Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The glistening lights sparkled in the Vegas heat. A light trickling of rain made the air smell...different, fresher maybe. Finally the crops can have some water.

After the dam had become fully functioning again it had been followed by a two year drought. Water restrictions were in place.

Hopefully not for long. Ada thought to herself as she sat down on her balcony chair. Cola in one hand. She just wanted to feel the rain trickling over her slightly deteriorating skin. The ghoul process had begun a long time ago. Shortly after she came to Vegas.

She wasn't scared of becoming a ghoul. Her friends and everyone in Vegas were pretty friendly towards them. Times had changed in the wasteland. She allowed her fingers to run over her skin before moving them up to her cheek.

Only specific places had begun to change. For the most part she looked mostly still smooth. She shook her head returning to feeling the rain fall on her.

It had been too long since she felt content and peaceful.

The door to her penthouse opened as 'C' walked into the room. He was mostly known as the Courier Six around these parts. Ada knew his real name. Drunk one night he had told her.

He moved around as she remained still just listening to rained trickling down. Pitter patters of water hitting off anything surrounding her. The lights of Vegas catching on the small droplets as they fell.

"That fucking snake Benny" He muttered opening a beer bottle slouching down beside her in a chair. "He's an asshole"

Ada chuckled looking over at him.
"Tell me something new, the guy shot you in the head C" she sipped on her cola "I don't even know why you let the guy work here...I would have just" she made a gun shape with her guns and a slight "poof" with her mouth before chucking.

"Would it make a difference? Would I feel any better because of it?" He replied

"Oh don't be coming up here acting all high and mighty C. Acting like you ain't done anything bad huh? You wiped out Caesars Legion. Assholes that they were, they thought they were right and you were wrong. To them you were the fuckin atom bomb all over again" Ada snapped pouring a small glass of bourbon out for herself.

"Why are you up here anyway? It's my night off" she murmured drinking a bit.

"Oh shit. Yes. We have two new people here. I need you to interview them. Yes I know it's your night off but these guys have paid in caps. Extra in fact, they're looking for someone. To be honest it's a ghoul and are you ready?" C stepped closer to her "a fucking vault dweller. One of your kooks" he chuckled pouring himself a drink.

"One. Not all of us are kooks. I'm pretty good. Got the looks, the sass and I'll shoot you in your fucking face if you wrong me" she snapped

"Mhm not kooky at all. You're right. Continue" he smirked at her.

"Two. Who are they looking for?" she asked C.

"Uh a guy. Prewar. Hank Maclean. Apparently he rocked up in power armor about a week ago?" C said putting his glass in the sink. "You up for the interview and finding them a room" she stared at him. A little pissed off. Her first night off in four months and it gets ruined by a fucking dweller. She let out a sigh.

"Fine I'll do it. But you owe me one C" she said firmly staring at him as he took off his coat. "Hey no no...you ain't staying here. Go back to your own place" she stated as he rolled his eyes.

"But you have a working hot shower" he groaned "mines still on the fritz"

"I don't care. It's sad enough I fuck you. You ain't showering here too" she chuckled opening the front door to her apartment.

"Okay that makes zero sense" he said picking up his coat.

"Eh I don't make the rules C" She said following him out of her penthouse and towards the elevator. She placed her cowboy hat on her head, her shimmering red locks parted and fell gently each side of her face.

"So what did Benny do anyway that pissed you off so much?" She asked pushing the elevator button. Her eyes glancing over at him.

"He's been taking from the registers and using it to gamble" C murmured as he pushed basement floor.

"The house aways wins" she chuckled as she turned around facing herself in the mirror. Prettying herself up. Her glowing green eyes reflecting back at her. Another thing that had changed.

The major thing really. The glowing aspect. A while back she had gone digging around in an abandoned vault looking for something they needed for purified water here. She found it but at the cost of slight radiation sickness. That subsided but left her with a 'glowing aura'

It was one thing that drew men to her. The eyes stared into their soul like she was a siren at sea claiming their souls.

The elevator door open as she exited, C gave her a soft slap on the ass as she trotted off.

"Good luck" he shouted as she turned back showing him her middle finger. A smile clung to her lips as she turned back around welcomed by Manny one of the security guards. He gave her a smile as she rummaged through paperwork. He handed her two sheets.

"Lucy Maclean and 'The Ghoul' also know as Cooper Howard" Ava rose an eyebrow

"As in the cowboy country movie star?" She murmured looking down at the paperwork. She groaned.

"Eh I'm sorry Misses A. Just doing my job" he said showing a small smile. His Canadian accent shining on through "you'll love the Ghoul though...he's grumpy and sassy. He'll definitely fuel that fire in your belly" he said handing me the holding cell keys. I peeked behind him seeing them both in separate cells,

"Eh I'll do her first then. Don't wanna get angsty with the vaulty" she chuckled moving past him. She moved down her hall. Her eyes looking up as she passed Howard's cell. Their eyes caught each other for a second as he shot up moving towards his cell door. His eyes clung to her like clue as she smiled and gave him a small nod. She reached Lucy's door and opened it.

"Hey there darlin. My name is Ada, I own half this place with C. You've met him already I assume?" She asked her. Lucy nodded pulling a strand of hair behind her ear. "Great! Well it's a pleasure to meet another Dweller. It's been....a long time. At least fifteen years" Ava said softly.

"Wait you're a vault dweller?" Lucy exclaimed her eyes glancing up at her.

"Yes...well a long time ago now. The wasteland is harsh" Ada opened the interview room door and let Lucy go inside first "would you like a drink? Tea? Coffee? Nuka Cola? Sunset Sarsaparilla?"

"Uh what's the sunset drink?" she said looking at her.

"It's like root beer, I don't know if you had that in your vault? That's the best way I can describe it to you" Ada said with a smile clinging to her mouth "personally it's not for me"

"Uh the Nuka Cola" Lucy spoke softly as she sat down at the interview table. Manny left the room to go and get them both a cola as Ava sat down opposite Lucy.

"Okay so I'm told you're here looking for someone?" Ada said softly "the man you speak of did enter Vegas, well at least someone in power armor did. Brotherhood rarely enter solo, usually a group. So I'm to assume this man is the man you're after" Ada took a few notes, taking a glimpse up at Lucy "care to tell me anything about the man in question?" She said leaning up holding her pen at the ready "I'll also need to know about..." she coughed repositioning "the man next door travelling with you" Ada smiled a soft and kind smile.

Lucy wriggled in her chair, her blue vault suit, slightly muddy and bloody. Aw nice as it was to see a fellow vaulty out in the world. It was a hard adjustment. Lucy was new. Ava could tell. She still had this innocent look about herself. She hadn't quite seen too much in the world. Ada had lost her father, watched him die. She had lost friends. It's why she decided to never love.

Her and C they were strictly friends with benefits. Everyone has needs and they understood that.

"The man is my father, he worked for Vault Tec before the war" Lucy paused "I'm not sure on all the details he ran off before I could get any sense of the truth...I want to find him. Find out the truth" Ava looked at Lucy "and kill him for killing my mother" Lucy finished. Ada’s eyes stared at her. She placed her pen on the table as the door knocked.

"Come in" Ada said as Manny brought in to drinks "Thanks hun" she said showing a kind smile.

"Um" Ada coughed "this just got deep, I completely understand revenge. Needing to know the truth. Trust me I've been there" Lucy cut he off.

"You have?" She asked

"Yes. My vault was located in Washington. Vault 101. My family was part of this team trying to bring purified water to the wasteland, but people wanted it for themselves and another purpose. The Enclave" Ada looked up from the paper at Lucy "so I destroyed them all" she said softly "killed them. The brotherhood of steel helped me. Shortly after that I came here..." Ada said. Her thoughts going back over that time. It felt so long ago. So long she had pushed it out of her mind.

"Is that how you became...you know" Lucy hinted at Ada turning. Ava chuckled.

"No I got that here a while ago, we needed something for the water filtering here. A vault nearby had the item, but the vault was highly radioactive. I thought I took the recommended medication but I was wrong. Somehow, I'm not undergoing full transformation yet. It's been a few years but for some it's slower, others faster..." Ada paused before shaking her.
"uh so I will go and talk to your friend. And I'll let you both know if you'll be allowed in and if so I'll sort your rooms out" Ada stood up picking up her paperwork.

"Before i leave. All I ask is make sure you know what you're doing. Killing someone isn't easy, especially someone so close to you...the wasteland which teach you that" Ada smiled softly before leaving the room. She closed the door behind her, before going up to Manny. She whispered

"I think these two will pass checks, grant a temporary passport to them. Two weeks I guess, full access" Ada said before moving up to the ghouls door. He was still leaning against the bars of his cell.

What was it with this guy. It's no way because he's a ghoul, she had met others. And it didn't feel like this. She took out her keys taking in a deep breath.

'Let's do this'

"Hello Mr Howard"

"How do you know my name missy?" He spoke huskily.

"Everyone knows you Coop, we had seven wanted bounty's here for you...anyway my name is Ada I'll be interviewing you today to see if you'll be given access to Vegas" she said moving towards the table.

A groan escaped him as he followed her with his eyes burning into her skin.

"Oh darlin' grant me full access" he murmured moving towards her. "Mmhmm aren't you something different. A ghoulish little devil with a human touch" She smiled trying to remain professional.

"Ah that old cowboy charm" She sat down "I've met a few like you" she smirked

"Oh sweetheart, you ain't met no one like me. I'm a different bucket of drugs" He slid into his chair tipping his hat up so his eyes clocked her. "Hot damn those eyes. Just burning your mark into my skin" Her cheeks blushed bright red. It had been a long time since a guy tried this hard. She didn't realise but she bitten down on her lip.

"So.." her voice trembled and broke slightly catching itself. She coughed and shook her head. "Sorry...so why are you here? What do you need the Vegas passport for?" She asked looking back over to him. He leaned back in his chair, his dirty long tench coat hung behind the chair. He lifted his leg crossing it over his other leg.

"Oh darlin' that vault dweller. I want some information from her dad" He said lighting a smoke.

"Busy man. You both want information" Ada said looking at Cooper. His brown burning eyes made her soul burn.

"Different information darlin. He knows where my daughter is...or what happened to her. And I need to know. Over two hundred years I need to know if she survived the bomb or not" He said dabbing his cigarette out on the table.

"Ah...yes you're from prewar. Fascinating guys. Only met one of you before. Another dweller. Well hers was pretty lousy. She got one of those experimental vaults. Terrible truly, husband, her and their baby. Locked away in cryogenic chambers. They were woken up half way. Baby taken, husband shot right there. Frozen again" Ava shook her head. "By the time she got freed her baby was old and had cancer. Met her when I travelled with the brotherhood for awhile" Ava took a sip of her cola. "I'm learning vault tec are trouble" Ada placed her cola down as Cooper leaned over the table and took a sip of her cola.

"Oh you do be tasting sweet" he winked at her "aren't you a vaulty?" He asked placing her cola down.

"I am. I'm from 101. Washington location. Thankfully mine was fairly normal...until it wasn't, but by the time I left and got back all hell had broken loose. People were dead, they were torturing people. People I knew. Grew up with. Loved..." She looked down "Anita...she was my best friend. From childhood until our teen years. She didn't make it. Her father allowed her die. HE..." she paused and realised she was getting angry. Her nails digging into the wooden table. Coopers eyes drifted to her nails in the table.

"Mmm a feisty little thing you are. Fresh little turning ghoul" he reached out and touched her skin, her hairs on her arms stood up. Like electricity. No one had made her feel like that, ever.

"I killed them all" his eyes shot to meet hers. "Every single one. I killed...that's when I realised the wasteland had me. I couldn't stay in the vault. There were a few survivors, they were innocent. I couldn't infect them" She stopped and pulled her hand back. She quickly stood up wiping a tear from her glowing eyes.

"Eh you both passed" she said softly "we only do these checks incase you're trouble"

"Oh darlin' I can be trouble if you want me to be trouble" Cooper grabbed her and pushed her against the wall. He moved close to her neck breathing her in. His breath was deep, heavy. She could feel his lips close to her skin.

"Oh hold on cowboy...I don't mix business and pleasure" She slid under him.

"Oh hunny...by the time I leave you'll know nothing but pleasure"

Once again her cheeks flushed red. These cowboys. She'd always heard about them, but it was known Cooper Howard was quite the charmer back in the day. She opened the door behind her and moved down the hall opening Lucy's door. She took the passports from Manny.

"So this is a two week passport. Full access. A penthouse, two separate rooms. I'll be at the end of the hall if you need anything, enjoy Vegas. And good luck with finding your dad" Ada said smiling at Lucy. She could still feel his eyes burning onto her skin. She handed them a keycard to the penthouse. Before heading off. She pushed and got into the elevator. As the doors closed she let out a heavy breath throwing her head back against the mirror behind her.

"Fucking cowboys"

Chapter Text

It was black and white themed night in the casino and bar. The rain continued on for a second day and there had been no sighting of Lucy or Cooper.

Ada worked in the bar tonight, it was pretty quiet. Everyone was in the casino and it was almost clocking two am. She sat in the corner of the bar fiddling with her pipboy.

Her hair tied back into a pin up look with her red curls falling down the side of her face. Her lips a bold crimson red.

"Alright pip-squeak" said C as he sat himself at the bar. She got up pouring his usual to him as his face dropped into the palms of his hands.

She leaned forward on her elbows showing a kind smile.

"What's up sugar?" She said sliding the drink to him.

"Just a long ass day" he said looking up at her taking a shot. She poured another "see the new guys yet?" Ada shook her head

"Nothing. I'm honestly surprised" she said gently "that Cooper was heavily flirting with me. Ugh I know I shouldn't...but I would" C laughed at her as she said it.

"Hey girl don't let me stop you. We both agreed it was open and if we found others we would. It's just sex darling. If you want to test drive him and you like it go for it" C replied "I want you to be happy Ada you're my best friend. You deserve it" his hand fell on hers.

"It's..." she paused "I can't explain it C. It was electric. Like he fuelled me. And yet I don't even know him, all I know is the bad stuff" She leaned closer and whispered.

"You're smitten" C chuckled as he raised his hand up to her cheek. "Allow yourself to feel again. Love again, the wasteland is rough enough without a little loving" He said moving over to the juke box. He slammed his hand into the side and selected a song. Turning around he smiled at her lifting his hand up. Luring her in to dance. She shook her head.

"Not happening" she laughed as Skeeter Davis - End of the world started playing. She lifted her head back. She loved this song. She rolled her eyes and moved out from behind the bar, taking C by the hand. He pulls her into his arms as they slowly dance.

"I knew we were never meant for each other" C said looking down at her "you're too wild. You can't be tamed, unless it's someone more wild than you. And if he's your one chance to experience happiness. I want you to do it Ada" She looked into his eyes. They both knew their deal was done. Only friends with benefits but it was years over.

‘wake-up in the morning, and I wonder
Why everything's the same as it was
I can't understand, no, I can't understand
How life goes on the way it does’

The music gently places softly as their body’s slowly dance close together. His hand on her lower back, the other holding her hand up.

"I will always love you. And I'll always be here for you. You're my best friend Ada" she laid her head on his chest as they slowly danced.

She looked up at him as they slowed, her free hand touching his cheek.

“I know I’m always harsh on you. But you’re my best friend too. Always will be and if it doesn’t work out with him, I’ll be right here waiting ready to console you” she said softly smirking with a wink as he leaned down and kissed her gently.

‘Don’t they know, it’s the end of the world’

He pulled back and slowly dipped her backwards as the song came to a close. He pulled her back up and spun her around before holding her lower back again.

‘It ended when you said…. Good-bye’

He pulled back from her, why did this feel like a breakup. It was only sex. He left her in the middle of the dance floor before finishing his drink.

“Time for bed darling. Don’t let these guys keep you up all night” he said slapping her ass leaving the room. He threw a wink at her as he opened the door.

The slap on the ass felt like a relief to her. He was still C. She smiled and looked down at the ground before moving back behind the bar.

The blast of trumpets filled the room as ‘ain’t that a kick in the head’ started playing. She lowered herself into her corner chair again taking a big swig of bourbon from the bottle. She knew C was right. It might be nothing or it might be something. She had to explore it.

She pulled the pipboy out putting on Grognak and the Ruby ruins on.

Hours had past and it was almost 5am. She had nodded off in her chair. The lights flickered before shutting off leaving her in darkness, just the simple glow of her pipboy lighting her face.

"Ada" multiple people whined and groaned her eyes flickered open. The brightness of her pipboy blinded her eyes.

“ADA!!” People screamed as she let out a yawn and a stretched. Her whole body clicking from the awkward angle of the chair, she rose to her feet.

“Ada the fuckin lights!” Another screamed

"Okay...jeez" she said moving out the back. She moved through the kitchen searching for the back door. She'd have to flip the circuit breaker. This had only happened once or twice in all her time here.

"Ada the lights. Ada can you work tonight...Ada Ada Ada" she muttered under her breath as she found the basement door.

Slowly lowering herself down the stairs to the room, she took a small jump landing on the floor, the sound of her heels clipping the floor.

She stepped through the room looking with the small glow of her pipboy for the breaker.

"And what do I get out of it...nothing" she looked around finding it on the wall. "Ah gotcha" she chuckled. She pulled the circuit down, as the lights flickered on above her. The sound of cheers above her. She shook her head smiling.

“Fucking gamblers” She mumbled closing the door to the circuit box. As she turned around she was greeted by Cooper. He was close to her. Super close. She could feel his body heat radiating off him. He wore his usual jeans and coat, his gun in his holster.

“Now” his voice husky as she took a step back hitting the wall. “You and that guy dancing’ you a thing?” His voice almost growled at her. His eyes staring deeper into hers as he looked down at her. She silently shook her head.

“Nnno” she paused “well we were fucking on the occasion but never dated. We knew it wouldn’t work. I’m too kooky for him” She stuttered “but we ended it” she said a little haunted.

Hold up why was she obeying him. She’s her own woman. He doesn’t own her yet.

She pushed him away from her.

“Not that it’s any of your business who I fuck” she snapped back at him moving past him. “You ain’t my daddy cowboy” she turned around to face him as he rushed towards her. Her back and head hitting off the fridge behind her. Dust falling off the rusty bucket behind her. His hand close to her throat, his nails digging into her skin.

“Oh darlin’ little you know” she smirked, he moved his lips close to her ears “you were mine the second my eyes clocked you” his breath was hot and heavy. “You will be mine…” he paused “you are mine” he nibbled on her ears which let a soft moan escape her lips.

‘Oh shit’ she thought to herself ‘this is something..’ the pit of her stomach felt like butterflies. Like she was a teenager with crazy hormones all over again. “Don’t you ever push me away again” this wasn’t Cooper talking. This was more feral. Hungry. This was ‘the ghoul’.

“You should get some sleep darlin’ you need that beauty sleep "she looked at him.

‘Kiss me…fucking kiss me you animal’ she couldn’t help but think to herself. She could just do it herself. Feel the heat. See if it’s more than just sexual chemistry. He slowly backed off from her and turned around to walk away.

‘Do it…stop being a baby’

She forced herself forward grabbing him by his arm turning him around. Both hands reaching up behind his neck, she practically yanked him down her level before planting a kiss on his lips. The softness surprised her before he started kissing her back. He stumbled forward pushing her up against the fridge again. His hands rushing through her hair. His fingers entwined with her hair strands as he growled as he softly bit down on her lip. Before the kiss broke off, he brought his hand up to his lips smirking. His tongue running over his lips.

“Think I have a new favourite flavour” he smirked before tipping his cowboy hat to her.
“Sweet dreams vaulty” he said before silently exiting the room leaving Ada pinned against the fridge still. She just stared at the door, her fingers brushing over her lips.

‘Uh oh…this is something’ she slowly brought herself to moving again before heading out the same door. Cooper was quick to move. She barely caught him as he got into the elevator. Their eyes meeting briefly one last time for the night as the doors closed on him. She just stood there watching. She could have followed. But where was the fun in that.

Chapter Text

Sweat gathered on her forehead as she wandered through the wasteland. The only way to deal with this frustration was to take it out on something that needed taking care of.

She’d heard rumours of a small raider group just outside of Vegas. Her sniper hung over her shoulder, two of her signature shotguns either side of her coat and a pistol in her holster.

She was wearing her jean shorts and knee high boots with a long jacket. Cooper would have a field day if he saw her.

Last nights events kept shooting through her head.

Cooper. And their exchange in the kitchen.

C and his openness to her seeing where things went with Cooper. She shook her head. So many feelings, but she knew one thing. Cooper was like jet. He made her fill with frill, frustration, energy. To be her true self. He fuelled her inner demons. Demons only she truly knew of.

She took out her canister full of water and took a sip. The Vegas heat was unbearable. She prayed for a small trickle of rain. She leaned against an old cabin wall fiddling with her pipboy.

Her head perked up when she heard voices. Men laughing. She turned off the radio taking out a vile of blood. Her own she had drained herself and splash it over her face before turning the corner.

‘Here it goes’

“Oh my god” she cried and pleaded “please can you help me” she forced tears down her cheeks.
“Please someone is trying to kill me” her desperate pleas got the four men’s attention as they watched her run over to them.

“I hit one of them but the others. Please help me” she begged as one of them moved closer.

“What’s goin on there missy?” One of them spoke up. He noticed her covered in blood and saw this as a great opportunity to take advantage.

“You know it’s gonna cost ya” another laughed

“A thousand caps and your weapons” said the main one.

“And yourself for us and our guys. Just a quick round up” another chuckled as he nudged one of the other men. The thought of any of them touching her revolted her to be honest.

“Okay yes. Fine. I’m out of ammo anyway. Just help me” they all rushed ahead of her. They were like dumb bullies. Not a brain cell in any of them.

“Where abouts are they” said another as she took out a radaway inhaler infused with jet, before she flipped her lens down to line them up. She took her shot guns out of her holsters. Holding them up to face them.

“Oh…there right here” they all stopped and paused before turning around slowly facing her. She stood with the sassy on stance smiling at the men. Her glowing green eyes shone brighter than any Vegas lights. She fired shots laughing manic ask they fumbled for their guns. All four men drop to the ground dead. Smoke clouded above her guns as she lifted one and blew it.

“Thanks for the help boys. You got them” she chuckled putting her guns away before hearing a thumping sound. She froze on the spot as the thumps got louder and louder. She slowly turned around. A tall shadowing monster stood tall in front of her.

“Deathclaw” she sobbed quietly slowly reaching down placing her hands on the guns. Her eyes stayed fixed on him as she pulled on them before he let out a huge roar. The force of the air blowing on her blew her hair manically as she turned around running. She held up her shotguns , taking shots at each moment she could. The monster stomping after her growling in his wake. Two shots hit his leg as she stumbled back falling against the dirt.

Panic filled her as she rolled over, her nails grabbing handfuls of sand and dirt as she scrambled to get back on her feet. The monster getting closer as she dragged herself back on her feet.

The monster clawing her leg leaving three open claw marks across her knee. She let out a cry, her scream that followed it echoed for miles, she heard it as she ran through the pain, she grabbed her pistols turning around taking one good shot through the eye. The monster clawing her stomach as he dropped to the ground. Another scream escaped her lips as she kicked the monsters head in anger. She let out a monstrous growl agony. She fell to the ground beside the monster grabbing her shotguns from the dirt. She put them away. She pulled back her coat seeing the blood stained shirt. She lifted up her shirt squinting at the pain as she saw the claw marks stretch across her stomach. Deep wounds. She shrugged off her coat and ripped her shirt. Tearing the shirt she made some temporary bandages covering her stomach and her leg, each tightening squeeze of the bandages to hold them in place.

She groaned as she reached out grabbing her backpack. Rustling through it she looked for a stimpak.

“FUCKKKKK” she cried out realising she had t brought any. She dragged herself to her feet putting her coat on. She only wore a bra under it. And her shorts. The blood trickling down her legs. She knew she looked a mess. She picked up her bag and struggled, starting her long walk back to Vegas. She wasn’t far. Only about ten minutes.

The sun had lowered and she was cold. The Nevada desert got very cold at night. An ten minute walk took a lot longer with the hobbling. She whimpered and cried as she approached the gates. Her tears rolling down her cheeks as she lifted her passport to the scanner of the gates. A green light bleeped as she entered through the gates.

She let out a whimper as she pushed the casino doors open. Stumbling through she saw C sat at the bar with Cooper and Lucy.

‘Fuck’ she thought to herself before dropping to the ground passing out.

The echos of her name being called by everyone there. A slight tapping on her cheek.

“Wake the fuck up” C cried

Cooper leaned down opening her coat. His face turned as he saw the claw marks. Anger filled him.

“She’s as good as dead. Look at her. Look at how much blood is here” Cooper spat angrily looking at her body.

“Get a fucking doctor!” Lucy called out “we need a doctor.

-------------

The bleeping sounds were the first thing she heard, her eyes fluttering open to the bright lights above her. She lifted her hand up seeing a needle in her arm leading up to a few different IV bags.

She groaned as she pulled herself up, she found herself at the NCR hospital. Not far from them. She was slightly confused as she looked around. What had happened. Confusion fogged her brain as she rubbed her eyes. Seeing Cooper asleep to her left and C asleep to her right.

“Oh god let me sleep again” she whined before C woke up.

“Ada …” he smiled placing his hands on her cheeks “are you ok? What the fuck was you doing?” He was mad.

“I was killing raiders” she said trying to remember what exactly had happened. “Fucking…raiders!!!!” He snarled pushing his chair back “raiders don’t do this” he ripped the bedsheet from her lifting the stomach bandage. “That’s not a fucking raider Ada. Don’t bullshit me” she snapped

“Why don’t you give her a break” Cooper said waking up “girls been comatose for one week. Give her a chance.” He said defending Ada.

“You can go fuck yourself! You’ve been here two minutes…I’ve been here fifteen fucking years” C snapped at Cooper “acting like she’s your fucking wife. You’re here everyday. All fucking day. You haven’t even fucked her and you’re acting like she’s yours” C shook his head throwing his fist through the glass window. “Fuck this” he muttered leaving the room.

Ada had no idea what was going on. Whatever drugs she was on had sent her loopy. She groaned reaching up grabbing the glass of water. The sound of

Gulp
Gulp
Gulp

Filled the small space as she pulled the glass away from her lips she let out a gasp. A happy gasp.

“A deathclaw” she murmured

“What?” He snarled

“I was attacked by a deathclaw. I got him though” she said moving to get more comfortable “I was fighting the raiders” she said leaning on her side to face Cooper as she laid her head back on the pillow “got them by the way” she chucked “but then he was just there. I got him and he got me” she groaned

“That’s my girl” Cooper chucked “you had me worried there. So…so much blood. I was certain you were dead” his eyes shot to hers “I couldn’t get your blood off me for days. That’s why I was here. I needed to know you were ok and not the blood that remained on my hands for failing you” his voice was soft, haunted as he stared at his hands. She reached out and put her hand in his. She gave a soft squeeze.

“Coop?” Her voice was soft as his eyes came back to her “I’m ok” she leaned forward and kissed his hands softly “I’m alive” she reassured him as her eyes fluttered shut. Another hit of

Chapter Text

Two weeks had passed, Ada was back up on her feet normally but to the best she could be. She hadn't seen C since the outburst. Lucy and Cooper had helped her, gotten meds for her, food, kept her wounds clean.

She was still mad at herself. It was clear now C had deeper feelings. How could she not see them. Maybe she didn't want to see them. Seeing them would admit there was another level to their friendship that was never explored.

She pulled herself up out her bed as she moved out into the hall of her penthouse. The soft sound of the record player playing 'Johnny guitar'

She pulled herself glass doors opening sitting out on the balcony. She pulled the blanket over her snuggling down. It was raining again and she just sat there in silence listening to the rain fall. Left alone to her thoughts. Each day they passed the darker they got.

She had many regrets and yet the more of a pull she felt to Cooper. They hadn't done anything since that night in the kitchen with the kiss.
Being so wounded probably wasn't helping that fact. Her hand softly placed on her stomach as she listen to the rain fall down.

The door to her penthouse opened as Lucy came in with a bottle of bourbon.

"Fancy a drink?" She asked sitting beside me "I could really use someone to talk to. Coopers run off" She said pouring out two glasses.

"Where to?" Ada asked taking the glass from Lucy .

"We met my dad today, he had no information ." Lucy said with a saddened look on her face.

Ada looked down "losing family is one of the worst feelings Lucy. You know that, I know that" Ada said softly "Coop. He's like me, we handle our pain, our confusion, our emotions and feelings in one way. The only way the wasteland has taught us. To kill" she paused sipping on her drink "give him time. Trust me. He'll be back" Ada said repositioning. Her wounds still tender in certain positions.

"He likes you" Lucy said sipping on her drink before looking back at Ada

"He likes you too...which says a lot as he doesn't like many" Ada chuckled

"No I mean he really likes you" she was firmer with her words. Lucy was talking serious. Ada looked back to her letting out a sigh of frustration.

"I think I like him too" Ada laughed "god it's so dumb, we don't even know each other. I mean I know him. Everyone knows Cooper or his known alias, the ghoul" Ada shook her head "but he doesn't know me. I've done things Lucy, bad things. And that's how I know me and Cooper are the same. We've both done things" Ada paused and looked down at the floor twiddling the ring on her finger. It was her mother's, her father had given it to her just before he died.

"We've all done things" Lucy was just trying to help but Ada's mind set had been gone awhile.

"Lucy you have so much to learn and experience. I've killed thousands of people. And the sad thing is, I'd do it all again. I feel guilt but not regrets. Because in those cases it was me or people I loved verses the bad guy, and the bad guy always wins Lucy unless you prove otherwise" Ada placed her glass down on the table beside her.
Lucy rose to her feet picking up her backpack.

“Well…” she put it around her shoulders staring down at Ada. Ada seemed so lost, so confused, a spark within her faded or lost since Lucy first met her. I guess coming face to face with death will do that to you.

“We’re leaving. The second Cooper gets back…so I thank you for letting us stay here, but I need to go back home” she said moving inside her livingroom area. Ada followed dropping her blanket behind her. Suddenly everything woke up. Fear bubbled in her stomach.

‘Wait leaving’

Cooper…

“Y’all are leavin?” Ada stuttered as she hobbled along chasing her

“Coop deserves the world Ada. He lost his and now he needs to find himself again” Lucy opened her front door. Lucy suddenly changed her tune. Going from ‘oh he likes you’ to this.

“We’ve all lost something Lucy…we all want love. But can you tell him to come see me before you leave” Lucy shot her a look

“I don’t think I will. I know you both like each other. But I just don’t think you’ll be healthy for each other” Lucy said softly

“You ain’t my fucking mother Lucy. We’re both grown ups and have many fuckin years on your ass. I’ll see and fuck whoever I want” Ada snarled. And there it was again. That monster burned inside her. Adas nailed dog into the door before she slammed it in Lucy’s face.

Ada stormed into her bathroom, anger fuelling her to the point the pain was nothing compared to her anger. She ripped the door of the medicine cabinet off taking out a radaway infused inhaler. She drew in a big breath feeling it hitting her lungs, her eyes staring right back at her in the mirror. She could see the fury burning. She wanted to rip her pretty little head off her head. A growl escaping her lips.

“No” she screamed her hands grabbing the side of the sink. It’s like anger fuels the inner ghoul. Tears burned as they rolled over her cheeks. The thought of never seeing Cooper again broke her. Her heart felt like it shattered into a million pieces. The last night she felt like this was when she watched her father die in front of her.

“I can’t do this…hundreds of years of feeling this pain” She sobbed as she fell to her knees, tears just rolling over her cheeks. She picked up another inhaler off the floor.

‘Turbo’

She was saving this for the just incase. Just incase she wanted to end it all. It was a special recipe her and C had made, one each for the worst case scenario. She rose to her feet moving out into the livingroom. She turned on the record player placing ‘end of the world’ on the spinner.

If there was ever a sweeter way to go it was this way. She danced to herself swaying in the dim candle light.

Her mother gone

Her father gone

C was gone

Cooper was gone

The ghoul within her craved for attention. Depression filled her dark soul.

“I couldn’t even kill a fucking deathclaw” she screamed throwing Lucy’s shot glass at the wall “I’m fucking useless” she broke down

“It’s the end of the world” she sobbed as she dropped to her knees staring down at the needle, with a sharp breath she shoved it in her arm. Pushing the injection. She winced slightly before her body fell limp dropping to the side. Her eyes glanced over to the tv. Her body feeling almost numb and still.

‘A man and his dog’ was playing. Cooper wearing that darn cowboy hat, left a small smile on her face.

“Wish i could have known you” she drooled as her eyes fluttered shut. The dim sound of Skeeter Davis faded into nothing.

Chapter Text

BANG

BANG

Ana's eyes shot open, she found herself on the livingroom floor. Her head slightly foggy, but not foggy enough. She sadly still remembered everything from before. Her and Lucy's two still fuelled a firey pit. The static from her tv reading

'please wait'

She groaned as she leaned up slightly, her eyes dropping to the needle beside her.

"Fucking hell...couldn't let me do it could ya" she groaned before feeling the urge to throw up. The sound of banging coming from her door.

"It's open" she shouted running to the bathroom. The sound of her vomiting was the only sound coming from her room. She heard the door close as she wiped her mouth of a towel hanging off the  tub.  Her head hanging over the toilet. I guess the ghoul in her said no to death today.

"Lucy if it's you. Fuck off!!" She shouted still feeling the anger she felt before "Eh probably want him all for yourself" Ana chuckled before hurling once again. The violent sounds coming from her had been similar to her first hangover.

"Well look at this" His voice could cut butter if he tried. His accent melted her soul as her head shot up.

"You didn't leave?" She said flushing the toilet. She definitely didn't need him seeing that.

"I couldn't do it" he said "I just couldn't" his eyes met hers as she slowly rose to her feet. "You ok darlin?" He said softly hinting at the toilet.

"Uh...best not to ask that right now..." she paused "I kinda...snapped at Lucy. Went a little feral. She should be lucky I didn't rip her apart" Ana snapped as she took a glass and filled it with water.

"Yes...she told me" Coop said softly tilting his hat up. His arm leaning against the doorway of her bathroom "she thought you were going to kill her" he chuckled

"She ain't worth my energy that I do have. Fucking vault dwellers. Always thinking they're better than the rest of us. Just because she's had a sheltered upbringing. I get it. But her..." Ana growled. She shook her head.

"Does this happen a lot?" He asked "the anger. I know it's the ghoul complex but how often do you get angry" he questioned her as she moved past him.

"Oddly enough. Rarely until you guys showed up. Now I just have this burning constantly, so many feelings and I can't handle them" Ana slouched on the sofa. She kicked her feet up onto the table. Coop moved over to her record player. Flicking through her music.

"Got some good taste here" He said taking out a track.

"eh years of collecting while travelling" she said throwing her head back watching him "why are you even here Cooper? Shouldn't you be taking your vault dweller back home?" She said watching him put the record on. Her tone dry, she couldn't care less for Lucy or maybe that was the anger talking.

'In the still of the night - The Five Satins'

One of her favourite songs. He grabbed a bottle of bourbon off the side with two glasses before moving and sitting beside her.

"Enough of any of that" he said softly brushing his gloved leather fingers over her cheek. Her eyes closed as she focused on the touch. Comforting.

"Tell me about yourself Vaulty. I hear we don't know much about each other. So you talk, and I'll talk" he said with smirk before pouring out two glasses of bourbon. She looked up at him.

That's why he stayed? For story time. She rolled her eyes.

"Hey enough of that girly or I won't spill" he said handing her a glass.

"Whatcha wanna know?" She asked simply before taking a sip, the taste revolted her right after throwing up. But if this was about to happen, she was going to need it.

They both sat in simple candle light as the flames flickered with the cool breeze blowing in from the rain outside. She pulled a blanket over herself. She only wore a skimpy white night dress, the chill caught her legs.

"Everything start from the vault. What was your mother and father like? What was the vault like?" He asked lighting a smoke passing it to her before lighting his own.

"Uh my mother died during childbirth. So I only know what my father told me" She smiled leaning over picking up her pipboy. "I have two photos of them" she scrolled through her photos both photos were of her mother pregnant and her father.

"She's beautiful" he said in a gentle tone "you definitely have her eyes" Ana chuckled

"I have no one's eyes anymore. They're custom made" she said placing her pipboy down on the side taking a drag of the smoke.

"I'm sorry to hear about your mother" he said ins sympathetic tone, his free hand on her leg.

"It's okay. It's been a long time now. My father he's the one who haunts my dreams. She murmured softly "he was a wise man, so kind and soft. All he wanted was for the people to have clean water" she chuckled "although we all knew that was just the beginning" she looked down running her fingers over his picture on her pipboy.

"What happened?" She looked up to Cooper as he got up changing the song.

'Mr Lonely - Bobby Vinton'

"The Enclave. They also wanted it. My dad ended up locking himself inside so they couldn't turn it off or shut it down. Only one other person had the plans" she pointed to herself "me. I brought them everywhere I went with the brotherhood. Brought clean water. My last adventure was Massachusetts. Met some crazy sss people there. Loved it" she smiled as her eyes dropped to the floor. Tears burning as she tried to hold them back. Cooper moved back beside her as he handed her another smoke.

"What happened to the Enclave? I rarely hear about them now" Her head popped up with his question. Her breath parting from her lips, almost frozen in time as to how she could tell him she was little ruthless killer.

"I killed them" She suddenly spouted "all of them. Some I shot. Some dogmeat ate.  But for the most part. I blew them up" she shook her head "they were sick fucks. All they wanted was to clear the wasteland of anything that wasn't pure. Supermutants, raiders, monsters that do this" she pointed to herself scars "ghouls" she finally she as she looked back up to Cooper.

"I hadn't changed then, I was still fresh out of the vault but even I knew that wasn't right. He wanted to use my fathers plans as a weapon, I couldn't allow that. My father wouldn't have allowed it. And that's the reason he died" She said pausing. She shit back the last of her drink. Her throwing back with it. She moved the cigarette up to her lips as Cooper lit it.

"Sounds like you've been through a lot vaulty" he said softly smiling a sympathetic smile at her. She rose up moving over to the record player.

"That's just a small part" she said running her fingers over the records.

'Can't take my eyes off  you - Frankie Valle' placing on the record. It was the song her father said reminded him of her mother.

She slowly swayed as the music began. Cooper chuckled as he looked over to her. She was gorgeous in the candle light, her eyes glowing as she slowly danced to herself in the slight darkness.

Cooper rose up catching her hand as he swung them both around his neck. His hands on her hips as they slowly danced.
He hadn't danced with another in almost two hundred years. She placed her head on his chest.

"The ghoul process" She said softly "is it painful?" She asked softly worrying for her future.

"A bit darlin' drugs helped" He replied softly worrying as he tilted her chin up to his gaze "but I'll help you through it" his tone was soft, his whole personality had been calm and soft to her all evening.

"So what's your story?" She asked him softly as he pulled away. He turned away from her without saying a word. She knew she'd screwed up but it was only fair. She had told him a bit about her. She stood there watching him down a few shots.

"Sorry if I stepped on some toes" she stumbled on her words a little anxious.

Holy fuck

What has happened to her. She was worrying if she'd offended him. She sounds so clingy and concerned. She was going soft and apart of her hated that. She was known for being spicy, sassy, a take no shit kinda gal.

"You don't have to be sorry" he finally said looking back at her. She stood there still just staring at him "it's been a long time since I spoke about it properly" He said lowering himself onto the sofa. "My wife.." he stopped "ex wife...she worked for Vault-Tec. They dropped the bomb. The big one" he stopped "both times. Prewar and technically Shady Sands" he shrugged "my ex took my daughter, they went into a Vault" she stopped as he lit his smoke. The lighter glowing up his face so she could see those gorgeous blue eyes. "The bitch...she had me knocked out. They locked me out!" His teeth were gritted. He www angry, very angry.

"Oh my god..." Ana was shocked "She left you to die! What ... the ...fuck" her words were slow as she stood shocked and sickened "Oh boy. God help it if someone did that to me. Oh I would fight to stay alive, just so I could find them and kill then!" She growled in anger, her defensive walls up.

"Exactly my plan sugar" He said taking a shot, her eyes looked at him.

"Let me help!" She responded without even thinking twice about it "let me help you find your daughter..." She said sitting down beside him. Her eyes meeting his gaze.

"You don't—

She cut him off by raising her finger to his lips.

"Oh but I do" she said showing an elvish smirk "Someone in this goddamn shithole of a world deserves to take responsibility. Too many Vault-Tec assholes ruined people’s lives. Took their futures before they’d even started. Children. Families. Those who couldn’t make it to a vault” She felt herself becoming angry again. Fuelled by madness.

“If you’re sure?” Cooper responded

“I just need to find someone suitable and not dumb to watch the casino. With C gone” she turned trying to think. “I guess I could ask Liza. She owes me”

Cooper coughed

“Before you do that” He huffed “I have something I need to tell you. Don’t be mad” She glared at him. He went dead silent.

“Well spit it out!” She snarled

“C is here. I told him you…you died from
your injury’s” her face flushed red and not the good kind

“WHAT!!!” She stood up moving away from Cooper “you…you told him I”…

“DIED!!!!” She was beyond angry. She super fucked off. She grabbed her duster off the hook and covered herself. Grabbing her boots she pushed them on ignoring every single sharp pain. She pointed at Cooper.

“We ain’t done here!” She glared. Glowing may her eyes be but you could see the fury burning.

“Sugar I’m sorry- she cut him off

“I don’t wanna hear it!” She opened her penthouse door slamming it behind her. She walked down the hall way. Practically slamming her fist into the down button. She left a slight dent in the wall.

“Fucking … dead” she grumbled as the doors opened. Her reflection catching her eyes back at her. She was indeed angry. Scary angry. Okay Cooper hadn’t made her totally soft.

Chapter Text

BANG

BANG

Ada's eyes shot open, she found herself on the livingroom floor. Her head slightly foggy, but not foggy enough. She sadly still remembered everything from before. Her and Lucy's two still fuelled a firey pit. The static from her tv reading

'please wait'

She groaned as she leaned up slightly, her eyes dropping to the needle beside her.

"Fucking hell...couldn't let me do it could ya" she groaned before feeling the urge to throw up. The sound of banging coming from her door.

"It's open" she shouted running to the bathroom. The sound of her vomiting was the only sound coming from her room. She heard the door close as she wiped her mouth of a towel hanging off the tub. Her head hanging over the toilet. I guess the ghoul in her said no to death today.

"Lucy if it's you. Fuck off!!" She shouted still feeling the anger she felt before "Eh probably want him all for yourself" Ana chuckled before hurling once again. The violent sounds coming from her had been similar to her first hangover.

"Well look at this" His voice could cut butter if he tried. His accent melted her soul as her head shot up.

"You didn't leave?" She said flushing the toilet. She definitely didn't need him seeing that.

"I couldn't do it" he said "I just couldn't" his eyes met hers as she slowly rose to her feet. "You ok darlin?" He said softly hinting at the toilet.

"Uh...best not to ask that right now..." she paused "I kinda...snapped at Lucy. Went a little feral. She should be lucky I didn't rip her apart" Ana snapped as she took a glass and filled it with water.

"Yes...she told me" Coop said softly tilting his hat up. His arm leaning against the doorway of her bathroom "she thought you were going to kill her" he chuckled

"She ain't worth my energy that I do have. Fucking vault dwellers. Always thinking they're better than the rest of us. Just because she's had a sheltered upbringing. I get it. But her..." Ana growled. She shook her head.

"Does this happen a lot?" He asked "the anger. I know it's the ghoul complex but how often do you get angry" he questioned her as she moved past him.

"Oddly enough. Rarely until you guys showed up. Now I just have this burning constantly, so many feelings and I can't handle them" Ana slouched on the sofa. She kicked her feet up onto the table. Coop moved over to her record player. Flicking through her music.

"Got some good taste here" He said taking out a track.

"eh years of collecting while travelling" she said throwing her head back watching him "why are you even here Cooper? Shouldn't you be taking your vault dweller back home?" She said watching him put the record on. Her tone dry, she couldn't care less for Lucy or maybe that was the anger talking.

'In the still of the night - The Five Satins'

One of her favourite songs. He grabbed a bottle of bourbon off the side with two glasses before moving and sitting beside her.

"Enough of any of that" he said softly brushing his gloved leather fingers over her cheek. Her eyes closed as she focused on the touch. Comforting.

"Tell me about yourself Vaulty. I hear we don't know much about each other. So you talk, and I'll talk" he said with smirk before pouring out two glasses of bourbon. She looked up at him.

That's why he stayed? For story time. She rolled her eyes.

"Hey enough of that girly or I won't spill" he said handing her a glass.

"Whatcha wanna know?" She asked simply before taking a sip, the taste revolted her right after throwing up. But if this was about to happen, she was going to need it.

They both sat in simple candle light as the flames flickered with the cool breeze blowing in from the rain outside. She pulled a blanket over herself. She only wore a skimpy white night dress, the chill caught her legs.

"Everything start from the vault. What was your mother and father like? What was the vault like?" He asked lighting a smoke passing it to her before lighting his own.

"Uh my mother died during childbirth. So I only know what my father told me" She smiled leaning over picking up her pipboy. "I have two photos of them" she scrolled through her photos both photos were of her mother pregnant and her father.

"She's beautiful" he said in a gentle tone "you definitely have her eyes" Ana chuckled

"I have no one's eyes anymore. They're custom made" she said placing her pipboy down on the side taking a drag of the smoke.

"I'm sorry to hear about your mother" he said ins sympathetic tone, his free hand on her leg.

"It's okay. It's been a long time now. My father he's the one who haunts my dreams. She murmured softly "he was a wise man, so kind and soft. All he wanted was for the people to have clean water" she chuckled "although we all knew that was just the beginning" she looked down running her fingers over his picture on her pipboy.

"What happened?" She looked up to Cooper as he got up changing the song.

'Mr Lonely - Bobby Vinton'

"The Enclave. They also wanted it. My dad ended up locking himself inside so they couldn't turn it off or shut it down. Only one other person had the plans" she pointed to herself "me. I brought them everywhere I went with the brotherhood. Brought clean water. My last adventure was Massachusetts. Met some crazy sss people there. Loved it" she smiled as her eyes dropped to the floor. Tears burning as she tried to hold them back. Cooper moved back beside her as he handed her another smoke.

"What happened to the Enclave? I rarely hear about them now" Her head popped up with his question. Her breath parting from her lips, almost frozen in time as to how she could tell him she was little ruthless killer.

"I killed them" She suddenly spouted "all of them. Some I shot. Some dogmeat ate. But for the most part. I blew them up" she shook her head "they were sick fucks. All they wanted was to clear the wasteland of anything that wasn't pure. Supermutants, raiders, monsters that do this" she pointed to herself scars "ghouls" she finally she as she looked back up to Cooper.

"I hadn't changed then, I was still fresh out of the vault but even I knew that wasn't right. He wanted to use my fathers plans as a weapon, I couldn't allow that. My father wouldn't have allowed it. And that's the reason he died" She said pausing. She shit back the last of her drink. Her throwing back with it. She moved the cigarette up to her lips as Cooper lit it.

"Sounds like you've been through a lot vaulty" he said softly smiling a sympathetic smile at her. She rose up moving over to the record player.

"That's just a small part" she said running her fingers over the records.

'Can't take my eyes off you - Frankie Valle' placing on the record. It was the song her father said reminded him of her mother.

She slowly swayed as the music began. Cooper chuckled as he looked over to her. She was gorgeous in the candle light, her eyes glowing as she slowly danced to herself in the slight darkness.

Cooper rose up catching her hand as he swung them both around his neck. His hands on her hips as they slowly danced.
He hadn't danced with another in almost two hundred years. She placed her head on his chest.

"The ghoul process" She said softly "is it painful?" She asked softly worrying for her future.

"A bit darlin' drugs helped" He replied softly worrying as he tilted her chin up to his gaze "but I'll help you through it" his tone was soft, his whole personality had been calm and soft to her all evening.

"So what's your story?" She asked him softly as he pulled away. He turned away from her without saying a word. She knew she'd screwed up but it was only fair. She had told him a bit about her. She stood there watching him down a few shots.

"Sorry if I stepped on some toes" she stumbled on her words a little anxious.

Holy fuck

What has happened to her. She was worrying if she'd offended him. She sounds so clingy and concerned. She was going soft and apart of her hated that. She was known for being spicy, sassy, a take no shit kinda gal.

"You don't have to be sorry" he finally said looking back at her. She stood there still just staring at him "it's been a long time since I spoke about it properly" He said lowering himself onto the sofa. "My wife.." he stopped "ex wife...she worked for Vault-Tec. They dropped the bomb. The big one" he stopped "both times. Prewar and technically Shady Sands" he shrugged "my ex took my daughter, they went into a Vault" she stopped as he lit his smoke. The lighter glowing up his face so she could see those gorgeous blue eyes. "The bitch...she had me knocked out. They locked me out!" His teeth were gritted. He www angry, very angry.

"Oh my god..." Ana was shocked "She left you to die! What ... the ...fuck" her words were slow as she stood shocked and sickened "Oh boy. God help it if someone did that to me. Oh I would fight to stay alive, just so I could find them and kill then!" She growled in anger, her defensive walls up.

"Exactly my plan sugar" He said taking a shot, her eyes looked at him.

"Let me help!" She responded without even thinking twice about it "let me help you find your daughter..." She said sitting down beside him. Her eyes meeting his gaze.

"You don't—

She cut him off by raising her finger to his lips.

"Oh but I do" she said showing an elvish smirk "Someone in this goddamn shithole of a world deserves to take responsibility. Too many Vault-Tec assholes ruined people’s lives. Took their futures before they’d even started. Children. Families. Those who couldn’t make it to a vault” She felt herself becoming angry again. Fuelled by madness.

“If you’re sure?” Cooper responded

“I just need to find someone suitable and not dumb to watch the casino. With C gone” she turned trying to think. “I guess I could ask Liza. She owes me”

Cooper coughed

“Before you do that” He huffed “I have something I need to tell you. Don’t be mad” She glared at him. He went dead silent.

“Well spit it out!” She snarled

“C is here. I told him you…you died from
your injury’s” her face flushed red and not the good kind

“WHAT!!!” She stood up moving away from Cooper “you…you told him I”…

“DIED!!!!” She was beyond angry. She super fucked off. She grabbed her duster off the hook and covered herself. Grabbing her boots she pushed them on ignoring every single sharp pain. She pointed at Cooper.

“We ain’t done here!” She glared. Glowing may her eyes be but you could see the fury burning.

“Sugar I’m sorry- she cut him off

“I don’t wanna hear it!” She opened her penthouse door slamming it behind her. She walked down the hall way. Practically slamming her fist into the down button. She left a slight dent in the wall.

“Fucking … dead” she grumbled as the doors opened. Her reflection catching her eyes back at her. She was indeed angry. Scary angry. Okay Cooper hadn’t made her totally soft.

Chapter Text

Ada’s eyes fluttered a few times as she stretched out on her bed in a starfish motion. Her hands grabbing the bedsheets beneath her and she let out a squeak of a yawn. Her hand pressed against several sides of the bed before she shot up straight.

Cooper was gone.

Her eyes gave a quick glance around the room before she got up slowly walking out into the livingroom. She looked to the kitchen seeing his topless cooking up something on the stove.

“You cook too” she said suddenly making him jump. He reached out grabbing his gun pointing in her direction. She lifted her hands up sharpish.

“Whoa…it’s me” she quickly whipped up watching him pointing the gun at her.

“You shouldn’t creep up on a guy like me sweetheart” he lowered his gun and she saw the coffee pot behind him steaming.

“No way…is…that…coffee” she said giving the air a whiff. It smelled different to the usual stuff they had. “Is that hazelnut?” She hummed moving closer grabbing a mug off the side pouring some out.

“Oh yeah. Your buddy has a..” he paused watching her down the hot coffee. “He has a stash of good stuff. I got some cram - represents bacon” he hummed closing his eyes “fuck I miss bacon” he murmured before brining himself back to reality. “Uh yeah…also pork and beans here and they had some chickens with eggs so I pinched a few” he said dishing it up into a plate.

Ada nodded along pouring out another cup of coffee.

“This is better than sex. Fuckkk!!” She moaned sitting down at the kitchen bar, her legs dangling over the stool.

“Fuck vaulty. If that’s better than sex you’ve been doing sex wrong” he said sliding a plate over to her, she grabbed her fork like a ravenous beast. Her fork scooping up the pork and beans. Another moan escaping her lips.

“Fuck why does everything taste so good today” she whined drinking more coffee.

“Maybe slow down darlin’ you’re acting like you’ve smoke a joint or pot” her chuckled

“What’s pot?” She asked looking up at him continuing eating as her brain drew a blank.

“Uhh it’s still around sweetheart. If you haven’t come across it I’ll be surprised. You’ve travelled all over. But it makes you have a happy buzz, hungry, horny” he paused looking at her.

“Eh who knows” she shrugged finishing off her plate “or maybe it’s the fact I haven’t eaten in two days” she continued with a cheeky smile.

“Two days?” He questioned

“Eh it’s been a long couple of days Coop”

“Bout to get longer” he said taking a drag on his smoke “hence the breakfast. Now I’m gonna go buy us some ammo and chems for the travel” he said doing up his shirt. A saddening sight for her.

He placed his cowboy hat on giving her a nod.

“Ooh don’t forget snacks and water… and-

“Booze yeah I gotcha sugar. Get ready” he laughed closing the door behind her. She jumped off the stool heading into the bathroom.

“Shower time” she said turning on the radio.

‘Wouldn’t it be nice if we were older’ played the Beach Boys. She took off her nighty staring down at herself in the mirror. Her naked body covered in old scars. New scars. The blood stained on her skin from the newer stitching. She softly and slowly undone the bandaging revealing the fresh wounds.

“Ah looking better” she tried reassuring herself. Her eyes shot down checking her leg scratched.

It was healed, rough dry wrinkled skin covered it. Tears filled her eyes as she lifted her leg up onto the toilet. Her fingers running over it. She must’ve spent a good twenty minutes just staring at the healed ghoulish scarring.

She didn’t hear Coop return. Stuck in her own world. Her fingers just running back and forth. Many scars had healed normally. But it had been over a year since something ghoulish happened to her.

“Is that new darlin’?” He asked causing her to jump. She spun around staring at him. She battled her tears.

“Ye…yeah” she stuttered slightly “it’s very new” she said going pale in the face.

“Any other scars suddenly healed?” He questioned her. She shook her head.

“N-no I’m okay!” She said trying to reassure him and herself “probably too much radaway”

“Yeah…probably” he didn’t have half the assurance in his voice that she tried to force. She shook herself down.

“Shooo. I’m gonna shower” she brushed it off trying to contain some dignity and self respect. She wasn’t a ghoul yet.

He raised his hands “If you’re sure. But I do prefer to watch” he said boldly as she turned on the shower giving it time to heat up. “You’ve seen me naked now. Isn’t that enough” she whined but it somehow came off cute to Cooper.

“I just wanna get this blood off me and freshen up before we hit the road” She turned up the radio louder before stepped inside the shower pulling the curtain across. Cooper hesitant backed off out of the room. A soft whimper escaped his lips as she felt the hot water dribble over her skin.

It was almost midday when they set off, C had come to cheer her off at the gate. She bent down to pick up her backpack up as Cooper raced her to it.

“While that’s still soft you ain’t carrying anything love” he said softly carrying it on his back with a smirk at her. She huffed leaning back up putting her hands on her hips.

“I’m perfectly capable to carry stuff” she said with a sassy little tone. It drove Cooper wild. Oh how much he wanted to go feral on her.

“Ada! I almost forgot” C called out as she turned around “you guys are gonna need some protection to the things you can sense” he said releasing Rex.

Ada bent down, her stitches pulling slightly.

“Heyy boy!” She said in a soppy cute tone “how ya been buddy”

Ada adored Rex. Had travelled with him many times. The immortal robot dog. Always a good at the snuggles and protecting.

“Are you sure C? I know you love him” She said hoping he really meant it.

“Go for it. And be safe ok?” He moved in for a hug slipping her a pocket purse into her pocket.
“Just some caps to tick you over, incase you get into trouble” he kissed her cheek before heading back to the gate “remember Cooper. I want my business partner back in one piece” he shouted. Cooper just gave him a two tingle salute.

Ada was a little excited. She hadn’t been on the road properly in so long. She barely leaves The Strip anymore. They headed off towards the mountains.

“Right my little pre ghoul” Coop chuckled “we should be able to get at least to the top or over the mountains by dark. We’ll find somewhere to camp up there” he said as they strutted off. She took one last look back at Vegas. Rain began to drip as the clouds rushed in over them stealing away the sunlight from them.

“Oh golly gosh…climbing a mountain soaking wet. We’re gonna freeze tonight” Ada added.

They did indeed mAdage to climb over the mountain and reach the other side by dark. The hard part was over. It was all flat walking from here. Nothing but a few roaches along the way. The had mAdaged to come across a small shack, two abandoned sleeping bags inside. Cooper had mAdaged to make a fire pit and was cooking out some pork and beans. She had a feeling she was gonna be bored of them by the time they were done with this trip.

Ada lit the old lamps in the shack, only two worked. She picked up her backpack and took out a long overgrown shirt. It was an old relic from the pre war days. Think they called it football.

She took off her leather jacket hanging it up some a thin string line outside the shack, followed by her jean shorts and crop top. They needed to dry and it was still a little drizzly. The line was under a barely standing smaller shack, no doors and two walls. Hopefully it gave them enough shelter from the rain to dry. She stood in just panties as she jumped up flipping them over the line.

Cooper just gawking over at her watching her practically naked body jump up and down. She turned around covering her breasts with her arm.

“Honey you realise I’ve seen you naked right?” He leaned back on the dirt watching her flush with embarrassment. He couldn’t see but he knew her cheeks would be burning red with blush. A streak of lighting shot above the sky lighting their entire area. The clap made Ada squeal a little as she jumped back inside the shack throwing the overgrown shirt on. It just covered her ass. She peaked out a little looking over at Cooper.

“So what’s California like?” She sat down the ground under the shack just a few feet from Cooper.

“You must’ve passed through it coming from Washington” she shook her head.

“I didn’t come here first. I went to Massachusetts and then I came here. Not once stepped even close to the border”

“Oh well, it’s hot, sunny, very much destroyed. But once it was the city where everyone with dreams came. Now it’s where dreams die- eh some would argue it was that before too” he said pouring out two bowls of pork and beans. He slid it over the ground to her as she grabbed it.

“So, you said your wife worked for Vault-Tec” she paused “and you are in fact Cooper Howard, the actor” she pronounced ‘actor’ all flashy showman style.

“What’s your point?” She chuckled

“Well I just realised. You’re the guy in the vaults. With the thumbs up posters” she giggled looking over at him “I remember your posters in my vault” she finished her food. Putting the bowl down.

“That was a long time ago now missy” she shrugged

“Still it’s apart of you. Technically I’ve always known you. I never watched unfortunately until the other night but my dad use to watch your movies all the time. He was actually a big fan. He had this signed Vault suit from you that no one could ever look at” she reminisced.

“Your father had good taste” she nodded

“He found it in a Vault. He was lucky enough to visit California. He found an abandoned cryogenic vault. Had hundreds of people, some still alive. Some not so much” She stretched out “what’s with Vault-Tec and freezing humans…crazy” she murmured.

Coopers head shot up

“A freezer vault? Where?” He demanded standing up moving over to her. Fire in his belly as he picked Ada up by her arms pinning her against the wall.

They were so close, both their bodies touched one another.

“I don’t- I don’t know- she stuttered trying to breathe. Coopers hand against her throat “I really don’t know Cooper…it was years before I was even born” she gasped, her fingers nails carving into his leather gloves as she tried to free her throat.

“Coop- her head fell faint

“You’re hurting me- she gasped as his eyes opened up wide. Like he realised what was happening. His grip loosened as he removed his hand. Her breath heavy as she gasped for air. She bent over coughing and gasping as he stepped back slightly looking down at her.

‘Goddammit. If she knew anything she would have told you’ he thought to himself. He had to fix it. He was agitated. He had to do something. He grabbed her once again, lifting her up, wrapping her legs around his. His lips crushing hers, it took a moment but she did in fact return the kiss.

The ‘fuck it’ mentality kicked in. He couldn’t wait anymore. So much frustration he had to release somehow. He held her up against the wall with his body as he unbuckled his trousers letting them fall to the floor.

“Coop- are you sure?” She gasped between kisses.

“Never been more fucking sure” he growled before thrusting. A yelp came from the shack. He growled deep into her ear. This wasn’t making love. This wasn’t fucking. This was stress relief. Plus he couldn’t go to crazy. She was still sore.

Chapter Text

p>The bright sunlight beaming in woke Ana up. She sounds of her groaning. She was never usually a great morning person. Especially when she’s woken up instead of being woke up naturally. She went to toss over feeling a sharp tug on her arm.

“Fuck” she shot up awake. The pain had woken her fully. She found herself with an IV Radaway stuck in her.

“The fuck…” she muttered ripping it out. Her blurry eyes caught Cooper outside.

“Why am I tied up to this shit” she exclaimed sitting up. In a fit she picked up the radaway and threw it at him.

“Well we…last night” she spoke in parts “I figured you’d need to reduce the radiation” he walked over to her trying to ease her with his hand motions.

“I don’t need that…I’m turning remember?” She barked “it doesn’t affect me” she sat down taking a water out of her backpack.

“How do you know it doesn’t affect you?” He questioned her, his movements slow.

“Ugh fine” she mumbled before downing a whole canteen of water. Boy was she thirsty.

“Hello?” He waved his hands in front of her

“You’re not the first ghoul I’ve fucked since turning” she admitted “there was another. Only happened once but it was more of a tester course” she threw her tin can down before getting up and taking down her clothes.

They were dry finally.

“You…fucked another ghoul?” He spat

“Yes. We were testing how far my ghoulish stage was. Turns out I can handle decent amounts of radiation and it doesn’t affect me. Of course too much can. But one load..you’re safe” she retorted while getting dressed in front of him.

“When and who?” He questioned her, she could feel his jealously burning against her skin.

“Oh my god…what do you want a time and date?” She rolled her eyes “it was about four years ago. I was three years into this change. My eyes had already turned. We tested a whole bunch of stuff Coop” she threw her shirt in the backpack. “It literally means nothing. The guy was here for a couple of days and went back to the commonwealth. He was just helping in an exchanged between me and another Vault Dweller” she stood up looking over at him. She could tell her was furious. She tilted her head sighing.

“I’m sorry Coop. Honestly when was a fitting time to bring it up? I’ve been with a few people yes. But it gets lonely out here Coop. You know that. You telling me you haven’t slept with an anyone?” She placed her hand on his cheek trying to catch his eyeline.

“No” he said softly

“No? No fucking way” she pushed back “there is no fucking way that you…a real fucking cowboy didn’t get offered to stay the night?” She questioned him

“Oh I had loads of offers but I never took them” he replied staring at her. “The last woman I slept with was my ex wife- he paused “well you now” she showed a cheeky smirk.

She shook her head, but she couldn’t deny, it was good. A little rushed but he still knew all the tricks.

“I’ll give ya one thing” she pointed at him “you’re very good for someone who hasn’t fucked in two hundred years. Jeez I had a two year dry spell and completely forgot all my moves” she chuckled

“Well like you said it’s lonely and I have a hand. Not too hard to remember stuff” he said grabbing the backpack. “Right sugar let’s get an early start” he said kicking dirt at the fire.

“Come on Rex” Ana called as he trodded along out of the shack.

“We need to get to goodsprings by tonight. Hopefully we’ll hit the California border tomorrow” he said beginning to walk off. Ana grabbed her hat placing it on her head following him. Rex running between them both.

They had been walking for hours. Just coming up to a town called Jean. Ada stopped needing to catch her breath. She leaned against an old sign her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. She took the canteen from her waist belt and drank some water.

“Ahhhh” she said after gulping half of it down.

“Come on sugar . Another hour or so and we’ll be at goodsprings” he said trying to amp her up. Her breathing was fast until she heard the thump. Her head shot up, her eyes glancing around. Her panic set in.

“Uhh Coop- she paused catching up to him “how close to goodsprings are we?” She asked keeping eye out.

“If we’re quick an hour, if we continue at a snail pace. Two or three” he mumbled as Ada grabbed his hand.

‘Quarry. NOT SAFE! DO NOT ENTER’

She gulped moving closer to the edge of the sign. Her eyes glancing down at the quarry.

“Somethings never change” she stuttered. PTSD came screaming back of her one on one with a deathclaw

“Whoa there’s like fifty of them” Cooper spat

“Babies too” she said slowly stepping back “so walking fast huh” she said speeding up the opposite way to the quarry.

“You ever been down there?” Cooper questioned her “you knew it was there?”

“I heard the rumble and saw the sign. I have been there. On my way fuckin here. I didn’t see the sign. Spent about three hours cropping a few just so I could slip away” she continued walking up the hill. Rex following her.

“Damn girl…how’d you lose to one then” he teased

“I’d just got out of fight, guns needed reloading. Eh bad timing” she shrugged. He caught up to her walking steadily beside her. Maybe he had been harsh making her walk so far with her wounds. Sometimes he was very vain and self involved.
He needed to get better at that.

~ Goodsprings ~

The dim lights of a town she hadn’t been too in so long caught her gaze. She was beyond exhausted as they pushed open the doors to the bar.

“Well if it ain’t the lone wanderer” said a familiar voice.

“Sunny!!” Ada exclaimed as she rushed her giving her a massive cuddle. She winced slightly at the pain. As Sunny stepped back

“No Courier this time?” Sunny peaked behind Ada “Who might this cowboy be” she tilted her head in a nod to Cooper.

“This is Cooper. Cooper Howard” Ada said softly “Cooper, this is Sunny” Ada introduced “I’m on another side quest” she chuckled. Cooper shot her a look “but a serious one” she added.

“Nice ta meet ya darlin” Cooper smiled shaking her hand

“Hold up. The Cooper Howard. The movie star? From all those country movies. On the odd occasion your movies are caught on tv when we get a good signal that is” Sunny giggled “come on guys take a table. I’ll bring you some drinks and food” she said hurrying off.

Ada sat down in a cubby with chairs and a table, she slouched into the corner lifting her legs up on the remainder of the long chair.

Cooper sat down opposite her. Lighting up a smoke.

“Can I ask you something random?” She asked Cooper. She leaned up in anticipation waiting for a response as she also lit a smoke.

“Sure darlin. Within reason” he chuckled

“What was it like to…date before the bombs. I’ve read books but they’re fantasy. I wanna know what I missed out on” she leaned her elbows on the table as Sunny brought over some bourbon bottles and some Mac & Cheese.

“Enjoy guys. I have to shoot, but it was real good to see you again Ada. Don’t leave it too long next time” she chuckle before heading off. Ada turned back to Cooper.

“Go on” she urged him. He took his hat off placing it on the table taking a bowl of Mac & Cheese.

“It was different” he said scoffing his face “we use to calling it courting” he paused “it would usually be the movies, or dinner, that was how I rolled” he put his empty plate to side as she listened

“How would you have courted me?” She challenged him.

“Oh you’d be easy. I would show up at your house. Flowers and possibly some chocolates, depends on how Into you id be” he teased “we would go to dinner” he paused for a second thinking, before pointing his finger. “Probably Italian” he said softly “the table would have candles, I would pay extra for musicians to play music for you. Anything you wanted” his eyes glassed over her “the pros of Italian, romance great food and perfect desserts” he paused once more “you would have a pizza maybe or a maybe pasta dish” he had this big grin on his face “I would take you to the beach after, we would drink and dance in the sand” Ada closed her eyes trying her best to picture such a moment.

“We would then lay in the sand watching the stars, discovering more about each other. If I really liked you. You’d get a kiss and a second date” he look over at her as she opened her eyes.
“The second date is when I’d bring you back to mine” he winked.

“It sounds so magical. I’ve never had date” she paused “nor been courted. Romance is dead. An ideology left in books” she said sadly. She leaned back into the chair. A tear rolled over her cheek as she pulled her hat over her face.

“Think I might take a nap” She said quietly sobbing under her hat.

Chapter Text

Only an hour or two had passed before Cooper towered over her trying to wake her up. She groaned when he took her hat off her face.

"Go to Sunny she wants to see you, wear that when you come back to meet me back here in half hour" he demanded pulling her up on her feet. He pushed the dress into her arms hurrying her out of the saloon.

"Well excuse me" She said stumbling out into the street. It was still dark.

"Ada!!" Sunny called out grabbing her attention. She turned around starting to walk across the street to Sunny.

"Any idea what the fuck is going on?" Ada asked Sunny as she hurried her inside.

"We dont have long" she said forcing Ada into a chair.

"Long? For what?" Ada felt completely out of the loop and she hated that. Sunny pulled a box out from under the cabinet placing it on the table.

"It's all still wrapped. I never had the chance to use it" Sunny was so excited. The most excited Ada had ever seen her. She opened this wrapped box. It was a big box with a red ribbon on the top, it's looked brand new.

"Right" she grabbed a magazine throwing it at her. Ada caught it looking down at it.

'Housewives of the modern day era top hair styles' she passed looking over at Sunny.

"Wait.." Ada paused "are you giving me a make over? Ada face was screwed up. She had no idea what the hell was going on.

"Just pick one" Sunny said walking back over. Ads breezed through it before picking page four.

'The bombshell pin up'

"Ooh love it" Sunny said brushing through Ada's hair. It was knotty. Her head getting yanked back every few seconds. Her neck felt like it was slowly being ripped off her neck. Sunny used these curlers and some pins, poking them into parts of her hair.

Ada stayed silent. She clearly wasn't going to get any information out of Sunny.

"Right lets start that make up while the hot rod curlers curl" Sunny clapped her hands moving back in front of Ada. She held out the pallet looking closely at Ada's face. She brushed over this soft powered. Parts of the powder smoke made Ada cough a few times. What seemed like forever passed.

"Oh you look beautiful! Like one those women from the magazine. Americans perfect housewife" Sunny put her hands on her hips smiling.

"Right you get that dress on and I'll go find some heels" she ran off into the back room as Ada watched her.

"Wait did you say heels? Like high heels" Ada stuttered "Ah I'm so fucked" Ada muttered taking the dress into the bathroom. She began stripping down before she caught her reflection in the mirror. Her hair had two curls close together in the middle. The rest tied back neatly with a faded silk red rose pinned to the side of it.

Her make up. She'd never seen herself look so...pretty. Her eyelids had a soft black eyeshadow tying in nicely to her crimson red lips. Her cheeks a flushing pink. She couldn't help but smile. Never in her life had she looked so pretty.

She turned picking up the dress. It was a red sequin dress. Seemed fairly short. Above the knee at least. Ada pulled the red dress up over body, looping the straps over her shoulders. She couldn't see a full body in the small dirty bathroom mirror.

She sighed a little turning around going back outside where Sunny stood with an armful of stuff "tights, heels and gloves" Ada looked confused

"I found them while exploring, cleaned them and was planning to use them. But the wasteland is pretty slim for dating guys" Sunny said still sounding a little hopeful.

Ada sat on the sofa ledge pulling the tights up to her waist under the dress. The heels were easy. Simple slip ons. Black almost shiny heels.

"Do you have a mirror? A tall one?" Ada asked pulling up the gloves.

Sunny nodded leading the way back into the bedroom. Ada followed, she tumbled sideways trying to get the hang of walking in these god forsaken feet traps. Women use to wear these? Really?

Ads found the mirror standing in front of her, tears burning in her eyes.

"I look...nice" her glowing eyes caught her attention "i look like the women in the movies" she added turning back to Sunny.

"Thank you" she sobbed a little. She was so happy. "I don't know what I did to deserve this" she said pulling back from Sunny,

"Nothin' just doing as I'm told. Now off you you girly. Have fun" Sunny showed her the door kinda shoving her out of it.

"If people could stop throwing me out that would be great" she said stumbling around like deer trying to walk for the first time.

"These goddamn heels" she mutters

"Hey no no don't cry. You'll smudge it all" she said softly wiping what she muttered. She stumbled her way over to the saloon. Almost tripping she slams through the doors catching herself on the wall in front of her.she stood up straight brushing herself down as she turned around to darkness, candles everywhere. All the tables had candles flickering away.

The soft music played as she entered the room.

"Skeeter Davis" she smiled putting her hands on her chest. It was almost too much for her to handle. She stepped inside greeted by Trudy.

"Good evening Miss Ada. Your date has already arrived and is waiting for you for table three" she smiled gently. Ada walked around the bar finding Cooper standing there. Not in his usual get up. He wore a black suit with a white shirt and black tie. He wore a black fedora and couldn't stop smiling when he saw her.

Her glanced her up and down, she looked like a totally different person. The prettiest housewife.

"You look beautiful" he stuttered slightly as he looked her up and down once more.

"Thank you. Uh Cooper right?" She shot s cheeky smile.

"Yes Cooper Howard ma'am" his accent sent a tingle throughout her entire body. "Cowboy and movie star" he continued. He pulled out the chair for her as she sat down he tucked her in.

"I brought you these. The fanciest flowers for the prettiest girl" it was a mix range of different floras. She took them with a massive smile on her face. She gave a soft sniff before placing them beside her.

"Thank you Cooper" she was blushing so manic she couldn't even control it. "So you're a movie star? Anything I might've heard of?" She asked looking over at him.

"Uh The Man from Deadhorse? The Man from Calabasas. My top favourite. A Man and his dog" he named a few.

"Ah never heard of ya" She said gently "Oh wait! You're the Vault-Tec boy" she put her thumb up smiling.

"Unfortunately so" he murmured

"So tell me about yourself Miss" he showed a kind smile as she looked around. He couldn't believe he had done this for her. It was enough to make her cry. A glimpse of what it was like before hellfire and acid rain.

"Well, I'm Ada. I run a casino in Vegas. I'm an ex traveller. Use to travel around helping people. But then I got offered this gig" she repositioned herself as Trudy came over

"What would you two sweethearts want for drinks?" Cooper coughed as turned to trudy.

"She'll have a dirty martini, hold the olive. I'll have a bourbon nest" Trudy smiled before moving away. It was have been a preview of a prewar date but still some adjustments had to be made.

"A dirty martini. My favourite how did you know" she said in a flirtatious manner.

"It's everyone's favourite whether they admit it or not" he chuckled "So what are you doing here in California? And show did a pretty thing like you end up on my movie set" He continued the questions.

"I'm actually here with my father. He came here for you" she spoke softly. If it was prewar then she would still have them. And it was a pretty dream for the night.
"He actually came for a meet and greet with you...I just happened to catch your eye I guess" he chuckled

"well I hope I didn't disappoint"

"Oh god no he'll be talking about this for months, years to come" she laughed a little bit. "In fact. Wait until I tell him tomorrow that he took his daughter out of dinner. He will be so jealous" she paused as they drinks came over being placed in front of them.

"Thank you Trudy" Ada said softly spoken as Trudy picked up two super old menus.

"Some of the stuff might be out of stock but I'll see what I can come  up with" she wandered off behind the bar again as another favourite song came over the radio.

'Put your head on my shoulder - Paul Anka'

"put your lips next to mine, won't you kiss me once..." she sang softly as her eyes gazed over the menu

"If I knew better I would have said you were an actress. I mean look at you" he smiled over at her, her cheeks burning in blush.

"Me oh gosh no..." she shook her head "they'd never accept me. Too ballsy" she chuckled their eyes met across the table.

"Hell no. You're a gorgeous little thing..." he was flirting, heart pounding within her chest. She knew she was smitten, in love. A man who would go out of her way to court her when he didn't need to was a man worth keeping.

"What about you Mr Howard" the words slid off her tongue like melted butter, her tone sent shivers down his spine. 'Mr Howard' had never sounded so good.

"Well, I think you know the most. Hell papers like to talk" he said softly "Actor. Divorced. Father to one girl" Ada tilted her head showing a soft half smile.

"Girls are better. We always become daddy's girls in the end" she tried to warm his heart "always and forever"

Trudy returned

"What would you guys like for dinner?" She said holding a notepad that looked super ancient.

"Mmm I'll have the Salisbury Steak with a side of potato chips" Ada said closing her menu

"I'll have the same as the hot piece across the table" Trudy took both menus and hurried away leaving the both of them to continue their date.

"So what's it like in Vegas?" His eyes burned on her

"Never been?" He replied "Eh it's about as you'd expect it. Gamblers, hot, god so hot" she exclaimed "but plenty of places to visit if you like your history. Got the Grand Canyon, The Hoover Dam. Plus if you go just over the ridge, there's a mountain. You can camp up there and see the stars like you never have before. You get a bit bad view of Vegas either" she paused thinking it over. Being in the middle of nowhere was truly the best. "What's Hollywood like?" She said taking a sip of her martini. She had no idea what Trudy had concocted but it was delicious.

"Ah toxic, suffocating, you're always living up to the standard" he explained honestly "as much as I love doing the movies. I just...hate the rest of it" their eyes locked with each other "but we have a massive beach, now that's beautiful for midnight walks, a little skinny dip" his smile curved up.

"Eh a beach hey...haven't ever seen one" she was being honest. Washington nope. Massachusetts nope. Vegas. Nope.

"What's it like?" She said softly

"Close your eyes" he whispered gently as she did so following his instructions.

"Imagine, the bluest of blue skies. The sun, hotter than hell. Your skin toasting. You're out on the hot sand, laying down on a towel. I would imagine you to be a two piece kinda gal. So a bikini, most likely red. Sunglasses covering your eyes. A soft rushing sound crashing not too far from you. That's the ocean waves. You're wiggling your toes in the hot coarse sand. Kids giggling and chasing each other. Light chitter chatter nearby. A bunch of housewives gossiping" he chuckled "a few men huddled around a grill that they definitely shouldn't have brought but did anyway because they have to brag about their grilling skills and complained about the football" his hand touched hers as his fingers curled around hers. "I'm there with you. I'm reading some book about how the T60 power armor is the best they ever made. Muttering by your side. Because you know damn well those metal bins annoy me" he chuckled. A smile spread across her face. She could picture it all for something g she never got to see exist.

"I like the beach" she said softly

"I like the beach too" he said softly. She opened her eyes again just as Trudy brought over their food. It looked gorgeous or maybe she was just too hungry.

"So tell me about your father as he's such a fan" he avoided asking about her mother. The dream could only stretch so far.

"Uh well he's a physician but he also is one of the people working on project purity" she said tucking into her steak.

"Why do I recognise that name?" He asked her.

"They're a small team going up against Vault-Tec and many other corrupted businesses trying to bring clean water across the world" she said softly finishing off her steak. "But I can promise you damn well. He comes home, coffee and watches one of your movies.  I swear he's got them all" she chuckled starting on her potato chips. Soft crunches escaping her mouth as she bites down on them.

"Ah yes. Vault-Tec tried to sue for the rights to use the water system in their vaults" Cooper exclaimed

"Mhm" she nodded "my mother though she was a scientist before she passed away, do you think they'd be proud of me. A doctor and a scientist and I ended working in Vegas" he chuckled "At least I ain't a stripper...yet" he added hesitantly.

They had both finished their meals as Cooper led her out of the saloon. It was late and Trudy deserved some rest. She had given them a room for the night across from the bar.

Ada kicked her heels off the second Cooper opened the front door. The freedom her feet felt.

"Heels were designed for women who hate their feet" she said as she watched Cooper turn on the radio here. He held his hand out to her.

"This date ain't over yet sugar" he said as she took his hand.

'Dion and the Belmonts - Teenager in love'

He spun her around softly before bringing her in close. Her hands landing on his chest. One hand on her hip the other just above her ass.
He laid her head down on his chest as they slowly danced quietly just listening to the music.

"Thank you for tonight Coop" Ada said before looking up at him "I can't even begin to explain how it felt...to feel so special enough for your to court me" she could feel the tears burning in her eyes. "No one has ever...made...me feel so special" she sobbed softly.

"You were worth it" he murmured as he tilted her chin up to look him in the eyes. Tears rolled over her cheeks “don’t cry sweetheart” he spoke as she wiped her tears over the back of her hand.

“Happy tears” she said showing a half chuckling smile “I’m happy Cooper. The happiest I’ve been in a long time” her words were pure “I love you Cooper Howard” she said looking into his eyes “I love you with every inch of my being. A world without you is a world I have zero interest in. I want to be ghoulish with you for all eternity” she said brushing her hand over his cheek.

“That’s a long time gorgeous. Be sure of what you promise” he said half choked up.

“I’ve never been more certain” she returned as he looked down at her before devouring her. His lips claiming hers as he picked up her carrying her into the bedroom. Her eyes glanced around seeing candles and somewhat fancy bedsheets on the bed. It was perfect. Her lips found his again crushing them, owning them. He sat her down on the edge of the bed.

“One second sugar” he said before disappearing in front of her. She blinked a few times before reacting to the moment. She tore off the dress but in a way not to break it. Her bra and panties flying onto of the pile.

She crossed her legs sitting ass naked on the bed sheets as he came back in holding two glasses and s bottle of something she couldn’t see the label properly.

"I want you Cooper" She said firmly standing up in front of him naked. She’d never seen him in a hurry so much in her life. He placed the glasses and bottle on the side. His clothes ripping apart in a feral rage.

Shame I really liked that suit - she thought to herself as he bent down and roughly kissed her.

"Gladly sugar" He whispered. He lowered her down onto the bed reaching across her, he flipped her over with his strength so she was on all fours, he took a hold of her hair and her shoulder.

He put an arm around her, gripping one of her breasts, and placed his other hand over her throat. He was not strangling her, but the feeling still sent an excited shiver through her.
Without even thinking about it, with one swift thrust, he pushed inside her. Parting her lips. This position was amazing, as it allowed him to hit just the right spot, and she knew that this would be a great orgasm. The first few pumps sent her body into a pit of pleasure.
Her muscles tensed around him as the pleasure built inside of her, and it made her feel him even better.
"God you're so tight Vaulty!" he growled in my ear, and it sent another shiver down her spine, but this one went straight to her core, and a whine escaped her lips as the pleasure became almost unbearable.
She wanted, no, needed, to come, and to come now. Come for Cooper.
Increasing his tempo, She let her head fall forwards slightly, lacking the energy to keep it up as it all went into giving her orgasm.
And then, finally, something snapped inside of her, she let out a groan as her head lolled back, her eyes rolling into the back of her head, and her whole body began to shake, her muscles rhythmically clenching around him as he kept thrusting into her, over and over again, egging her on, until everything turned black for a moment...
Gasping as her senses returned, she writhed in his grip as he increased his speed, to a desperate rhythm, his moans loud in her ear.

"Fuck it's like heaven and hell created you in a perfect tonic" he rasped

She knew it was her tightness around him that had triggered this; triggered his own need to orgasm. And that knowledge felt pretty good, which was probably one of the reasons i felt a pressure build inside of her again.

This time, it was that one perfect thrust from him that completely threw her off of the edge, and sent a gush of wetness pouring down her legs as she struggled to breathe. He growled feeling her wetness.
He slipped both his arms around her, flipping her onto her back looking down at Ada.
"I want you to see me come for you..." He said forcing her down on the bed again, and it barely took five seconds before his own body began to convulse, and she felt him pulsate inside of her, filling her up.
Her legs gave out, and he slipped out of her as the both of them collapsed in a heap half on the bed, panting and gasping mixed with slight giggles.

Chapter Text

They had stayed at Goodsprings a another day just to restock. It was going to be a long few days to get to California as they one had more mountain to climb over.

It had been a hell of a few days. Ana was starting to feel like the girl she lost many years ago but happier. Sunny had washed her clothes and brought them around this morning.

Ana had finished showering as she stepped out of the shower checking over her wounds. The ones over the chest and stomach were slowly healing. It had become the next part of her body to have ghoulish features. The hardened skin made the pain less.

She stumbled into the bedroom, just a towel around her. Her eyes peered around. Cooper must’ve been out. Otherwise he would be ripping the towel off her body.

She threw on her jean shorts and tank top. It had no smell but was definitely cleaner than arrival. She fell on the bed doing up her combat boots, knotting tightly. Deep down she was dreading the rest of the trek. The only next stops were sketchy. She hadn’t been to them before she didn’t think.

They would be crossing the boarder today into California. She was excited for that. She stood in front of the mirror brushing her hair up into a ponytail. A few strands of her fell down the sides of her face.

She swore her eyes were getting brighter. Tearing her attention away from that, she threw on her jacket as she threw her backpack over her shoulders.

She stepped outside into the bright sunlight beaming down in her skin. The sun hung high in the sky as she closed the door behind her.

Cooper leant against a sign staring over in her direction, she moved up the slight hill over towards him.

“Well howdy cowboy” she smirked beginning to walk off “keep up” she called, her ass moving in the most flirtatious way. His eyes couldn’t help but stare as he lingered behind her.

“Did they get shorter or am I losin’ my mind?”

“Nah they’re the same. Your minds just not working properly” she chucked as she kept walking. She passed the gas station seeing the

‘You’re Leaving Goodsprings’

She turned taking one last look back over the half ruined small town. She knew she’d be back but it felt so final.

“C’mon sweetheart it’s not goodbye” he said taking a puff of his smoke.

“It’s just the last time I was here it was chasing a bad guy. Now I’m leaving some great memories behind” she turned to look at him showing him a smile.

“Plenty more to come” Cooper said tugging on her arm. Just reaching the top of the hill, the far distance glistened in almost a mirage. Tall buildings that seemed so small from her distance.

“That Vaulty is California” he announced so proudly. He begun walking as she kept staring. A new city. New adventures awaited.

After a few hours of trotting Ada stopped. A massive billboard towered above her.

‘Welcome to Vault Three’
‘A better living underground’

She scoffed slightly crossing her arms, she had seen her fair share of vaults though out the wasteland vis her travels. Some good vaults. Some nightmare inspiring vaults.

She didn’t alert Cooper but something drew her towards the Vault. They had time. They were just on the verge of California. She took the plug from her pipboy. The alarms blaring as she slammed her fist down onto red button.

The alarms must have gotten Coopers attention she thought as she stepped inside the Vault. She climbed over the ledge jumping onto the platform.

‘Welcome to Vault Three’ a banner blew in the wind in front of her. She made her way through the first set of doors. Her eyes glancing into each room that passed. Toys scattered on the floor, the smell of stale dust floated around her.

Then she saw it. She turned a corner and saw a skeleton pinned against the wall, a knife through its neck, palms and feet. The faded blood smudged over the wall. Her hand covered her mouth.

“Fiends” she whispered placing her hand on her Shotgun. It could have been vacated a long time ago but in her inexperience. Coming across such a well preserved vault, no one would pass that up.

She came into what seemed like a security room, a still functioning computer stood before her as moved towards it, her eyes checking the doorway she came in and the doorway behind her. Quiet.

She sat down in the chair looking at the screen.

##>ALPHA….;-/%#BOMB//#
—:@!%%BED-**%##LAUGH//
~#%^DEAD::!%%#++DOG<>
%=+TAUGHT#%>—)(VAULT//
//><%^CAUGHT—%#^ROOM%

‘Ugh’ she huffed to herself

“I bloody hate these” she whispered still trying to keep quiet.

At first she selected ‘Alpha’ - wrong—but two special characters. Ada’s eyes rolled and she scanned over the flickering screen. ‘Laugh’ she selected next.

Wrong again. But this time had three special characters. She stared at the screen. She fingers glancing over the words that seemed to jumble together. Before she spotted it.

‘Vault’ she pushed the arrows over to it selecting it. A happy little beep came from the computer allowing her to access the files.

Overseer - 2197

7/11/2203 - Vera birthday

Today we threw a party for Vera— she turned ninety today. She was so happy, everyone made her gifts. She made her jello cake. She seemed to enjoy herself but she was asleep in front of the tv watching ‘A man and his dog’ she’s happy.

- Erin

Something cluttered distantly gaining Ada’s attention as she popped her head up. It sounded like a tin can or something. Maybe it was Cooper finally catching up. She lowered her head back down scrolling over to a later date.

3/12/2278

Today is NOT a good day. Four dwellers dead. Water contamination. We need a new filtering system. We’re debating opening the vault and sending out a few dwellers to find the part we need.

- Erin

Ada’s eyes burned at the glowing green lights shining back at her as she read the little notes left on the terminal. She could see where this was going.

3/27/2278

We sent out some dwellers two weeks ago. We haven’t heard anything back. Water supply is quite low. We’re on limited purified water bottles now. Six for families. Two bottles for singles.
I don’t know how much longer we can go. The smell is horrendous, I think something has died in the water supply.

4/2/2278

THEY RETURNED!!
Only lost one, unfortunately they were attacked by ‘raiders’ which is apparently armed men and women who attack you and take your supplies and kill you. Somehow they were rescued by these metal Ben, the Brotherhood of Steele or something. Huh funny times we live in.

Anyway they have the part but the people they got it from wish to trade with us. A fellow vault. They have things we need and we have things they need. Seems like a good deal’

- Erin

12/24/2280

It’s Christmas Eve, we have the other vault coming to join us for Christmas dinner. It’s going to be a lovely time togeth—

Hello! Whoever sees this. They got in. They’re mon—sters. I’ve locked myself in the overseers office. But I can hear them—
They have— guns
So much blood
Bodies…
The screams.

It was going so we—

The files end. She looked up from the desk, two men stood in front of her. Partly bald heads, their smirks showing their rotted teeth. Blood smeared over them. Ada gulped as she stood up. One of them had a hatchet the other a gun.

‘Oh fuck’ she thought ‘this is gonna be painful’ she whipped out of shotgun managing to get one headshot.

“Careful of the splash zone” she chuckled before feeling a massive whack in the back of her head.

—

It had taken Cooper a minute but the sound of Rex barking gained his attention. He turned back seeing the lights of the vault flickering against the wall of cave wall.

“Here’s more of that bullshit” he mumbled “fucking Vaults am I right?” He turned looking for Ada before realising she was gone.

“Fuck! Fucking smoothskin” he mumbled heading back up the slight hill making his way towards the vault.

“You should wait here” he sat gently patting Rex on the head. He whined slightly before curling up outside the vault. Cooper returned his gaze upon the massive vault door.

“Fucking bullshit” he mumbled stepping inside his hand over his gun just waiting.

—

Her groans escaped her lips as she battered her eyelids a few times coming around. Her head throbbing as she began to remember.

“Fuck” she snapped trying to pull herself up finding herself restrained to a table. Leather straps held her down as she tried with all her might to be move. She was still fully dressed. Her white shirt had been rolled up showing her bare stomach.

‘This could be a problem’ she thought to herself. Her head tilted to the side hearing a growl.
She was royally screwed.
An entire audience of Fiends stared back at her with one closer than the others.

“Oh hail Flame Mother” the closest one lifted his hands into the air.

They were all naked. She averted her eyes. Some were mutated, others had body parts missing.
Their chants getting louder as they chant for the
‘Flame Mother’

“Oh god…no I’m not Flame Mother” she felt the tears roll over her cheeks and the fire glow flickered around the atrium walls. Skeletons scattered around, some of the floor others on the walls. Some half bent over the railings above her.

This had been a massacre. No one saw this kind of attack coming. They were all brutally murdered. Women, men, children.
Once upon a time this place thrived. It was successful. They flourished until problems occurred. Typical Vault-Tec. Nothing built to last.

A bright light clipped her eyes and she turned back to the leader seeing a knife in his hand. He held it maybe a foot or two above her stomach. The panic within her started to show. Her stomach moving in sync with her breathing.

“Oh god no” she pleaded closing her eyes. She knew this was it. “Eh well it was fun” she murdered. Out of everything she’s faced this was how it ended. Fucking fiends.

‘Oh god they’re going to eat me’ her eyes shot open as she felt a splatter splash across her. A weak escaped her lips as she realised it was blood. Her face and body covered in blood with a splash of blood across her legs.

“Ewwww” she whined. Suddenly time caught up with her as she looked around to see what or who did that. The darkness made it hard to see any figures beyond the audience.

A blast of light came from the upper level, several shots one after another. Hitting fiends left right and enter. She kept flinching as the occasional splash of blood hit her body more.

She had never felt so dirty and that said a lot.
One fiend glanced her direction taking a bolt for her. He jumped ontop of her. His rotten teeth trying their hardest to reach for her neck as she wiggled her head and body as much as she could.

She tried her hardest to avoid and shake him off, her frenzy filled eyes gazed into hers as he snarled and growled, yapping at her neck like a feral dog.

Suddenly one silent slosh happened as she saw a blade come through the front of his skull, merely inches from between her eyes.

Eyes wide she just stared at the pointy blade looking back at her. A gulp slowly rolled down her throat. The blood fresh against her skin creating a chill.

His body flopped off hers as she remained frozen just staring straight up at where the knife was a gasp of air escaping her lips.

“Hey there gorgeous” Said Coop peering over you, she remained frozen still, Coop eyes came into her view as she broke her stare looking up at him.

“You almost kill me” She stuttered as he took out his knife sliding the leather straps.

“Most people say thank you” he shot her a look “but you’re the one who decided to get muddled up in fiends” she pushed him back with her now free hands shooting him the same look back.

Her head spun as she held onto Cooper. The spinning sent her into a spasm. He pulled herself forward throwing up on the ground in front of her. Her whimpers and soft gags came from her.

Coopers eyes caught the bloody spot on the table. Before gazing his attention to the bloody gash on the back of her head.

“Oh they got you good” she leaned up with her hands on her knees. Gasping for air as the dizziness began to subside. “Looks like a good bit of concussion” Coop said having another glance “and maybe a side of stitches” she shook her head.

“They came out of nowhere. I got one of the fuckers. But someone…hit me” she placed her hand on the back of her head. Blood covering her hands.

“Oh that’s not good” she said collapsing into Coopers arms.

Chapter Text

The sounds of machines bleeping caught her attention as she battered her eyes open, a faint ceiling light swung back and forth. Where the hell was she. Small gaps shone through the holes in the ceiling.

Beep

Beep

She look towards the bleeping realising she was on an IV drip. Her head pounding as she tried to lean up. She found herself on an old ratted sofa.

“Oh good. You’re finally awake” said an unfamiliar voice. A woman looked down at her. She wore a white lab coat smiling down at her “was touch and go there. You were hit pretty hard. Twelve stitches” the strange woman said sitting down on the stool opposite her as Ada kicked her legs off the sofa leaning up slowly.

“Now darling, I just need to ask you a few questions before you get on your way” The woman asked “my name is Alisha. Can you tell me your name?” The woman asked.

Ada’s head was light and still very woozy. Alisha clearly gave her some high powered ass drugs.

“Ada” she groaned “my name is Ada”

“Great! Now can you tell me how you got here? Do you remember?” Alisha asked

The last thing Ada remembered was vomiting.
Her eyes shot open.

“Cooper—

“Hey don’t worry. He’s outside. He brought you to me. I’m a Doctor and trader. You’re lucky I was just about to pack up. You were hanging on by a thread. Talking about a vault. Kept apologising” she paused “ It seems you got hit quite bad on the back of the head. From looking at the wound I think the weapon you were hit with had glass involved. I found a few bits inside the wound but I managed to remove all of it” she said bending down going through her doctors bag.

“How long was I out?” She murmured

“Ooh here are a few stimpaks. I recommend one every four to six hours. It’ll help speed up the healing process. I also changed your bandages on your stomach and cleaned you up a bit” she said with a massive, kind smile.

8Ada pulled the IV from her arm. A small bit of blood trickled down her arm. “Thank you for patching me up. Apparently I’ve lost the ability to wander alone in the wasteland without getting myself into trouble” she shrugged. She stood up putting the stimpaks in her bag. Shaking off the drug and trying to get a slight bit more energy.

“And doc?” Ada said softly as the doctor stopped packing her stuff “thanks again…there needs to be more like you. She pushed the door open, the sky was beginning to get cloudy. Green clouds bubbled in the distance. She peeked back inside the shake.

“Might wanna stay inside for the night. Radstorm coming” the doctor sighed

“Ah fuck it. Hopefully it doesn’t last. Will you guys be ok?” Ada pointed to her eyes. We thrive on this shit” she winked before closing the door.

Heading out Coop threw down his smoke and ran at her. Both her cheeks clasped between his hands.

“You don’t ever leave my fucking side. Do you hear me? You don’t look, you don’t wander off, hell you don’t even take a piss without me watching” he yanked his hand away. “You almost died…fuck! How did you ever wander alone? How did you make it ten steps out the vault.

She was taken aback by his anger. His eyes burning with rage.

“I can’t lose you too” he said quietly “I just can’t Ada…” he cut himself off.

“I’m sorry, honestly I just didn’t think”

“You’re damn right you didn’t. Have you learnt nothing. Those vaults are trouble” oh boy he was super angry now.

“I’m sorry— I just thought—

“Well stop. Just stop. We have shit to do. We can’t be sidetracked by bullshit” he growls as spits of rain started to fall down around them. Big blobs of rain dripped down over her face.

She really didn’t know how to react. The drugs still racing all around her body.

“You have shit to do. I’m just following” Ads snapped “All I am is a follower. A companion” he paused

‘So this is how that feels’ she paused thinking to herself ‘every companion she’s had and sent back home’

She looked down at the ground, she felt so helpless, her head throbbing. His shouting definitely not helping.

“It’s just…Everytime I see one, I hope I can save them” she said softly “I’ve saved a few…I’ve lost a few”

“Your murdered one” he said looking back at her. She went cold in the face. Her eyes inflating.

‘Fuck what had she said’

“You said earlier, you killed an entire vault” she turned poking her chest “and you act like a hero but you’re no better”

“That was different. I am not vault-tec” she spat angrily. “That was my vault. My home. Where I grew up for eighteen years. My memories. And they had gone crazy Cooper. Fucking crazy. After my dad left, I followed shortly. But it was already going to shit” now she was angry. How dare he compare her to those monsters.

“When I left they tried to kill me. Shot at me, came at me with weapons. I had to sneak out via the evacuation tunnel” she took in a deep breath “when I was wondering around I got a signal on my pipboy. A call for help. From my friend” Ada explained “she was asking for me. ME!!!” She snapped “When I got back they were worse than when I left. They had my best friend locked up. Torturing her for information about me, about my father. I went in, hoping to save her. Hand myself over in exchange but her own father…he shot her” tears rolled over Ada’s cheeks. Her face burning from anger and upset.

“So I killed him. I killed his men. Anyone who tried to kill or harm. I killed. I rescued the dwellers they had beaten, abused, tormented. I gave them back their vault, their freedom. It’s fucking thriving now. They trade, they take in people who need to be taken in. I did what I had to do, but something great came from it. But I will never forgive myself for what happened to Anita” Ada spat in anger “So if that makes me like Vault-Tec. So be it” she said shrugged pushing past him. His silence as he took it all in. Maybe he had reacted too harshly. Maybe he let his anger get the better of him.

“Are we going then” Ada snapped turning on the map on her pipboy. Walking in the direction her the arrow. She was fuming at him. Him acting all high and mighty. Like he hadn’t tortured a vault dweller over a head, bitten off her finger, all the other stuff. She shook her head moving further ahead. At this point she didn’t care if he followed. She was going to California.

The rain came down heavier and heavier. Rex by her side as she came up on a ridge. A small fire flickered in the distance. It looked so warm. How was it still burning in this weather. She moved closer, Cooper not too far behind. They hadn’t spoken in hours. Just an awkward silence.

They came up to a small camp with a few shacks. Two ghouls and a woman sat around a sheltered fire. They had some chickens plopping along. A few tatos on the rubble beside them.

“Friendly?” The ghoul shot up pointing a pistol at them both. Ada’s hands shot up immediately.

“Whoa friendly…FRIENDLY” she said in a raised tone “just need a break before we continue” she said in a calm tone “I’m a vault dweller” she pointed at the pipboy. “Might’ve heard of me. The lone wanderer. I’ve helped loads of people. Quite the reputation” she tried everything in her books to get him to lower his gun.

He finally lowered it.

“We have spare bed and some food but unfortunately we can’t offer much” he said softly putting his gun away. “Nice to meet you both. This is my wife Katherine” his hands shot led to the female ghoul beside him. “And this is Marilyn, she’s our trader”

“Daughter” she pipped up. It was obvious it wasn’t their daughter.

“You don’t have to hide it daddy” she continued as Coop and Ada looked at each other confused as heck.

“Shhh they can’t know about you. No one can” the mother pipped up.

“Hey…hey it’s okay. Trust me. I know it’s not an easy thing but trust me. I’ve seen it all. I won’t tell” Ada said in a quiet and soft tone sitting beside the daughter.

Cooper leant against a building lighting a smoke as Rex curled up.

“When did you rescue her?” Ada urged

“We didn’t” the father said looking directly at Ada “she is our daughter, it’s complicated. My wife and I. I turned first…” he paused. Ada could tell he was debating being honest.

“Katherine was also mid turning. We thought it was impossible. But suddenly. It was quick. Katherine started getting sick, it about a week after. Maybe two-

Katherine cut him off

“The process seemed sped up we never understood it. But I got really ill. Luke here, he got worried. He took me to a doctor in Diamond City”

A smile spread across Ada’s face as she put her hand on her chest. A name she hadn’t heard in so long.

“He told me I was pregnant” Katherine shrugged “somehow we both made this miracle. She came out perfect. Human. She’s now twenty, and still smooth and human” Katherine said so proudly holding her daughters leg.

“That is some big miracle” Ada said looking over at Coop who wasn’t even listening. He had completed zoned out.

“How long did the whole pregnancy take?” The scientist in her came out. Her father would be proud.

“About five months. I knew within a week. We ended up staying in Diamond City. With how ill I got. We couldn’t travel” Katherine replied.

“That is truly fascinating. And you have no ghoulish features?” She asked the daughter.

“No no…I can get radiation sickness, I can eat, I don’t get angry. I’m human. I’m me” Marilyn said smiling at her mother and father.

“That’s—

“Enough Ada she’s not a fucking experiment” Cooper snapped before heading inside the shack. Ads felt pure embarrassment as her cheeks flushed red.

“Oh my god I’m so sorry” Ada stood to her feet “let me go- check on him” she said hurrying off leaving them around the fire. She followed him inside the shack finding him in s slouch lighting a smoke.

“What the fuck is your problem? You’ve been an ass to me all day” Ada snapped

“Don’t start something you can’t finish Vaulty”
Cooper warned.

“Ooh I’m scared of the big bad bounty hunter, whatcha gonna do sheriff, lock me up?” Ada taunted him “you have been a total fuck head all day, if this is over the vault stuff - yeah I’m
A monster” she shouted “but if this is because of yesterday get over it” she turned away from him shaking her head. She was furious. Once again.

“I just want to get to California, find my daughter and have my family back” Ada stopped in her steps. Her heart sunk a little.

“Family” she whispered under her breath

“Yes my family. Jeez I should’ve just left you-

He stopped.

Fuck he didn’t mean any of that

Why did he say that

Ada kept herself from sobbing “You’ll find them both don’t worry” Ada said getting into bed. She rolled over so she didn’t see him, burying her head under the covers. Rex jumped up on the bed curling into the space between her stomach and knees.

“I-

Cooper tried to speak but the words failed to come out. Why had he just said that. She hadn’t done anything. Nothing for him to be angry at. Why was he so angry. Was he anxious as they got closer to California.

Maybe he didn’t want to find them now.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Ada had woken before anyone else. She didn't sleep much. She cried a lot. Her face all swollen and puffy from the tears. She shot a stimpak into her stomach keeping the quiet squeal low.

She threw it on the bed grabbing her backpack. Cooper laid zonked out on the sofa. She glanced over at him.

He had hurt her last night. So she decided to go on without him. She would find his wife and child and return them to him and she would return to Vegas.

She had thought about it most the night. She lent down at the table taking the notepad and pencil.

𝒞𝑜𝑜𝓅𝑒𝓇.

ℐ 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 ℐ'𝓋𝑒 𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝓇 𝒹𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇 𝓎𝑜𝓊.
ℐ'𝓂 𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓇𝓎. ℐ'𝓂 𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓇𝓎 ℐ 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝓈𝓉𝓊𝓂𝒷𝓁𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓁𝒹.
ℐ'𝓂 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓋𝒶𝓊𝓁𝓉 𝓂𝓎 𝒻𝒶𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝒶𝒷𝑜𝓊𝓉. 𝒲𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒞𝒶𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓃𝒾𝒶 𝒻𝓇𝑜𝓏𝑒𝓃 𝒹𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝓃𝒹 ℐ'𝓁𝓁 𝒽𝑜𝓅𝑒𝒻𝓊𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓎𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒻𝒶𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓎.

𝒮𝑒𝑒 𝓎𝒶 𝒶𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹 𝒸𝑜𝓌𝒷𝑜𝓎
𝒜𝒹𝒶

Ada left the note on the table next to his vials of toxins. She took one last glance at him before quietly opening the door. The family was still asleep too. It was only just morning break. The sun just cracking the horizon as she headed off.

She continued to follow the arrow on the map, a couple more days and she should be at the vault.
The day was long and hot. She managed to reach buildings. Just normal sized. No towering buildings. From what she could tell it use to be a road with a cinema and restaurant. Old lights dangled down above her. She could tell that before the war, it was  beautiful street. She came across a mini Super Mart.

This could be a good time to find some food for the next few days. Her water was also pretty low. She turned on her pipboy light and stepped inside.

Dead bodies scattered all over the floor as she slowly climbed over them. The air was rotten. They had been dead for awhile. This wasn't fresh. There wasn't a single sound. Dead silence.

Rex stayed low and beside her as she moved between isles looking  for spare abandoned food and water. A lot were empty but a few had stuff pushed under the shelve units. She’d managed to find some meds too, just some stimpaks and bandages.

She'd hit a fairly good find.
Four bottles of water, a few tubs of chips some other bits and somehow managed to win herself a perfectly preserved pie.

She fisted the air as the pie was released from the machine.
Ada practically drooled at the rare moment presented in front of her. She took the the fork scooping into it. The first bite...

'Oh...'

"Get this out my mouth" she gurgled heaving as she spat it out on the ground. She threw the plate down.

"Fuckin disgusting" she took out a canteen of water gargling some before spitting it out.

Well that was off her bucket list. She finished up before heading out the back. She found a staircase that led upstairs into a room. A small kitchen and another room with a bed and tv. She hurried Rex in before closing the door behind her. She pushed a table chair under the knob for safe keeping.

It would definitely wake her up if something was to happen. She placed her bag on the table checking the lighting her pipboy. She found a few candles scattered around as she lit them for some form of light.

It had gotten dark pretty quick so it was best to set up camp for the night. She had made good progress. She just had to spend the next few days making her way through the city. Hollywood. Cooper had marked some places on her map that he had wanted to show her.

That was her plan. Have a mini tour along the way. She had made the perfect route to see them all. It would take another two or three days.

She found some Mac and cheese in the cupboard, she made up a bowl of that. And took some chips from her bag. A bottle of vodka placed beside the bed.

"Perfect" she said climb on the bed. She didn't have many tapes in her bag. Just a few of Coopers movies and Vault-Tex inspiration videos.

She placed 'The Man from Deadhorse' on. Climbing back on the bed she tucked into her Mac and cheese. Rex chewing on a steak. She curled up and felt an intense sinking feeling when he came on the tv.

She eyes burned as she watched the man she knew riding his horse. A tear rolled over her cheek. Maybe she had overreacted. Maybe she shouldn’t have left.
"Maybe this wasn't a great idea" she said turning it off. She finished her food in silence.

She heard a grinding sound rumble throughout
building. The pipes within the walls shaking a bit.

‘No way’ Her eyes widened as she ran over to the bath tub running the water. To her surprise it was steaming hot. She rinsed the bath tub out before she grabbed the soap she took from goodsprings from her bag as the bath filled up.
A hot bath.

She found herself just sinking into the water like it was a cloud eating her whole. Suffocating her. Her whole body covered in the hot water. Her skin burning but it felt so good.

The soap ran over her skin smoothly. The fresh smell filled her senses. As the blood from yesterday slowly melted away turning the water a lightish pink/red. She ran the bar of soap over her hair, over and over until it was soapy and rubbed it all over. Every so often she felt the stitches burn on the back of her head.

After washing herself down she took her clothes dumping them in the bathtub. She took the soap rubbing it over her shorts and shirt.

So much dirt came off them as she squeezed the remaining water out before h

The sound of movement echoed through the buildings and alleyways. She got under the sheets to settle down for the night.

She was more tired than she thought. The second her head hit the pillow her eyes fell heavy as they fluttered. She fought the urge to nod off. Failing at that.

—

She awoke the next day quiet late in the day. It was another wet one. Thunder rumbled in the sky. She had been already walking for a few hours. She had stopped for a bit of water as she threw her backpack over her shoulders heading out onto the road. The gravel dirt beneath her feet. Old classic cars scattered the streets.

It must’ve been a busy morning. She looked around pushing her way over trees that had collapsed. Doing her best to remain quiet. Water has swallowed most of the roads she needed. She slumped “come on” she murmured looking up at the mountainside towering in front, a barely standing Hollywood sign.

That’s where the vault was. Behind that sign.

She huffed to herself. She wasn’t able to do many things she wanted to do. The roads and paths were all fucked. Everything here was hills and water.

She carried on walking up the pathway, shops either side of her. There were so many, manakins had fallen over with clothes still dangling over them.

HOLLYWOOD BLVD

A sign in front of her read. She shrugged.

“Might as well have a look” she held onto the door handle pulling herself up over the wet bags of cement. She had guessed they were trying to keep the water out.

Her eyes glanced over some glass shelves. Prewar dresses. They looked brand new. Cowboy boots. She tilted her head before taking out her pistol. She smashed the glass taking out two of three of the dresses shoving them in her backpack.

They were prewar. Maybe a little dirty now.

She kicked off her soaking wet combat boots grabbing the cowboy boots. They were soft inside. Like a warm cuddle for her wet feet.
She took the matching cowboy hat.

“I guess being a cowboy was trending” she chuckled to herself. She had another breeze around the store. A pair of sunglasses remained in one already smashed unit. A small simple shrug responded from her shoulders as she took them too.

She left about four or five caps beside the register.

“Thank you ma’am” she said to no one.

“Waste not want not” she murmured before leaving the shop. The rain was starting to lighten up. Her and Rex continued their walk. The long stretch of road ahead of them.

Her pipboy quiet. She really didn’t want to alert anyone or anything hiding in these parts. Her ammo was low for a big fight.

Finally the end of the road. Her feet met sand. Her eyes glancing up seeing the sand far far from the ocean. Not what she had imagined when Cooper described it.
A few odd looking birds flew around. This was definitely not what she imagined.

“Well what do we have here” said a southern accent. She spun around her eyes widening, five or six raiders surrounded her. She placed her hands on both shotguns as Rex began growling.

She pulled up her shotguns clipping one in the arm as she dipped behind a wall to her left. She flipped her eye lens down from her ear and peaked around the corner. She eyed up the one running towards her location before shooting him in the face. His blood sprayed everywhere, she pulled back reloading her guns.

She hurried as much as possible. Her fingers a bit nervous. Everything had been tits up when she had gone alone recently. Her faith in herself completely lost.

Two down.

Four to go.

She leaned out of the wall again, her eyes caught two attending the one whose arm she got. She pulled away from the wall setting over six rounds, one after the other, before ducking behind the wall again.

“Another two down” she smirked before realising she was out of shotgun ammo. She gulped. Just the pistol and knife.

“Ugh here goes nothing I guess” she said to herself in a manic chuckle, she gave Rex the nod. He ran out towards one the final two men, grabbing one by the arm as Ada followed him. Her pistol shooting a few rounds at the free guy. Her knife coming up slicing the one Rex was holdings throat. Before she flung her knife at the other raider still running at her.

“Bullseye” she chuckled as she yanked her knife from his forehead. Dusting herself off she started to quickly go over the bodies. Seeing if they had anything good on them for her to have. She found some ammo, shotgun, pistol. Her eyes widened at the sniper ammo.

“One of y’all got a sniper” she gasped continuing to search their bodies. She found the sniper giving it the once over.

‘NCR’ written on the side of it.

“This sir is not yours” she kicked the dead body “still be taking it from here out” she said pushing the ammo inside it making sure it was fully loaded. She roped it over her shoulder.

She had a great looting session. Be awhile since she used her knife moves. And she did it all without drugs. She walked along the sand proud of herself.

“I knew I still had it” she chuckled to herself heading up what use to be the highway. She came to what use to a car park type thing. She turned on her pipboy. It was pretty dark now. Not a single light surrounded her. She saw a makeshift sign up up ahead. Moving her light over it she read.

‘Vault Thirty-One this way’ pointing up the hill with the stone path. She shook her head. She knew she was doing that walk today. It was too dark. She looked around trying to find somewhere to stay nearby.

An old vertibird had been crashed beside theme it still looked in pretty decent condition. She climbed up inside moving into the cockpit. Still protected by the glass. Rex jumped over and into the other seat.

“Here will have to do Rex” she whispered taking her backpack off. She rummaged through it finding some gecko jerky for Rex. Being half robot he didn’t need much to survive unlike her. The jerky was more of a good boy treat.

She took out a bottle of water and some devilled eggs. She could see the stars glistening above her as the sky freed itself from the clouds grasp.

Hopefully tomorrow would be sunny. Climbing this hill she needed dryness not wet mud. It would be impossible. She only ate a few of an eggs before packing them back up. She still had a long way to go. It had almost been a week since they left Vegas. She was beginning to miss it. Missing the protection, missing C. She missed hearing C moan about Benny.

A half crooked smile covered her lips as her eyes got heavy.

“Miss you C” she murmured quietly as her head hit off the glass window beside her. Her soft snores escaping every now and then.

Chapter Text

Ada had decided to wear one of the prewar dresses she grabbed yesterday. It was black with red polkadots all over it. Her black cowboy boots. She kinda felt hot a little. Shame Coop wasn’t-

She stopped herself. It wouldn’t matter if he was or not. He had made his choice. He wanted his family back and that was that. She exited the vertibird, Rex following her. It had been a great day, the sun out. Warming her skin from the chilly night before. Finally dry and warm she began her way up the mountain.

She was already high up at the car park and could see the whole main city of Los Angeles. She tilted her head wondering what it would have looked like before the war.

So much chaos and people running around the place panicking. Actors and actresses preparing for their movies. She turned back continuing up the path.

It was quiet, boring, long. Her breath heavy as she continued up the steep hill.

“Those poor Dwellers. I’m surprised they even made it. With this fucking hill” she stopped and realised “they knew” she froze thinking back to the dweller from Massachusetts, she didn’t know. She had no idea. But these people. They knew. The hill was too big. Too steep to run up with a couple of seconds left to live. Everyone in this vault knew the bombs would be dropping.

Her face was disgusted. She knew Vault-Tec dropped the bombs. Cooper had told her that much. This was something else. These people knew.

She continued up the hill coming to a clearing. The Hollywood sign below her. She could see the towering letters. Her eyes stumbled across a small yellow compartment by the wall. The wind must’ve blew it open. Or raiders trying to get in.

She took out her pipboy opening it up. Taking the connecting wire out she plugged it into the panel. The sound of the vault opening was louder. She turn looking around. Someone definitely would’ve heard that.

A little panic fluttered through her as she squeezed through the small gasp of the door opening. This one looked different. Confusion filled her. This wasn’t a normal looking vault. It reminded her of the one in Massachusetts.

She continued down the hall, they were short. Coming up to another door. It needed her pipboy plug again.

“You guys really didn’t wanna be found now did you” she muttered plugging it into the console. Her eyes rolled slightly as she heard the door bleep and pull up. A small robot greeted her and a boy. Her eyes glancing between them both. She took a Vault-Tec crate placing it under where the door would go.

“Hi!” She said as the boy just stared at her “I’m Ada. You are?” She asked softly

“Norm. Im Norm” he said quietly “that thing trapped me in here” she looked down at the tiny robot.

“Ever think to crack it open and rewire it?” She asked realising who she was asking. He was another dweller. They were silent for a moment.

“Well…off you go. Be free little dweller” she said almost mocking him. “I won’t be long just after a couple of people” she murmured going up to the computer table. Her eyes glancing over the names.

“Who are you looking for? I’ve been here a while. I set the freezer to wake up every two days just to check if anyone came. I can help” Norm said a bit hurried.

Ada leaned up looking at him.

“You know you shouldn’t just trust anyone who walks in. Trust me. The other guy probably would have killed you both” she said softly “how do you know you can trust me?” She asked

“You have a pipboy. They’re complicated little things” she tilted her head and nodded

“Eh I’ve come across a few who have just taken pipboys from abandoned vaults and dead dwellers” she paused “I’m from a vault. You’re right” she added continuing through the computer.

“Are you after family?” He asked soft spoken

“Nah mine are dead. Long time now” she said quick and short.

“Why do your eyes glow- she cut him off.

“Look this isn’t question time okay? I’m from Vault 101. My mother died in childbirth, my father died trying to protect this shithole of a wasteland, and I’m a ghoul, too much radiation and I’m starting to turn. But unfortunately I still may have mind” she snapped turning back to the computer. She was silent for awhile but could feel Norms eyes burning at her as he watched what she was doing.

“Ah ha!” She said Barbara and Janey Howard” she scrolled across their names. Followed by a short lump in her throat.

‘Janey Howard - released to vault 33, ninety years ago’ she stumbled back from the computer. She felt sorrow and sadness. Poor Cooper. His daughter who was ten was realised so long ago, she definitely didn’t make it to one hundred.

Ada turned back to Norm.

“Did you know a Janey Howard?” She asked him in a soft broken tone.

He held up a finger pulling up his pipboy scrolling through something. She stared at him for awhile before he moved towards her a little hesitantly.

“She lived here. Mother - Barbara Howard Father - Cooper Howard. She died at eight seven. Peacefully in her sleep. She married. Her four children. Two are dead” Ada yanked Norms arm looking at the information herself. She couldn’t believe it. Came all this way.

“She was happy. Isn’t that what matters” Norm said looking at Ada. She lived healthy and safe. Had a family, isn’t that anyone would want?” She nodded her head.

“Thank you. You should get out of here” she said moving over to the computer once again,

“If you’re after her mother, she’s in chamber seven” Norm being as helpful as ever. Ada leaned up showing him a kind smile. Dwellers man.
She turned slowly walking down the path between all the chambers. People still sleeping peacefully.

“This wasn’t right. What they did” she whispered before coming up to Barbara’s unit it, her finger hovering over the turn off button. It would definitely kill her. Was it her place? Maybe Cooper would want to ask her some questions.

Suddenly this feeling came over Ada. Her stomach. It twisted as this pain fluttered. Her hand slammed onto the open button as she hunched over feeling sick. She managed to pull herself to her feet running out of the door past Norm. He turned following her at a slightly slower pace. She found herself heading for the sunlight up ahead.

The pain felt like something was ripping her apart inside. The second her feet hit the dirt her body hurled over as she threw up. It wasn’t good. Bits of blood floated within it, some green glowing stuff.

Her hands clawed the dirt as she rolled over letting out an ear pitching scream. Her hands grasping her stomach.

“Ah fuck!!!” She screamed before throwing up again.

“I’ll get help” Norm said running back inside.

“No don’t you- she whined curling over in pain “not another vault” she whimpered curling and tossing around in pain. Maybe she was dying, maybe this was the end.

Voices shouted and argued above her.

“Hell no she’s one of those things. We can’t let her in after last time Norm. We only just survived” said one voice.

The pain was too much. He stood up moving away from the dwellers. Rex by her side as she moved away slowly. Her eyes watching them, the pain slowed a bit.

“Thanks for the help boys” she nodded her cowboy hat making her way down the hill, the pain still ripping through her but being locked away in a vault was way worse than anything she could be experiencing.

Especially one connected to a freezer vault.

She held her stomach before feeling a wetness between her legs. She climbed over trees moving further down. She stepped out onto a smooth bit of land pulling up her dress. Blood pouring down her legs. Her legs weak as she watched it trickle.

“That can’t be good” she said lowering her dress. She looked back towards the vault. They’d have a doctor. A good doctor. But it’s a fucking vault.

She shook her head pulling up the pipboy. There was an NCR location just to the right of her location. It seemed pretty big. Her head started to spin as she tried to take a step.

“Blood loss” she fell to her knees leaning against a rock. The blood dribbling from her legs down the stone path below her. Her eyes fluttering shut.

“I hate the fucking waste- her words ran cold.

Chapter Text

Ada sat up in a hospital bed. Her arms crossed. The dwellers had decided to let her in as she free Norm. They had run tests after tests all day. She wasn't cuffed or anything. She was free to roam. They were treating her normal. It's not like she could hide the fact she was turning into a ghoul.

She was connected to every machine, IV drip they had to offer. Ada reached out trying to grab one of the glasses of water. Her hand being met with another.

"Lucy..." her words trailed off

"Hey there. I knew it was you Norm was talking abouts he was obsessed with your eyes" Lucy chuckled handing Ada the glass of water. "Thank you for saving him. We had been looking for awhile for him, started to think he'd gone out there to look for me" she said sitting down beside her.

"I'm sorry" Ada's words rushed off "I'm sorry for scaring you, for having a go at you, for being the worst shittiest person. I'm sorry, I don't know what happened to me" Ada explained "Coop he has this...this thing" she snapped "I hate him....but I love him too" Ada started crying, tears dominating her face. Maybe it was the drugs, maybe she was tired. But she was way to emotional for her own doing "I miss him, I shouldn't have left him" she paused

"Wait you left him?" Lucy said looking surprised "he's here..." Adas eyes widened "he found you, he brought you back up to the vault. You lost a lot of blood. They think you might...you know might be having that lady time" Lucy whispered softly, Ada looked confused as she listened to Lucy explain "took a lot of convincing getting you both in the vault,  but he handed over his weapons and freely. I think he was more worried about you, he's literally down the hall waiting for the doctors to be done" Ada filled with panic, relief but mostly panic.

Cooper was going to be so angry, that she knew for sure. She took a sip of water from her glass. Lucy's eyes staring at her.

"I did leave him..." Ada added "he must've of been a few hours behind me the entire time..." she shook her head "fucking cowboy" shaking her head.

Lucy laughed a little

"Thank you for saving my brother Ada" Lucy said sincerely staring at Ada.

"It's okay. If I hadn't of showed up, god knows how long he'd be in there. He just kept freezing himself. I would get him checked over. That shit isn't good for the body" Ada said kindly trying to advise.

"I will do. Right! The doctors will be back with your results soon. It's been hours, I'll go and let Cooper know you're ok, I'll send him in. It's clear you both need to talk" Lucy patted Ada's hand with a soft smile "and I forgive you" she added "men make us all crazy sometimes" she winked before leaving the room.

Her heart sped up as the machine did to match her. She shot an evil glare at the machine. She was just about done with being secured to machines and IV drips. She missed the good old days when, if shit happened it was a 'ah well' kind of situation.

She saw a tv in the corner of the room, a remote control on the table beside her. At least she had some form of entertainment. Her clothes and pipboy in the corner of the room piled neatly.

She unclipped the wires from her arms, leaving the needle still in her arm.  She flipped  her legs over the bed. They were a little wobbly like jello. The floor was a little cold as she used the help of her table which thankfully had wheels to glide her over to the chair. She wore a white hospital gown, a gap behind her back and ass, she bent over feeling the cold strike her ass  as she grabbed her pipboy and shot back up again.

Slowly she begun to move back towards the bed.

"Well...well...well..." said a familiar voice. She turned around seeing Cooper in the hall way. Whether he saved her or not once again she was still mad at him. She also knew about Janey.

She lowered herself on the bed, pulling the blankets over her legs.

"I cannot believe you left a note" he slowly walked towards her "a fucking note" he shot her a smirk "how kind" he said lowering himself into the chair at the side of her bed.

"You made it clear what you wanted Coop" she said turning on her pipboy trying to avoid eye contact "at what point are you going to stop saving me and just let the wasteland get me" she muttered as she watched the loading screen.

"Oh I made it clear did I?" He leaned back, tilting his cowboy hat up so he could see her properly.

"YES!" She snapped looking at his "you wanted your family. You made that pretty damn clear" She paused putting her pipboy down pointing at him "Your wife she's still frozen next door" Ada said furiously "I found them"

"And Janey?" Coop leaned up moving closer to her. The look of desperation in his eyes. She couldn't care to be the one giving him this news. She placed her hand on his.

"She was released awhile ago. She lived here, in Lucy's vault" his eyes burned at her. "She lived a good life Cooper. She married, she had children. She lived to a decent age. Something that wouldn't have happened out there" Ada said softly as his fingers curling around hers,  "This hurts I know. But she lived to the most she possibly could with the options available" she spoke soft to him as his head dropped.

"Norm told me a few things but I'm sure you could find out more information" Coop stayed quiet for some time. Her hand just holding Ada's tightly. She could feel his veins pulsing. Anger. Heartbreak, she knew he was facing it all right now. She watched the tears roll over his cheek. His free hand wiping them away.

Ada’s heart broke watching him, there was nothing she could do. She was helpless. She could only support him and be there to help him through it.

"Was she happy?" He asked, his voice breaking a little.

"Yes...I believe she was. She lived a normal and a full life. Almost as close to prewar. She got to experience motherhood, a wife, an education. It would have been worse out there Coop, we've both seen it. Every day you live is just luck. It can be gone so quickly" Ada watched Cooper nod in agreement.

"Go ask Norm or Lucy. She only passed a few years ago. They might of known her if not they know her children" Ada said as Cooper looked at her. Her smile warm as she squeezed his hand a little “I’m sorry I left you a ‘fucking’ note” a small chuckle escaped through his tears. She heard him sniffle a little.

“It’s okay…” his voice broken it was the softest he’d ever spoken to her “I was an asshole to you” he admitted “I don’t even know why…” he looked up at her wiping his eyes.

“Look we’ll talk about this later. For now go and find out some information about Janey” Ada said softly “Go do your unfinished business” Coop took some issues off her side cabinet before standing up. He looked down at her.

“Don’t go nowhere!” He demanded

“Couldn’t even if I wanted to. Apparently you’ll always catch up” she smirked plugging herself back into IVs.

“Always Vaulty. You were easy to track” he said walking over to the door. She smiled and rolled her eyes shaking her head. As Cooper opened the door he was welcomed by a doctor. She jumped coming face to face with Cooper, she showed a slight smile as she looked at him and then me.

“I’m the doctor. Im Rita, Are you free?” Her voice squeaked slightly. Cooper moved back allowing her in.

“Think I’ll stick around” he said moving back towards the chair. She didn’t need a babysitter. It was just results.

“So I hope you’re feeling better” The doctor said checking the paper from machine. “Blood pressure…normal. A small blip there and then normal again” she said moving her glasses to the tip of her nose. She was short, her hair jet black tied back into a ponytail.

“Yeah…bit woozy but I feel ok” Ada responded

“Wooziness is normal. We have you on a few different drugs and you’ve been having a blood infused with Radaway transfusion” she said taking out her torch.

“Follow my finger please” she said shining the light in Ada’s eyes as she moved her finger. Ada’s eyes followed it.

Left.

Middle.

Right.

Middle.

Left.

“Alright looking good” she opened the file in front of her, her finger gliding over the paper,
“Right you’re healthy. The only thing we noticed on the results back are that your pregnant” Rita said looking back at Ada. Ada frozen on the spot.

Her eyes wide. Everything around her just disappeared for a second. How…how was this possible. She couldn’t be.

What
Did
She
Say?

Her attention was grabbed hearing a distant voice calling her name, she shook her head finding the nurse clicking her fingers in front of her. She blinked a few times.

“Uh no…” Adas voice was dry “nah you gotta check again. That…that’s not possible”

The nurse chuckled at Ada so quick to dismiss the information given to her.

“You are pregnant. You’re early. Really early but I did urine test, a blood test. You are definitely pregnant. Congratulations” The nurse smiled “I’ll sort out the medication you’ll need for early pregnancy. Give your body all the nutrients-

Ada grabbed the nurses hand. Her green eyes glowing as she stared at the doctor.

“I can’t be pregnant. I CANT!! It’s not possible. I haven’t slept with anyone in years…except…” her head turned to Cooper. His jaw dropped.

“Him” she pointed. The doctors face dropped. She looked at Ada and then Cooper. She slowly stepped back “I’m gonna get another doctor” she said running out. Her distant cries for help filled the room.

Ada leaned back, Coopers eyes just staring at her, this was not happening, it couldn’t be happening. She looked down, her fingers twiddling. She couldn’t be pregnant. She couldn’t be a mother. How could she be mother. She never had one to show her what to do. Her father long gone. How could she do this.

“Pregnant” Cooper lowered himself down before her. His words just an echo in the wasteland of her own mind. She couldn’t wrap her head around it. It was impossible.

Her head perked up as another doctor came in the room. She hoped for something more hopeful, some better news. A wrong diagnosis.

“Hello Miss” He smiled, he was older, grey hairs starting to show. He looked just like her father. A little stubble.

“He-“ her throat dry as she reached for her water taking a few big gulps. The doctor looked down at her showing a smile.

“Okay so I’m a more experienced doctor” he chuckled “I’m also from up there, been here awhile. I’ve worked with the brotherhood” he added. Suddenly she felt reassured this guy knew his stuff.

“And doctor? I’m all good right” she pipped up.

“Yeah! You’re all good but you are pregnant” he added. Ada’s face turned white as a ghost.

“We call it a chemical pregnancy, I’ve seen them several times. Rare but it does happen. Usually between…” he coughed “ghouls” he added. She could tell he felt awkward.

“How?” Cooper asked while she remained shocked.

“Basically she’s still human. She’s also a ghoul. The chemicals mix with your..sperm which is radioactive. They blend, somehow react her womb” he explained “somehow the chemicals react and create…the pregnancy” he explained. They both looked mortified and shocked at the same time

“Honestly I’ve only known three of these over my sixty years of being a doctor” he added seeing their baffled expressions. “Seeing this would technically be a human pregnancy you will still need to take the medication or a normal pregnancy. From my experience, you have about five maybe six months to expect this baby”

Ada remained silent. Her mind panicking. He was just listing more and more worries for her to worry about. Cooper huffed and walked out of the room. He didn’t say a word and she expected no less. Even she didn’t know what to say.

“You will be okay Miss” she looked up at the doctor

“But how…” she said softly “I can’t…” she shook her head.

“I know it’s a lot to absorb. It’s a pretty rare phenomenon to be fair. You never expect the unexpected” she just stared him. It was just muted words she heard. Before he left the room.

There she sat.

Alone.

Blank.

Terrified.

Chapter Text

Ada’s bare feet walked down the vault halls. Wearing just the nightgown. She blankly stared and walked. She knew where she was going. Most of the normal vaults had garden type things. Helped with feeling dissociated with the prewar world.

She held the metal pole attached to the IV bags as she pulled the wheels with her as she walked. It was quiet. The lights were on low.
That meant everyone was asleep. Or should be.
Her eyes came across the words.

‘Garden’

She pushed the button on the wall, opening the doors as she stepped inside. She lowered herself down onto a bench. A small water feature trickled water down into a pond type thing. The sound played birds chirping.

She just stared at the water feature flowing water down in a mystical motion. She was cold, so cold. She felt her body trembling. A toxic mixture of cold and terror.

Pregnant.

Her whole world turned upside down in a matter of moments. Everything was going well. She had finally found her confidence to travel alone without a companion. She did so…fucking…good.

A hand touching her shoulder made her jump as she turned around seeing Lucy. She wore her Vault-Tec blue pjs and dressing gown. In her hand she held another gown and a hot chocolate in the other.

“The pros of underground living?” She said handing her the gown. She placed the hot collage down before helping her put the dressing gown on. “It’s freezing in here. The heating needs fixing” Lucy said wrapping it around her arms.

She sat beside her handing her the chocolate.

“Cream and marshmallows with chocolate sprinkles” Lucy smiled “the perfect thing for a lousy day. Trust me, a lot of cousin stuff and then finding out your family…” she trailed off “but a hot chocolate made it all better” she said in her chirpy tone.

Ada brought it up to her lips taking a sip. Leaving a cream moustache around the edge of her lips. A soft

‘’mmm” escaped her lips as she drank a little more. The gown had helped a bit to warm her up a little.

“Do you know?” Ada said looking over at her. Ada’s voice was quiet, almost a little broken.

“Yeah I know” she said softly “Cooper told me” she placed her hand on Ada’s “you can stay here and have a healthy pregnancy” Lucy said as Ada looked at her.

“Hell no” Ada said “I’m going back to Vegas the second I’m free. Cooper walked out on me, he made his decision. His wife is next door. And I’m not staying here in this tin can. I escaped once Lucy I’m not getting locked away again. I’ll be safe in Vegas. I have C and a bunch of people to help me stay safe and look after this baby” Ada said finishing her hot chocolate.

“I think staying here for the pregnancy is best. You need doctors”

“I have doctors in Vegas. Good doctors. I have one who worked for the brotherhood too” Ada was firm on her decision.

“I can’t force you to stay” Lucy sighed

“I’ll shoot my way out of here if I have too” Ada added. Silence fell between the two. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that” Ada retreated “I’m just scared. I’m the monster under the bed and I’ll be easing a baby. What about when I turn? I’ll scare them. I never had a mother Lucy. I don’t know these things. I’m scared” Ada looked at Lucy, her eyes filled with fear and worry.

“No one is ever ready to become a mother Ada. We’re not born knowing this knowledge. No one is. They learn as they go. You make mistakes and you learn from them” Lucy squeezed Ada’s hand.

“What if something happens to me. I don’t think Cooper is interested in this. He just found out about Janey. He lost a child and gained a child in the same day. It’s a cruel twisted fall of fate”

“I think he’ll come around. He was a bit lost earlier. A million miles away. I got bits from him. He barely strung a sentence together. He’d been drinking” Lucy explained. Ada just looked back at the water feature.

“That’s why I think I should just go back. It’s the last thing he needs” Ada said softly “and i guess it’s my only chance. Doctor even said it, this was some bizarre miracle” she shrugged throwing her head in her hands.

She honestly had no idea what she was going to do. She ran her fingers through her knotted hair.

“I’d kill for a shower though. Clean clothes” Ada asked Lucy.

“Sure come on. I’ll take you to my place” Lucy picked up the mugs leading Ada out. She was still pretty sore. She unplugged the IV drip leaving the stand outside the garden room before hurrying after Lucy.

It wasn’t far, just a few steps and turns and we arrived to her little place. She had a letterbox outside. They really did try in some vaults. Ada thought to herself as Lucy showed her to the bathroom.

“Soap, shampoo. And I’ll go find some comfy clothes for you” she smiled leaving Ada alone. A dangerous thing to do. She looked at the alcohol cupboard.

“Eh can’t have that anymore” she rolled her eyes heading into the shower room. She closed the door behind her pretty much locking herself in. She took off her robe and hospital gown looking at her body in the mirror in front of her.

She felt disgusted in her body these days. The more scars healed the tougher and rougher her body became. Her fingers glided over the healed hardened claw marks. She couldn’t picture herself pregnant.

‘Uh oh’ her stomach growled and twisted inside her as she hurried pulling the toilet seat up. Her head yanking forward violently as she threw up.

Her arms draped over the toilet seat, this wasn’t budging. The trip home was going to be rough.

“Mid fight with raiders but wait can you let me puke…I have morning sickness” she muttered stupidly shaking her head. She was totally screwed and she knew that. She pulled herself to her feet feeling pretty weak overall. She hoped she’d be able to stand for awhile longer to shower.

She turned on the shower waiting for it to heat before hearing the vault door open outside. Lucy back with the clothes probably.

She stepped inside the shower closing the curtain behind her. The hot water ran over her skin taking the blood, dirt and anything else unwanted washing it away. She watched below as the dirt and blood was swallowed by the plug hole.

Her hand steadying her against the wall as she picked up the soap running it all over her skin. Feeling clean was a rare thing in the wasteland without proper heating and water filtration. The only reason the casinos had it was her and C had raided a few vaults over their time and fixed up something.

The urge to heave kept coming as Ada held it down. How long does the sickness last. She thought to herself.

She managed to finish showering and washing before stumbling out of the shower to vomit again. Tears rolled over her cheeks, her eyes burning. She was so tired.

She dragged herself up and left the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her. No sight of Lucy anywhere. But some Vault-Tec pjs on the bed in front of her.

She sat down on the bed falling backwards, the bed was so soft. Like hug. She flopped over moving up under the covers.

Tonight was she done caring.

She reached over turning off the room lights, darkness surrounding her as she sunk into the bed. She knew…well she hoped Lucy wouldn’t mind. The pillows and blankets were comforting.

A soft, happy moan escaping her lips as she drifted off into sleep. A little yawn being the last sound from her.

Chapter Text

Ada awoke to the sound of someone calling breakfast over the speakers. She laid there just listening. She was still curled up in bed. If she could stay there forever in that bed she would. No sickness all night. But she was yet to move or smell.

But sadly nothing lasts.

The door to the vault opened up. She shot up in bed seeing Lucy come in with a plate. A smile on her face.

“Good morning” her happy chirpy voice “I brought you some toast. I figured you would be hungry but hungry for something that would hopefully stay down” she rambled bringing over the toast “also tea…coffee is bad for the…” she pointed “baby…”

“It’s ok. It can’t hear you” Ada chuckled “but tea really? I haven’t had it since my own vault” and said happy picking up the cup taking a sip. “Yum” slips her lips.

Lucy sat down on the bed opposite Ada.

“Are you gonna talk to Coop today?” Ada’s eyes shot up as she took a bite of the toast, it tasted like cardboard but still food was food. Even prewar. Ada felt Lucy’s eyes burning on her skin.

“I’m…uh actually leaving” Ada said swallowing the toast “get a head start back home. Should be home in a few days” she shrugged “give or take…pit stops” she said thinking about the sickness.

“You can’t” Lucy stood up staring at Ada

“Lucy he hasn’t come to talk to me, he isn’t interested trust me” Ada said a little amped up “what am I meant to do? Wait forever because I don’t have forever, I have five fucking months and a speedy pregnancy” Ada stopped and just put the plate down. She laid back down rolling over. Pulling the blanket over her head.

“I’m leaving end of” Ada said bluntly under the sheets.

“Ada I really do think you’re overreacting slightly. I know it’s intense-

“No..no…no” Ada sat up again “intense for you guys is fighting over who gets the last slice of jello cake. Intense is being a mutated human monster expecting a child” Ada stared at Lucy. These vault dwellers sure know how to piss her off. Her eyes glaring a Lucy. “If Cooper was interested Lucy he would have come, he would have been here. But he isn’t” Ada stared down her fingers “I’m alone…again” her tone saddened as she realised how alone she was.

Lucy’s awkwardness was obvious. You could see she was trying to find some vault dweller way to cheer her up or defuse the situation.

“I really don’t think you should leave today. Please stay just today” Lucy pleaded “One day won’t effect your plans” Her huge eyes sharing down at Ada. She rolled her eyes and huffed

“Okay fine” Ada snapped “go get me another tea and I’ll stay” Ada showed a small smile towards Lucy as she clapped her hand heading out the vault. Ada let out a sign throwing herself back on the bed. What the hell was she gonna do stuck in this tin can all day. What did she use to do?

School…hanging out with Anita…

There was nothing like that here. Ads pushed herself to her feet going through the clothes Lucy had left. One of those items being one of the dresses from Ada’s bag.

Cleaned.

It actually looked prettier clean. It was a black dress with bees dotted all over it. She shrugged and stood up, realising that she had to towel around her still. She got dressed and brushed her hair with a bristle brush on the nightstand.

“Hey!” Said a soft voice she turned around seeing Norm.

“Oh hi Norm..” she responded turning around to face him.

“I was wondering if you could teach me to shoot” he blurted out catching her off guard totally.

“Like a gun?” She asked seeing him nod a little shy “um sure. Do you have anything we can use. They took all my guns” she turned around to her backpack staring at it “eh they pretty much took everything” she turned back to Norm showing alight struggle.

“Yes…I do. In the armoury” she took in a sigh and gave a hand gesture to lead the way. I guess this was what she was doing today. Teaching Norm to shoot a gun.

They left the vault room heading down the hall, a cafeteria type thing separated them from the other side of the room. She looked around seeing the corn field. The sunny screen against the wall. Wasn’t quite as picturesque as the real thing.

Her eyes glanced around before clocking Lucy, Lucy talking to Cooper. Her eyes widened and then narrowed seeing him. They were close, almost seemed sneaky and whispery.

Lucy laughed slapping Coopers chest, anger bubbled inside her stomach and chest. Cooper showed a smile as he looked away. Their eyes locking as his smile faded slightly seeing Ada.

Her eyes burned on him, she stood there staring at him. She could feel the itch to just rip Lucy apart and use Cooper as a garnish. Coopers body shifted to stare fully at her as Norm coughed breaking her attention from Coop.

“It’s just down here” he said opening the vault door. Armoury written above the door. She turned back seeing Cooper had vanished. She returned her attention to Norm following him inside as the door shut behind us.

They walked into the room which had three dummies at the end of the long room. Different lanes separated from dummies. She attention turned to the rack full of guns. Her eyes lit up.

“You guys have all this shit and yet you almost got overrun by raiders?” She shot a look at Norm

“That’s the thing only a few of us are taught this. Usually one kid from each family. That was Lucy. I could never focus long enough. But now…since that attack, I feel like a coward” Norm stopped at stared at Ada “I hid. I hid with the women away from the fighting while my sister, fought after being stabbed. I need to know how to protect myself, my family and this vault”

Ada understood

“It doesn’t make you a coward to be scared of those people Norm. They are terrifying. They have no bounds, no morals, no rules, they’re wild and reckless. Heck even I’m scared of them” Ada admitted showing a smile to try and cheer him up but she wasn’t wrong nor was she lying.

“Up there is even worse, fiends…they eat you, alive or dead” Ada added as Norms eyes filled with fear “the raiders, ugh Caesars legion…they hang you up on a cross and just let the wasteland do its job. Until you’re dead” She turned around picking up a pistol loading it. “Then you have my types” she turned back to Norm

“Vault Dwellers?” Norm asked as she chuckled

“No ghouls” she pointed to her eyes and hardened skin on her legs. “Two types. Feral and mine and Coopers kind. Feral they will rip you apart. Cooper, he fights everyday not to turn. And me, I’m still turning, I have been for a few years now. Sometimes it’s quick” she shrugged “sometimes it’s slow. Cooper he’s over two hundred years old…” She showed a kind smile holding up the gun pointing away from her as she set off the rounds.

BANG

BANG

BANG

BANG

The sounds of gunshots were loud, they echoed. Norm jumped with every show Ada released as she turned looking at the paper man hanging down, two head shots and two in the chest.

“Now it’s easy when your target stays still. Moving is what you need to worry about” she said as the door opened behind Norm. Coopers eyes burning with Ada

“And here is the perfect dummy” Ada snapped. “Fancy running around out there, letting me and Norm shoot at ya” her tone felt like every word was a sting.

“The fuck are you doing. With your condition?” Cooper questioned her. The anger on his tone.

“Norm wants to learn to shoot, you can take bullets and heal can’t you?” Her hands placed on her hips “and I have no condition you need to worry about cowboy” she was cold as she turned back to the rack reloading her pistol and one for Norm.

It took every little bit of her being to do wrap her around Cooper. She restrained herself and her tears. She wasn’t letting him get the better of her. Not this time. She heard Coop huff behind her as she turned back watching him move into the room opposite them.

“Now moving targets usually are a bit tricker”

“Even harder without VATS” Cooper scoffed and her eyes glare up at him. Her tilted as she shot up her middle finger “carefully missy I’ll bite that damn thing off” She shook her head looking back to Norm. Letting the gun go off, she heard Cooper hoot as he just out of the way dodging the first bullet. “They move a lot when they’re being total babies” she chuckled letting an other round pop. Her attention focusing back to Coop. “But sometimes, VATS isn’t necessary” she eyed lined Cooper through the pistol and just hit off every shot.

“You…fucking-“

Her eyes darting where he moved to. She definitely got him three times at least. She lowered the gun ignoring Coopers curses.

“Your go Norm” said said chirpy handing the other pistol to Norm. She moved close to his ear “Use VATS. Make sure you hit him” she whispered.

She watched Norm as he lifted the gun up, his fingers twiddling with his pipboy.

“Ah there we go fuckin’ VATS” Cooper shouted across the room

“Ignore him” she said firmly “just shoot him” she looked back at Cooper as Norm dropped the gun.

“I can’t do this…you guys are just…” he stopped before leaving the room. Her attention went back to Cooper.

“Oh look! You scared the dude” Ada muttered putting the pistols back up on the rack.

“The fuck you chatting sweetheart. It was clearly you” Cooper stepped out behind her. She could feel his presence close to her. Any closer and she might just kill him.

“Having fun with Lucy” Ada said with a slight mocking sarcasm. She felt him move closer “step back cowboy” she turned around seeing there was maybe a foot parting them.

Her eyes staring at his, she wanted to rip him apart. Just tear him apart and stomp on him, the fantasy playing over in her head.

“Get away from me Cooper. I ain’t in no mood for this shit. Your shit. I got enough going on ok?” Ada had a sigh of relief flood over her.

“You know…my wife…ex wife” Cooper said gravely “she’s gone. Her chamber empty. Somehow she got out” Cooper looked at Ada as her eyes widened

“what how? She was an ice pop. I saw her. Norm even saw her. Heck he knew her chamber number” Ada felt so confused. How had this happened. Her mind reflecting back to the pain. She hit the button. “Oh god. It was me”

“Yeah we guessed that much” Cooper scoffed

“Well you better get out there and track her down like the bounty hunter you are” Ada pushed past him. A rough nudge as she moved towards the door.

He grabbed her spinning her around to face him. Her breathing heavy and slightly panicked as she stared him directly in the eye.

“The things I would do to you if we weren’t here” she rolled her eyes pushing him off her.

“Really you treat me like trash, you follow me, say some sweet shit and then ditch me. What the fuck makes you think I’ll fuck you” she snapped angrily at him “Hell no!” She pushed him again “you don’t get into my good books just like that”

The look in her eyes was clear and furious. The pain like a sharp knife through her chest.

“You don’t come in and kiss the boo boo better Cooper. I’ve been there for you. No matter what I was there. I followed you, I forgave you. I loved yo-

She stopped feeling those tears trying to burst out.

“But I can’t forgive this so easy. The one time I really really needed you. And you weren’t here. You were off laughing and flirting with fucking Lucy…” she looked down at the ground “you hurt me Coop. You really hurt me. Just forget me, forget all this. Go and find your wife” Ada continued looking down. She couldn’t look at him. She’d break. She thought she was doing the right thing.

“I don’t want her Ada. I want you” his voice was soft as he placed his fingers under her chin tilting it up. She resisted slightly before be used heavier force. “I have been an asshole I know” she looked him dead in the eyes. Those brown eyes flushing over her. How could she be so weak around someone. No will to step her and hold her ground. Instead she just wanted him to told her. She tried her hardest to avoid looking him in eyes.

“It’s been you since I set eyes on you way before we came to Vegas” he paused, his breath was hot against her skin. “You think us meeting was coincidence? Hell no, I knew the Vaulty who owned a casino. Quite the badass. Glowing green eyes” he paused as a confused look came on her face.

What the hell was he saying?

“People talk Ada. You have made a name for yourself. And while we’re trying to find Lucy’s dad. Find out any information. Your name kept coming up. Ada the vault dweller. Ada the ghoul. The lone wanderer, She’s located in Vegas. She’s been around, she knows most thing. Bad ass adventurer” he kept listing off names.

Her eyes flickered back over to him “Oh I knew you darlin. All those people couldn’t be wrong. And that’s just this side of the coast. Imagine everywhere else” he paused leaning closer “how could I not take a peak”

He tracked her down from the very beginning. He already knew her. And word of mouth. Was she that easy to find. If anything she learnt she would never truly be safe. People talk too much.

“You found me?” Her voice broke from dryness.

“Of course. You were this angel to the wasteland and the devil always needs a sweet taste every now and then. But you…” he blew out air trying to find the words to use. “You were like the sun. Your touch was like radiation it warmed me. But in a way no one…NO ONE” he pointed at her “has ever made me feel”

She was truly taken aback by all this. She was super confused. One hand still pressed again her shoulder keeping her against the wall. It wasn’t fate they met. It wasn’t a change of the tides. It was a hunt. She was hunted.

“And this…this new adventure” his hand moved from her chin or her stomach “this one…is just …”

She held her breath. This was it.

“I never thought I’d get a second chance in my life Ada. And just like that, I do, it was a lot of take in Ada. I didn’t know what to do” she looked up at him. A massive sigh of relief escaping her lips. She couldn’t hold back anymore. She wrapped her arms around the nape of his neck, her lips crushing into his, he stumbled back a few steps his hands finding her hips to pull her with him. Her lips attached like glue.

Chapter Text

Ada sat across from Cooper in their own Quarters that the vault had given them. Ada held a cup of tea in her hands. They had been talking most of the evening between each other. They needed to get whatever angst they both had out on the table.

“I can’t believe you actually shot me” Cooper smirked

“I can’t believe I actually hit you” Ada chuckled taking a sip of her drink. Her eyes watching Coopers movement opposite her.

“I guess I did deserve it” he shrugged

“Not as much as me. I really shouldn’t have just left like that. I just felt…cornered, stuck. I didn’t understand how we could go from the beautiful date night to you seeing red with every look at me” she explained “I figured I was doing the right thing. Finding your family to move on. I didn’t plan any of this. Bullshit side quests” she checked winking at him. She watched him pour out some bourbon.

He handed her a glass as she pointed down to her stomach

“Can’t now” she muttered unimpressed “can’t fucking believe it. Who came up with that no alcohol rule” she took out a tub of chips looking over at Cooper.

“I’m honestly sorry…I didn’t think…I thought this way impossible. I’m practically jerky and you’re on your way to becoming jerky” he said throwing his head back drinking the drink.

Ada stared at him, she looked down at her flat stomach, it wouldn’t be flat for long. She ran her hand over her stomach.

“I never thought about it” Ada said softly spoken “even in the vault. It never came across my mind. I mean I was eighteen, who thinks of that stuff” She paused “Then when I left, all the beatings, wounds the rad damage, I’d hurt myself or been on the verge of death so many times Coop” she paused fiddling with her fingers. “I had given up on all that stuff. The husband, the baby, the little dream house shack” she laughed at how ridiculous she sounded “I traded it all in to be an adventurer. Help people. I never thought about helping myself”

Ada was just word vomiting her emotions right now. Neither of them expected this situation. She felt a lot of emotions and feelings and knew of no way to describe them all.

“When did it first come across your mind?” Ada looked up at Cooper.

“The first time I woke up and saw my eyes. After C found me outside that vault. Rex was apparently howling, that’s the only way he found me. When I woke up, I knew it was too late. Sure I could probably still find a husband” she shrugged “Wasn’t a lot of choice but sure she I could pick one out of a hat” she chucked hearing Cooper growl across from her “but the chances of a baby. That was fully dead. I figured it was the worlds way of saying no to me”

Her breathing was slow and calm considering the subject. Silence fell upon them as they both thought about their own worlds for a moment.

“Janey was my last chance…or so I thought” Cooper added finally “but she lived a good happy life from what I’ve seen. She didn’t need a fuck up like me taking that away from her”

Ada’s eyes fell upon Coop,

“We’re all secretly fuck ups. Every single one of us. None of us should exist. We should have all died the second those bombs dropped. But we didn’t…our lives have been the result of fuck ups. How could we expect anything different?” Ada explained looking at Cooper. “Vault living isn’t normal! Living up there isn’t normal” she continued “but she got to experience it all safely. That’s all you want for your child right?” She said placing her hand on his leg, a small smile beaming at him.

“I spoke to a few people. She use to play my movies and tell people I was her daddy” his voice broke as the words came out. Ada’s gripped tightened around his leg “she remembered me. Told people I saved her from the bombs” a tear fell from his eyes as he stared at the floor.

“But she remembered you” Ada said trying to convince him that what he was saying was in fact good. She didn’t to her whole life forgetting her father.

“She’s the reason Barb is still or was still frozen. She saw her as a threat” Cooper looked up at Ada “she wanted me dead and Janey remembered that”

Ada pulled back

“She kept her own mother frozen?” She’s questioned him, her eyes heavily focused on him.

“She remembered that day, she remembered me following her into the vault, she remembered them hitting me and throwing me out to the wasteland before closing the door. The last thing I heard was her screaming”

Ada stood up feeling a bit sick to her stomach. She knew this already but not the part of Janey remembering. She kept her mother frozen like the monster Barb was.

“Guess she was a daddy’s girl” Ada murmured

“Most girls are” Ada chuckled and nodded thinking back to her own father. Her birthday came to her mind. The first time she ever held a gun. A BB gun it might have been but nonetheless a gun still.

A smile spread across her face

“Thinking about your father?” Cooper said moving towards her. She gave a slight nod.

“What do you remember most about him?” He asked her as he leant on the wall beside her. His eyes watching her movements as she turned to face him.

“His smell. He always smelt like soap” she chuckled through tears. Sometimes when she caught a glimpse of the smell of soap with would send her back to him holding her in his arms after coming home bruised from Butch and the bullies. “But a vivid memory” she returned to the chair smiling at him.

“My dad had put himself into this machine. This simulation, and I was fresh out of the vault. No idea what the hell I’m doing. But I had to rescue him. I had to enter myself into the simulation to try and find him” Ada passed taking a sip of her drink and wetting her lips. These goddamn vaults made her feel like she was drying out slowly.

“It was this crazy whirlwind, so twisted and fucked up. But alas I saved him. He was the damn dog. When we first see each other out of the simulation. His surprise to see his little girl standing right in front of him” she smiled a bold and bright smile, enough to light a town “he cuddled me, told me I shouldn’t have left the vault” she chuckled mid tears “maybe all daughters are daddy’s girls” she chuckled wiping the tears from her eyes. “but we have a baby to think of Cooper”

Coopers eyes burning over her, his desire bubbling for her. His pregnant wasteland companion.

No that didn’t sound right. Coopers face thought for a moment as he looked over at Ada, he knew she deserved the word. She deserved better than a wasteland bounty hunter and being knocked up. In prewar she was definitely the type of gal he’d marry. She was strong, feisty, independent. Everything he’d want. She stood on her own and with a team. But she had one hell of a bite.

“Honestly I don’t know what to do. I never had a mother. I don’t know what to do” Ada stood up pacing back and forth around the room. Coopers attention fell back on her as he drifted in thought.

“It’s okay, I remember most of it” Cooper piped up “I remember the late night feeds, the crying…” he paused “the laughter and giggles” he looked over at Ada “we’re gonna be ok sugar”

His voice was soft, a rare moment for Cooper. Her eyes pleaded with him. He was her only hope. That he remembered being a father and could guide Ada through this.

Cooper coughed and stood up moving over to her.
“Look I have a few things I have to do” Ada’s eyes looked up at him “I promise I won’t be long. Take a shower, watch a movie” He said pointing to the tv in rather a hurry. Her eyes focusing over at him as he picked up his jacket hurrying out the vault door just leaving her standing there.

What had just happened?

————

Hours had passed. Ada had in-fact showered, watched two of his movies. She sat slouched into the sofa munching down on chips while she watched the end of A Man and his Dog.

The alarm for a vault meeting went off demanding everyone went to the atrium for a vault meeting.

She shrugged it off. It didn’t include her. She was just a temporary resident. She kicked her feet up onto the table in front of her. Her lying position was not a compliment to her.

A few moments later she’s got her legs curled up on the sofa and her head on a cushion. The movie had finished and she found herself watching the little vault boy advertised S.P.E.C.I.AL

Her eyes glued to the screen watching the little man running around and getting himself to trouble. She found herself agreeing with a lot of the scare tactics about being up there and out of the vault.

It was pretty dark now in her vault room, she leaned up turning on the lamp at the side of her head. All of her snacks were gone.

She threw her head back and let out a moan in frustration.

“Okay…dinner” she wandered out of her vault door, slippers on her feet, comfortable vault-tec pjs stuck to her as she walked towards the kitchens.

She came out of the dorms and into the atrium. It was quiet, too quiet. Her eyes peered around seeing not a single soul. She had definitely seen people moving past her window back in her room.

She kept on looking around before a hand grabbed her shoulder. A scream escaped her lips as her hand reached down…

Oh

Fuck

Force of habit to grab her gun.

To her surprise it was Lucy. Her big brown eyes lit up looking at her “Hey I’ve been looking for you” Lucy had this creepy ass vibe about her. She was to happy.

“Eh you found me. What’s up?” Ada said seeing some Cotten candy bites on the table still wrapped. A soft moan escaping her lips as she bit down on one.

“Uh yeah…I’m gonna need all of you” she said moving hand gestures around Ada’s body.

“What does that even mean?” Ada said munching on a few more bites.

“Just come with me” Ada took her hand taking her the opposite way to the kitchen. Ada’s eyes looked back at the dripped candy bites.

They were still in date and tasted great. A rare find unless you lived in a vault.

Lucy dragged Ada to a door. She turned Ada to face her. Her eyes were bigger, Ada swore on that. It was beginning to kinda freak her out a little bit.

“Go inside” Lucy said before walking off in a fast paced manner. Ada just stood there. What the hell was happening. She turned looking at the door. This was her own room. Why had Lucy brought Ada back to the room she’d come from. Her trust issues flaring up as she pushed the vault door open button.

Slight darkness and candle light welcomed Ada. She could see around seeing candles scattered. The light flickered off the walls revealing a shadow moving towards her from the darkness behind the sofa as it moved around it.

Coopers dark brown eyes lit up like chocolate. A smile on his face. He was wearing a black suit, no tie, but still looking dapper as hell.

“Uh what’s going on Coop?” Ada’s voice was still a little on nerve. She watched Cooper move in front of her.

“You little miss Vault dweller. You’ve done something to me. Something no one ever managed to do. You broke me” her eyes watching over him carefully. “The moment I saw you, you were this force I couldn’t fight you. You were this amazing beautiful woman. One of a kind. And I don’t know if you heard but cowboys they love finding treasure” He had a smirk on his face.

Ada felt herself blush

“You were the rarest treasure of all. From the moment we met, I knew our adventures were just beginning. Life when I’m around you seems so perfect. It makes sense again. And you make me feel human” Ada watched him drop on one knee. A ring in between his fingers.

“Will you give me a second chance at life sugar and marry me? His voice was soft spoken that husky cowboy tone soothing you like the hum of song from long ago. Her hand covering her mouth as she looked down seeing the ring, it was proper. Not just something from the wasteland, it was clean and sparkling.

“What do ya say Sugar? Wanna make a cowboy happy?”

Chapter Text

She stared down at Coop, she didn't know what was happening. She'd only seen this in the movies. His hand squeezed hers slightly as if he was trying his hardest to get her to react. Shock mix with confusion.

"Uh..." he voice was dry as she looked down at Cooper "is this really happening?" He lowered herself down to his level "I'm really confused if I'm dreaming or not" he chuckled looking in her eyes

"It's real. It's what i was planning with Lucy" she stood back up looking at Lucy, she was a bit surprised. She turned back around looking down at Coop.

"Say somethin sugar" he said eagerly

"Yes"  the words tumbled out of her mouth as Coop stood up scooping her face between his palms. Their lips brushing over each other softly.

What the actual shit was going on?

Two weeks ago she was wandering through the desert making her way for California. Now she's  pregnant and engaged. This isn't her story surely. She watched Cooper put the ring on her finger. Her eyes glancing down at it, small sparkles escaping the rock in the middle.

"Where? How did you get this?" She exclaimed shocked

"Apparently it's was Janey's engagement ring" Cooper said softly "she had a long and happy marriage, healthy, happy children and I want that for you and me" Cooper for a moment forgot the ghoul he was. He felt like the man he once was.

Ada stood just staring at the ring on her finger.
Confused she saw the reflection of her eyes in the diamond sparkling back at her. Her eyes glanced back up at Cooper.

"Can I have a minute guys. This is just...this is a lot" Ada asked around "I just need a minute please" that please was edging begging, her voice broke slightly as she tried to keep it together. Everyone left expect Cooper. He shut the doors behind everyone turning back to seeing Ada having what could only be considering a mental breakdown.

"You ok sugar? We don't have to this" Cooper said running his hands up her back.

"No this..this is perfect" she said smiling through her tears "but it just made me feel like...it wasn't me. It feels like I'm yet to wake up" he showed her a soft smile "I'm not worthy of this. This was your daughter's ring" Ada softened "I don't deserve-

Cooper took her lips against his. His hand moving behind the back of her hair grasping her hair.

He yanked her hair a little, tilting her head backwards. His lips pressing against her throat softly, his teeth grazing her skin within the kiss.

"You know, you'll always be mine now" he growled against the lower part of her ear "you can't say otherwise now. Like you really enjoy doing" His voice was deep and husky. "And you've been far to rebellious recently"

A soft moan escaped her lips. Her hands pressed against the kitchen counter behind her holding her up for support.

"And you know how it makes me feel when you kick up" his lips climbed her jawline.

"Eh you had it coming" She gasped

"Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't. But someone's gotta pay the price and today that someone will"  she melted into his hold. Their bodies draped around each other as he took her to the bed.

Cooper moved quickly to sweep her into his arms, pressing her down on the bed,  he took her mouth fiercely.  He swallowed her throaty moan, his hands moving over her body.

Her legs wrapped around his waist while she desperately rocked against him. his cock angling between them seeking entry. Breaking from her lips, scraping his teeth against her skin before sucking a bruise in to her neck.

A groan tore from his throat as he struggled to stop himself from plunging his cock into her as her thighs dropped open in invitation. Her hands moved restlessly against him, her fingertips dragging over his chest.

He snatched at her hands before she could touch him, gripping them together and raising them above her head. He braced himself on his arms, still holding her hands with one of his.

Cooper pressed soft kisses against her forehead He braced himself on his forearms before easing his hips back, sliding out of her slowly. Ada found herself arching off the bed, her breasts seeking contact with the rough, yet smooth skin of his torso.

She moaned deep in her throat as he gripped her hips in his large hands, angling her body up to his for his cock to achieve an even deeper seat inside of her.

She reared up on her elbows to press her lips to the side of his throat, her fingertips sliding down over the damp sides of his back feeling his muscles straining beneath her hands.

She could feel the intense pleasure building again, so close yet not quite there.

"Coop... I need... please...I need..." She whispered urgently against him.

Cooper allowed his hands to slide up her thighs and pull her knees up towards her chest.
"You need to cum for me" His words had an electrifying effect on both, his short strokes pushing her over the edge as she emitted a squeal and began to come.

With a loud shout, he slammed into her, coating her insides.
Ada threw her head back, her lips falling open in a wordless scream. Her fingernails dug in as she dragged them down his shoulders before they fell limply onto the bed.

"Now how about that question again..." Cooper chuckle "wanna marry me?" They both laid on their backs looking up at the ceiling. Their breathing loud as they panted

"Yeah sounds good" Ada looked over at him, a smile spread across his face. "So how does one get married in the nuclear apocalypse?" She asked

"I was thinking...here. They have a church, a priest. It's the closest prewar wedding you're going to get" Coop suggested.

"Jeez Coop I'm feeling more and more like a fucking dweller all over again" he laughed "okey dokey, sounds great" Ada said putting her vault dweller voice on.

"You know, sound kinda hot" she snorted out a giggle as she rolled on her side looking over at him. To crazy ass ghoulish freaks.

"Are you sure you want to do this all?" Ada asked softly "i mean I know I'm super addictive..." he flicked her hair flirtatiously "but you don't have to. You're not obligated" she said sincerely giving him the chance to run.

"I never thought I'd ever feel like the man I use to be. But damn Vaulty, I guess you've made me soft" she felt herself blush at his words. "Because the past few days all I've thought about it how much of a beautiful wife and mother you'll be...but most of all. My wasteland buddy" he chuckled

"Oh my god I'll not be able to go out and explore for years...YEARS" she shot up at the realisation for adventuring was going to be on pause for awhile.

"I mean you never really left Vegas gates before I met you. How long had it been?" Cooper asked a validating question. It had in fact been a few years, she just ran the bar, broke up fights and scared of the odd traveller who dared enter the gates, "plus if it means that much to you? We can always use C as a babysitter and run off into the wasteland" he mumbled as his eyes drifted off.

Her eyes shot down at him as smile covered her lips. He wanted to raise the baby in Vegas. Not here. A sigh of relief fell over her. Vegas was her home. She knew people who would help at the drop of the needle and come to her aid.

——

Ada struggled to sleep so decided to go help Lucy and Norm. And apparently half the vault had decided to help decorate for her and Coopers wedding.

Coop had apparently decided the next day would be fitting for such a role.

"To quote he said while you still had you additive curves" Lucy said reluctantly "plus he knows how big you're gonna get. We don't have any dresses you'll fit into" she giggled.

"Dresses?" Ada asked

"Well a bride wears white. Poofy kind of dresses" Lucy did her best to explain. But Ada had never seen a wedding dress in her life.

"What's wrong with this?" She asked at her own dress

"Well it's looks more like a funeral dress than a bridal dress" Norm stated from behind Lucy as she pointed and agreed with him.

Ada gave a slow nod as Lucy took her hand and dragged her over to three dresses on a rack.

"Now we're limited to dresses" Lucy added "but these are the three our vault own. When we each use them we write our names inside them" Ada ran her fingers over the list of names on one dress. So many names.

So many generations.

"Now would it be weird to wear the dress his daughter wore?" Ada asked

"See considering the thought that he'll be ripping it off you, and we'll have to throw it out. I'm thinking maybe none of these" Lucy double thought "we have a seamstress. She's pretty good. Maybe you both could come up with something" Ada shrugged and continued to follow Lucy.

She truly had no idea what the hell was happening. She was dragged into a room close by welcomed by an older looking lady. She wore the standard blue jump suit and showed a small smile to Ada before turning her attention to Lucy.

"How can I help Lucy?" Her voice sounded soft like glass.

"I need you to create a wedding dress for this lovely lady in a couple of hours" Lucy pleaded

"It's okay I can wear one of the others" Ada said trying to step back

"She's pregnant. We have to be quick" Lucy added

"Okay we're just telling everyone that information" Ada added looking at Lucy. Lucy showed a soft smile before leaving Ada alone with the old woman. It was clear the old woman didn't like her.

"Don't worry darlin I ain't afraid of your types" she hobbled over towards Ada with her walking stick. Ada watched the woman carefully. Was she hinting at her ghoulish features?

"Pregnant out of wedlock. You young girls never learn" The woman continued as a sigh of relief came over Ada.

"Ah yeah...had no mother and my father died awhile ago so no one to teach me any of this stuff Ma'am" she paused "plus it's kinda a miracle" Ada said as the woman measured her.

"Ah a woman in the world always needs a mother to guide her" the old woman hummed "and a father to protect her" Ada looked down at the short woman "what kind of dress you after my love. I have some magazines over here" the woman hobbled over showing Ada a few really old styles bridal magazines.

Her fingers glanced over the pages. These women were gorgeous. She came across one dress that was floor length, it looked a little lacy and in her mind, she knew herself. Pregnancy was gonna take a toll, might aswell show off that figure as Cooper would say.
She pointed at the dress on the paper

"Would you like the veil too?" The woman asked as she looked at Ada. Ada gave a small nod with a a smile.

"Lovely" she said moving over to her drawers full of fabrics. "You can come back later, I'll have this done" The woman showed Ada a small kind smile as Ada nodded stepping back out the room.

How was this possible.

The lone wanderer.

Pregnant and getting married,

"Daddy I hope you're proud of me. I tried to be the best like you showed me" she whispered holding her mother and father's wedding bands that hung on a chain around her neck. The only thing she had left of them both.

Chapter Text

The next day had arrived and Ada found the day flew by around her. Everything was rushed. Her hair, a good sprout of morning sickness followed by her make up, herself standing in the atrium. Cooper staring at her from the other end.

Vault dwellers filled seats surrounding her. She gulped as her hands trembled holding a bouquet of silk flowers. Fear bubbled inside her. She was never the lead showgirl.

She jumped slightly as the music began. Cooper wore the same suit he proposed in but with the addition of the cowboy hat. She couldn’t help but smile with handsome he looked.

Lucy came up beside looping arms with her. Lucy had volunteered to walk Ada since she didn’t have a father and most of the men in the vault gave Ada the creeps.

Lucy tugged on Ada’s arm leading Ada down the aisle. Everything slowed as Ada’s anxiety perked up to red alert. Her heart pounding in her chest. It was obvious she was trembling.

Lucy pulled up her veil at the end of the aisle before taking her bouquet. Ads wore a floor length dress, with a lacy corset. The seamstress did an amazing job. It was sparkly or beady. Just angelic.

Her hair had been curled with some Vault-Tec approved curlers. Lucy had pinned her hair back slightly.

Ada’s eyes moved up to meet Coopers as he took her trembling hands. He was steady as a rock. Of course he was. He had done this before. His fingers glided over hers with a soft squeeze.

“You look gorgeous sweetheart” Cooper whispered over to her. Her cheeks flushed the brightest red. His southern accent burned through her. He was her biggest weakness.

“You don’t look to bad yourself cowboy” she winked at him.

Overseer Woody stood between them both

“Today we are gathered to wed Ada…” he paused bending down to Ada “what’s your last name miss?”

“Just Ada” she hurried him away. He coughed a little stepping back.

“Ada and Cooper Howard” he said the last part more happily. “Do you have anything you would want to say to one another?” He suggested.

Ada’s eyes dropped back down seeing Cooper wiggle his tie slightly.

“Ada. I knew you were somethin special, but then those fuck-“ Woody coughed over his expletive “green eyes…” Cooper scowled at Woody “but goddamn. You were like a drug, jet and psycho have got nothing on you baby. You’re amazing, dirty and flirty. My little killer. You will be my forever. I wouldn’t want to rot away with anyone else”

A teary eyed Ada pushed him back gently

“Oh you…” she felt so bashful as he finished

“What about you…Miss Ada” Woody was beginning to feel awkward and that was making both Cooper and Ada a little uncomfortable. She wondered to herself who would shoot him first if given the chance.

“Cooper…somehow you opened me up. The second I saw you I knew you would be trouble. You were like a radstorm swooping over me. You energise me, you make me feel alive. You make me angry too, but most of all you’ve made me feel things no one had ever made me feel. Real love” Ada said softly “and I never want it to end” her hands still trembled in his hands.

“Do you have rings or anything” Woody asked

“Shhhitt” Cooper exclaimed. Ada smiled she took the necklace from her neck and unhooked it. She slid the two rings off the chain, passing her mum ring to Cooper. “Are you sure? Those were your parents”

Ada nodded

“Never been more sure” she said sliding her father’s ring onto Coopers finger. A smile slung to Coopers face, he took her hand placing her mother’s ring onto her finger with a huge smile.

“Okay” Woody shrugged a little “I pronounced you man and wife. You can…uh kiss your bride” Woody stepped down moving towards the crowd

Cooper gripped Ada by the waist and dipped her back. Her free hand grabbed his cowboy hat holding it on his head as his lips crushed against hers. She melted into him like fire burning kindling. Her lips claimed his as he bit down on her lip slightly pulling her back up onto both feet.

He managed to somehow contain himself and keep control. They turned being cheered by the few dwellers that remained. Ada looked back at Cooper.

“Oh my god that was terrifying” she whispered into his ear.

“Not as terrifying as what I’m gonna do to you later” Cooper growled “that dress as gorgeous as it is, will be torn off the second we step though the door” Ada felt butterflies in her stomach, bubbling away.

She paused

Nope.

She pulled free from Cooper running off down the hall. Her veil falling off in her hurry. She slammed her hand onto the open button to the toilets.

She pushed it again, before finally it turned green. She ran inside as the closed behind her. She managed to reach a toilet.

More morning sickness

And nerves probably.

She wiped her mouth on tissue and held her stomach for a moment slouched against the toilet seat. She sat there and just breathed for a moment. Her head a little dizzy. She pulled herself to her feet. She was not looking forward to this every day for however long it wanted to go on.

She opened the cubicle door and moved over to the sink bending down scooping up some of the cold water from the tap. She gargled a little before spitting it out. Thankfully her make up didn’t look too bad. The tears from sickness hadn’t smudged too much.

She opened the bathroom door again stepping back out into the atrium. She forced a smile as she made her way back over to Cooper. Other dwellers brought out food and drinks with a cake.

“You ok sugar?” Cooper asked softly. His hand stroking her hair softly.

“Morning sickness…worse then rad poising to be honest” Ada murmured trying her best to not speak too much. Her stomach not quite ready for it yet.

“It’s okay this only lasts a few months. I spoke with your doctor, he said it should be over in about two if your lucky” Cooper sat Ada down at a table and chairs. Lucy handed her a glass of water.

“Guys I’m fine. You’re acting like I’m dying. I’m fin- fine” she said firmly before taking a sip of her drink.

“So will you be ok to have your first dance?” Lucy chirped in.

“Our what now?” Ada stuttered

“Oh yeah she can’t dance” Cooper chuckled “terrible. Tried it once or twice. But she’s really good at holding on a swaying so I guess we’ll do that” he said bringing her up to her feet.

“Okay but really slow. Remember I just…” she hinted at the bathroom.

“I picked your favourite song” Cooper hummed as he moved her to the middle of the room.

The end of the world by Skeeter Davis started playing. Her hand placed on her heart. It was her favourite.

He grabbed one hand and placed the other around his back. His free arm just above her ass. He moved with her slowly. Their eyes meeting with each other. It felt like a dream, he took her hand and spun her before catching her. Her stomach almost took off. Her hand fell on his chest for support as they moved together.

“You really do look bloody beautiful” he said quietly to her. She leaned up and kissed him softly moving her hand to the back of his neck. This moment didn’t feel real. It felt like a dream.

“How did we end up here Coop. Half the time we’re trying not to kill each other” Ada chucked

“Ahh marriage” he sighed happily “you couldn’t kill me if you tried. Your shots the other day sucked” he teased

“Hell no. I got you at least two or three times. I’ve seen the wounds before you got all drugged up” Ada hit his chest softly as they danced

“Fine, you got me a few times” Coop reluctantly agreed “I never thought I’d ever do this again. But I can’t live without you Ada. I realised that when I woke up in that shack. You gone. Just a fuckin-

“Note” added chuckled

“Yeah that shit. That sucked” he said still slowly moving with her “at first I was mad, but then I thought of you out there alone and I couldn’t do stop thinking about you. The idea of you getting hurt or worse…it fucking killed me Ada. A pain I haven’t felt in over two hundred years” Ada stopped moving and cupped Coopers face. She leaned up and kissed him softly. The kiss was extremely soft and tender before pulling back. She could see he wanted more.

“I promise I will never leave again. And next time I won’t leave a note” she teased him as he picked her up in his arms. Everyone else was busy as they snuck out of the atrium. I guess pleasantries were done.

He rushed back with a hop in his step. Anyone would think he’d just taken jet. He came up to their room, Ada held out her pipboy scanning the door as it beeped open.

A giggling escaping Ada’s lips as he put her down briefly. Her lips caught his as his claimed her. His hands tugging up the skirt of her dress. He growled picking her up again wrapping her legs around his waist. He placed her down on the table pulling her skirt up.

His hands dropped to his pants as he unbuckled his belt, dripping his pants to the floor. Her eyes glowing as she watched in hunger for her new husband.

“Ready sugar” his voice was husky

“Ready cowboy” she said taking his hat off placing it on her head. He growled leaning in, his teeth biting down on her lip before his top one claimed hers.

Chapter Text

The next day they had decided it was time to leave. Vault life was too much for either of them and it was obvious the other dwellers hated them. Only Lucy and Norm had been the kindest.

They both stood at the vault door as Lucy handed them both backpacks. They had clean water, food, some blankets to lay on. Lucy had been very accommodating.

“Oh I’m gonna miss you guys” she said sadly

“You can always come visit. We’re only a walk away” Ada said softly “especially when this baby comes”

Lucy smiled “of course I will visit. I don’t think vault life is for me. I think I might go find Maximus” Lucy said softly “Norm said he wants to leave too. So we both will be popping in” Lucy added.

“That’s a great…wait isn’t he with the brotherhood” Ada asked, Lucy nodded “yeah hold up” she pulled up her pipboy “this is the Vegas transmission code, it should cover part of California. Try and reach out through this and if nothing I guess then you go looking” Ada said sending the transmission to Lucy’s pipboy. “If a Knight Morris replies DO NOT mention my name, say Veronica suggested it” Ada patted Lucy on the head.

Coopers eyes burned at Ada, without looking Ada could feel it.

“And who is Knight Morris?” Asked Lucy

“We traveled…he works for the brotherhood. He’s one of dude in the tin armor. He’s pretty handy” Ada replied

“Oh I bet he’s handy” Cooper mocked “basically it’s another guy she fucked” Cooper scoffed

“Actually we never … did that” Ada said proudly as Cooper turned around walking out the door. Ada looked at Lucy

“A little bit” she whispered before cuddling Lucy “thank you again. You better pop in” she said before grabbing the bag. Rex running out the vault following Cooper.

“See you soon” Lucy called out as Cooper helped Ada climb over the flooring. The sunlight beamed down on her skin. She definitely had not missed the sticky heat.

Ada watched the vault door close behind her. A slight sadness filled her stomach. She was going to miss the food for sure.

They headed off down the path Ada once climbed alone. She came across the spot she passed out. Her dried blood hardened in the dirt as she kicked it.

“Come on we need to get into the city before we settle for the night. I need to find somewhere safe for us…you” he says continuing to walk. Ada hurrying behind him.

———

Hours had past. They had managed to make it to the city edge as clouds rolled in, the sun disappearing and reappearing. Thunder growling in the skies above. Cooper looked up at the sky and scoffed a little.

Ada peered up at him as she leans against a car. Her head spinning, she fumbled around in her bag finding a bottle of water. She downed it so quick water trickled down her chin.

Thankfully all the walking had distracted her from throwing up so far. Cooper had decided it was better to go around the city, water had blocked off more roads and the skies proved more water to come.

They came up to a huge outdoor building with chairs surrounding a stage, Ada came to a stop as she looked down at the dome. Half of it had fallen apart.

“What’s this place?” Ada asked as Cooper wandered back to her

“This is the Hollywood Bowl. Use to go here for music and such. Summer nights, alcohol. Was an alright time” Cooper said before continuing to walk. Ada ignored Cooper walking off and made her way down the steps.

Of course she had to adventure. She didn’t have many of these left. She hopped down the stairs, she heard Cooper calling after her but ignored it.

“Ada cmon it’s nothin special” his voice was a little angry. Rain started coming down as she reached the lower part, she saw a torn poster. She couldn’t tell what it said, but something musical was happening here.

She put her hands on the stage lifting herself up and over, impressed with herself.

“Still got it” she said turning around looking out at the empty rows of seats. Coopers face angry, his arms crossed as the rain poured down. Rex ran under the covered part.

“Did you ever come here?” She asked as she sat down, the rain soaking through her clothes.

“Yeah I came here. Now get inside I don’t need to soaking wet and getting ill. I already gotta time myself around that mornin sickness” he said hanging out his hand for her.

She pulled herself up to her feet with his help.

“What didn’t see?” She said following him towards a door.

“A band or somethin’ I dunno sugar it was over two hundred years ago” he muttered taking out his gun “wait here. Don’t you either of you getting into trouble” he pointed to Ada and then her stomach.

She rolled her eyes as he went inside the building. She leaned against the wall listening to the soft sounds of rain hitting the metal covering surrounding her. It was oddly relaxing. She found a metal chair on the stage corner as she sat down just listening to the rain softly falling.

She just stared out at the empty chairs, thunder growled over them as lightning hit a nearby electric tower. The lightning lit up her face startling her a little.

She pictured both her and Cooper, prewar. Here to watch some music. Ada carrying a bump, noticeably pregnant. A midnight blue floor length silk gown. Her hair pinned back. Cooper moving across the path taking her hand. He was a smoothskin, his hair brushed back. She ran her fingers through his black hair as he wrapped his arms around Ada.

“How’s my beautiful wife and precious baby girl” he bent down kissing Ada’s bump on the dress. Her cheeks flushing red.

Cooper came back out shortly after putting his guns away. Ada was miles away in thought. She let out a frightened scream as Cooper tapped her shoulder.

“You scared me…” Ada said with her hand on her heart. Cooper smirked slightly seeing her a little panicked.

“Gotta keep you on your toes. It’s empty. Couple of mattresses and some candle lights, I think we can settle here for the night” he said coming over to her “we have the vault food so no need for a fire” Ada looked up at him showing a small smile “What’s up sugar?” She turned looking back out to the empty audience.

“It must’ve been so nice back then. Do you remember much?” She asked as Cooper took her hand pulling her up on her feet.

“Unfortunately only bits. The obvious bits. Like the day it happened of course. What I ate for dinner not a clue” he chucked as he led her inside the building “it’s safer inside. Lightnings a bit crazy” he said leaving the door open for her as Rex pushed in front of them both.

Ada hesitated just standing there watching the rain falling, she was transported back to her late summer evenings in Vegas. She closed her eyes just taking in a deep breath. She always loved the smell of rain.

The sound of Coopers voice pulled her back to reality as she opened her eyes turning and looking at him. He had a simple smile. His brown eyes staring at her affectionally.

“You ok there sweetheart” his southern accent planting her back on the ground.

“Yeah sorry” She said, she saw Rex standing in the doorway. She moved past Cooper going inside as the rain picked up and came down heavier.

Inside was small and cosy, a window at the end of the room with a small hole through the glass. Cooper had lit the candles as he sat down on the mattress.

He picked up one of the bags taking out two Nuka colas. Ada slowly lowered herself down.

“Anything but the devilled eggs. I will puke at the smell” Ada warned “they taste lovely but the smell not so tasty” she said as Cooper chuckled taking out a sweetroll.

“What was your vault like?” Cooper asked taking a bite out of the roll.

“Huh?” Ada was surprised by the question

“Your vault what was it like? What was your experiment?” Ada looked over at Cooper “it seems they all had them”

“Uh my vault” Ada paused and thought for a second “Oh it wasn’t anything bad…no torture. Well until they went crazy” she chuckled “but no, It wasn’t never meant to be opened, we were never meant to come to the surface” Ada said taking a tub of potato chips “but they broke that protocol when they let my mother and father in, my mother had been in labour for awhile. Complications” Ada shrugged “My dad didn’t have the equipment for such a complicated surgery and labour. Thankfully they let them in. Otherwise we both could have died” Ada looked over at Cooper.

His eyes staring back at her a little broken.

“It stayed shut until my father left”

After all this time it still stung. The idea of them all being one happy family a dream that was never to be.

“So you’re technically a wastelander” Cooper suggested

“Yes in theory I am. But I got to have hot showers for the first eighteen years” she chuckled in a teasing manner

“Eh we called that privileged back in my day” Ada chuckled

“I guess it was Privileged. We were lucky though, got it for free. Well kinda. He became their doctor in exchange for our stay” Ada said taking some bites of the food “however, there was times I snooped in other vaults. And there’s a plant vault in Vegas” Ada paused to take a drink “they experimented with humans and plants. It’s truly terrifying. But those occupants paid the minute of one hundred thousand dollars, per person” Ada said finishing up the chips. She took several gulps of the nuka cola to wash it down.

“That’s the thing that pushed me over the edge” Cooper said looking over at Ada “the second she said ‘a good vault’ I knew something was wrong” Ada turned to face him

“So you knew? You knew they were going to experiment? Like animals? You represented them Cooper”

“I KNOW Ada” his voice raised slightly “trust me I regret it everyday. Trust me. Everyone was telling me Vault-Tec were bad. They weren’t to be trusted but I trusted my wife. Until I realised I couldnt trust her anymore. I bugged her pipboy. They had tester ones back then. I was able to hear her during a meeting. She admitted that they Vault-Tec would drop the bombs”

Ada looked at Cooper

“They also did Shady sands…” Cooper added

Ada had done many things in her time but murder on this mass was out of her league.

“What did you do?” Ada said softly

“Wasn’t much I could do. Vault-Tec owns everything Ada literally everything. I got blacklisted, no one in Hollywood would hire me. I never did a movie again. Nothing. I ended up becoming a stupid cowboy act for kids birthday parties. I divorced her. So I lost everything” Ada looked down saddened

“There was nothing you could have done Cooper. Hundreds of Vaults. Only a few of them were safe, but even the safe ones had issues. You couldn’t have done anything Cooper. It was inevitable” she looked over at him and showed him a kind and soft smile.

“I know. But I still feel bad. I had friends bug vaults Ada. I don’t know what vaults they got…eh they’ll be long gone by now”

“Unless they got frozen too” Ada added.

“Hey that’s enough of that bullshit for tonight” Cooper coughed laying down on the mattress “we need to sleep. I want a nice early start tomorrow hopefully” Ada watched him place his hat on his face hiding the light as she settled down herself.

Chapter Text

The sound of metal clanging woke Ada up. She groaned as she tossed over pulling the blankets over with her. Her toes curling up in the softness of the blanket.

“Darling you have to get up now. You’ll be late for your exams”

Ada’s eyes shot open. The tears burning in her eyes. She knew that voice anywhere. She ripped the covers off her head seeing her father sat at his table in the corner of the room.

She slowly rose to her feet, her steps slow as she walked close to him. Her head tilted slightly.

“Daddy” her voice broke. She held her breath trying to blink the tears away.

“Morning honey” said a woman’s voice from behind her. She jumped slightly. It was her mother. This wasn’t real. This was some kind of torture.

“MM-Morning” Ada stuttered

“My god you came in late, what was you and Amata up to?” The strange woman who looked like her mother asked.

“Uhh…what?” She watched the woman move and kiss her father right in front of her. She stepped back watching the two of them.

“I’ll be home after classes hon” she said before walking over to Ada “good luck on your exams sweetheart. You’re so smart you’ll do amazing things” she said placing a kiss on her forehead. It felt warm, like a cuddle.

She watched her leave the room before her father caught her attention.

“I have to say we are both truly proud of you Adelaide”

She was taken aback. It had been many many years since she heard anyone use her first name fully. Something she definitely left inside the vault. Most people just called her Ada. The only one to call her Adelaide was her father.

“Y-You’re proud of me?” she stuttered

“Yes darling. Now go quickly. You don’t wanna miss taking the GOAT” she smiled back at her father before wrapping her arms around him quickly

“I miss you daddy” she whimpered

“Oh honey. Are you feeling okay?” Her father asked rubbing the back of her head.

“Yeah. Just a bad dream” she said wiping her tears “but it’s okay now” she gave him a big smile “wish me luck daddy” she said turning around.

Suddenly there she was again, panic surrounding her. The alarms in the vault blaring as security guards came running at her. She grabbed her father’s pistol from under the table.

She took a few shots at the guard hitting him. Thank god her father and Jonas taught her to shoot.

She climbed over him jumping out into the hallway. Pistol in hand she headed for the overseer office. Every door she went past was under security protocol.

Luckily she’d done this all before.

She pushed the buttons and entered the overseers room. She moved over to the overseer terminal. She knew the password.

Obviously.

The alarms beeping around her as the table moved backwards. She dipped down the stairs, the coldness surrounding her. She hurried down the platform towards the vault door.

It towered above her as she moved over to the control panel taking out her pipboy. She connecting them both before slamming her hand into the red button.

The vault door opened as she jumped over the stone flooring onto a dirt wet ground. She saw a door up ahead. The vault door closing behind her.

All those fears from so long ago filled her stomach, she felt like a lonely scared girl all over again as she pushed the door to the wasteland open.

Finding herself in the control room at Project Purity, watching her father and Colonel Autumn fighting. The glass separating you both. Ada’s hands against the glass. Her father’s voice coming through the comms.

“Ada…my beautiful daughter” he looked at her “run, run as fast as you can” he pushed the button allowing the radiation into the compartment with him and Autumn.

“No!! Daddy!” She fell to her knees sobbing. She watched her father collapse and die right in front of her. His hand reaching out for her. Her hand pressed against the small glass playing.

“Daddy” she whimpered before heating voices. Dogmeat and Fawkes came running up to her. The sounds of heavy armor getting closer. She took out her pistol.

“Big. Tin. Monster. We. Must. Go” Fawkes said taking out his minigun. Ada rubbed Dogmeat on the head before running down the steps heading out the back door behind her. Both her companions following her. She pushed the door opened.

Finding herself in…Good Neighbour. She was sat in the Third Rail. She had a glass of….

She sniffed it

“Moonshine?” She questioned herself she shrugged drinking. The Sole survivor sat at the side of her.

“What do you think? Should I destroy the institute?” She looked at her.

“Uh well, it’s your son” Ada said taking the bottle of vodka from behind her shotting back a glass.

“Barely. I don’t even know this man. He’s everything me and Nate didn’t want him to be. We wanted someone who…” she stopped “I guess it doesn’t matter. He’s not my son. I didn’t raise him. I didn’t see his first steps, his first words” Ada watched anger fill her.

“Well well well” a familiar voice called out “if it ain’t my two special gals” her attention turned to Hancock

“Oh my god” Ada squealed jumping up wrapping her arms around him. “Been too long sailor” she winked at him.

“Mhm last time I remember us hanging out, you were jumping out of bed at crack of dawn late for a brotherhood project” he chuckled

“Thank god I had no doctors checks that day. I’m was running on radiation” Ada giggled pushing Hancock slightly.

“So what’s going on here ladies” Hancock asked arm draped around Ada’s neck and shoulder.

“I’m deciding if I should destroy the institute or not” the Sole Survivor said downing another drink.

“She torn. She’s helped so many people who have been hurt or affected by their bullshit but she’s just found out the guy running all the shots is her stolen baby” Ada gave Hancock some filler details.

“Yeah it’s all a little fucked” The Sole Survivor slammed her head into the bar in frustration

“Well this one is unfortunately on you. This fate one or thousands” Hancock said

“Plus he’s fuckin dying” Ada added “The big C” she whispered to Hancock. His eyes shot down to her giving her a wink. His hand moved down to her ass giving it a squeeze.

“Wait” Hancock froze “he’s dying?”

“Yes!!!” She responded to Hancock.

Ada moved over to the bar picking up the bottle of vodka just downing a few shots.

“Right I’m off to bed. I’m fucked” The Sole Survivor said getting up “ I’m sure I’ll figure something out”

“Hey I’ll catch up with you” Hancock called out “just gonna catch up with this stranger” Hancock said sitting on a stool beside Ada.

She could feel his eyes gliding over her up and down.

“So how’s my favourite smoothskin and howcomes she’s back in town without popping in” he chuckled taking out some Jet.

“Well, One I just got here” Ada chuckled “two I’m doing some work for the brotherhood again. But don’t worry, I’m back off to Vegas in a few days. C is out there and I fear he might really kill Benny this time” Ada chuckled looking over at Hancock.

“Nah you can’t go back. You just got here. It’s been years since I saw you” he said ordering a drink.

“I’ll think about it” She winked at him “anything new with you? Other than travelling with old Vaulty” she chuckled

“Nah nothin new. Seen some shit but that’s about it. Sad story she’s got though right? I take it you’ve exchanged heartache” he said taking another round of Jet.

“Of course! Frozen all this time. Husband dead. Son stolen. Honestly it’s pretty fucked up” Ada said softly.

“Ada” a husky voice called out to her as she turned around to see Cooper staring at her. His eyes darting between her and Hancock. “Who the fuck is this?” He growled

“Uh..this is Hancock. He’s a friend”

“A friend” they both say in a sync almost surprised by each others reactions. Cooper held up his gun pointing at Ada.

“I told you if I couldn’t have you no one could sweetheart” he said pulling the trigger.

BANG

“Wait. NO” Ada screamed waking up in the shack. Cooper startled awake he grabs his gun.
Ada’s hands shot up in the air still a little startled.

Chapter Text

“So I just randomly shot you in your dream?” Coopers southern twang echoed as Ada’s thoughts ran elsewhere.

She felt exhausted, like she barely slept. But it was like the past twenty years odd just caught up to her in one night.

She stared off into the distance as they walked, they’d been on the road for awhile now. Thanks to Ada waking up before sunrise. Cooper finally got his early start.

“Hello?” Cooper yanked on her jacket as she stopped on the spot “Ada?” He moved into the view of her eyeline “oh you are not ok. You’re pale as a ghost. Are you hungry? Tired? Thirsty?” He panicked slightly.

“I’m okay Cooper. Let’s keep going, we’re not far from the boarder” Ada said moving past him, Cooper grabbing her arm spinning her around to face him.

“No you’re not okay…” he said firmly “that dream of yours did something. You’ve been quiet all day, and that ain’t you sweetheart. Trust me” he chuckled

“I really don’t want to talk about it Coop-

“But you’ll let it run around your mind rent free for the day? If it’s cause I shot ya I’m sorry doll” She looked up at him with a ‘really?’ Kinda expression on her face.

“No Coop it’s not because you shot me”

“Then what the fuck is goin on darlin. Talk to me” His eyes pleaded with hers.

She sighed

“Fine. I dreamed of my father. Among other things…but it felt so real. It was fleeting. One minute I’m in the vault, my dad telling me he’s fucking proud of me. The next I’m escaping. Then I’m watching him die…and then bam I’m in fucking good neighbour” she chuckled “fucking good neighbour” a smile finally landed on her face.

“What the fuck is a good neighbour?” Coop asked

“My friend. Hancock. He’s a ghoul. Like you but not as old” she teased with a wink “but that was his town. Anyone who felt like an outcast was welcome, it was truly a great place” Ada said softly

“And this Hancock fella” Cooper piped up as Ada rolled her eyes.

‘Here we go’

“He was my first sexual interaction with a ghoul if that’s what you’re about to ask. It was on and off Cooper. Jeez we saw each other every six months to a year. He visits me in Vegas from time to time when the Sole survivor is wandering around” Cooper scoffed

“Boy if I see him”

She loved his jealously and possessiveness but the angst to get mad at something she did before meeting him was crazy.

“Are you forgetting you were married Coop?” He stopped dead in his step

“What’s your point?” He quizzed Ada

“Well you get all moody whenever it comes up that I’ve been with others…” he pointed his finger at her

“Exactly that right there. Others….” He said “I’ve had my ex and you”

“Pfft like fuck I believe that” Ada scoffed pushing past him “Cooper Howard. Americas sweetheart, Vault-Tecs poster boy. Hell no have you only screwed two women” Ada muttered to herself

“Well there may have been a few others here and there. Two hundred years is a long ass time” she turned around pointing at him like he did to her.

“Checkmate” She poked his chest before continuing to walk. The hot sun burned down on her skin toasting it. She could really use a radstorm about now with her tires she was.

“So what now you’re mad I’ve screwed other women?” Ada rolled her eyes continuing to walk

“No! I’m just making a point. The wasteland gets lonely. Fuck if it helps I’ve slept with women too. I tested the water, it wasn’t my thing, then I tested ghouls and i liked the freakiness” Ada admitted honestly.

She heard Cooper running up behind her to catch up. Rex already a good boy by her side.

“Uhh what?” Ada let out a huff

“Ghouls? With an s. That means more than one” Ada stopped dead in her tracks.

“Oh my god Cooper you’re gonna send me mad. What the fuck are you chatting…yes there was more than one. Would you like their contact details? Fuck! There were four all together ok? Two are dead. You and Hancock are still alive. Get over it” Ada continued walking.

“So if this Hancock came back would you-

“I’m gonna stop you right there my darling husband” Ada said softly “one, we’re married so no I wouldn’t. Two I’m pregnant. So no I wouldn’t. Happy?”

Cooper was driving Ada wild today and not the good kind. Ada found a shack up ahead, they had taken a different route back to Vegas this time due to the flooding.

She peaked inside seeing a double mattress, outside an old fire. Been stale awhile. They would definitely need fresh and dry wood.
Cooper came up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist. His lips nuzzling the side of her neck.

“I’m sorry sweetheart. Just…the idea of someone else enjoying you. Fuck! It makes me wanna rip their head off” he turned her around kissing her on the lips “also we ain’t stopping here sugar. We keep going. Goodsprings isn’t too far now. It’ll be a better night sleep. You need that” he said continuing to walk.

After another hour of walking, the sun was getting real low. Ada’s legs began to wobble. She was truly exhausted. But happy to make it over Vegas lines. She could see the lights of her home lighting up the sky.

Truly the only thing that kept her going was seeing the lights of the strip.
A faintly lit Goodsprings welcomed them as they got to the top of the hill.

Ada turned around looking back behind, California hung in the distance. The tall buildings seemed so small from this distance. She didn’t belong there though.

Ada turned catching up with Cooper breaking her thought away from California. She ran up to him grabbing his arm.

“Right” Ada stopped “you don’t mention this pregnancy to no one! Not even Sunny” Ada warned “We do not need anyone knowing this. I’m a walking, talking science experiment Coop”

Cooper nodded in agreement either her.

“Enclave and Brotherhood scientists would love you on the table. To be fair so would i”
Cooper chuckled as he scooped Ada up into his arms.

“You’re freezing. How long have you been cold?” Cooper said placing her down on the ground again. He took off his long coat and wrapped it around her before she could even get a word out.

“Cooper it doesn’t matter we’re here now” Ada said placing a hand on his cheek. She slid her fingers between his walking past the gas station.
“See the doc lives there” she pointed to her right as they continued past heading for the saloon.

Ada stepped in front of Cooper, a big smile appearing on her face.

“I’m almost home” she smiled as Cooper came up beside her

“Almost darlin’” he said as they made there way to the saloon. It was dead inside. No Trudy. Ada stopped. The silence filled the room as Ada moved through the rooms. Bedrooms empty.

Ada whipped up her pipboy

9:40pm

“No this isn’t right” Ada said softly “Trudy…anyone. They should all be here at this hour” Ada pushed the back doors open to find the prospector dead on the floor.

Her hand covering her mouth. They’d been attacked. Who would do this on her turf. She bent down touching his skin. He was freezing.
He’d been dead awhile.

In his hand a scrunched up bit of paper. She softly took it from his hand. Unfolding it she found her face printed.

‘Person WANTED -
Aliases - Vault Dweller/Lone Wanderer/Paladin Ada - Brotherhood Of Steel.

Work/Known/Safe House Locations - NCR - New Vegas - Goodsprings - Primm - Massachusetts - Diamond City - GoodNeighbour - Washington - Vault 101 - Rivet City - Megaton - Other locations

IF YOU SEE THIS PERSON SHE IS WANTED BY THE ENCLAVE FOR SEVERAL COUNTS OF TREASON AND MURDER.

REWARD - TWENTY THOUSAND CAPS.

Ada slowly rose to her feet. It seems her past was catching up to her. On the back of the paper it had names.

Adelaide if you find this know we have several of your “friends” We will kill them if you don’t come.

Cooper pushed the door open coming out behind her. His hand on her lower back.

“You’re a bounty hunter right?” Ada voice was soft and broken

“Yea?” She handed him the paper and pressed it against his chest.

“I’m an official wanted citizen. Took them long enough” She looked around. It was too quiet.

“Who else have they got?” Cooper asked. Ada responded with a shrug.

“Probably everyone I’ve ever cared about” Ada said looking up at Cooper. “They’ve got most of my known locations. Last sightings. I’ve made a lot of friends over the years Cooper and a lot of enemies, But the Enclave will torture the truth outta you. They’re the worst. They never stop. I thought I wiped them out but their like radroaches they keep on surviving”

Ada continued looking around. She found guns dropped. It was obvious there had been a shoot out of some kind.

“Stay back” she heard a familiar voice, a dog barking as her ears perked up. She knew that voice.

“Nora?” Ada voice was soft as the dog ran out pushing Ada to the ground licking her all over.

“Ada?” The voice returned, a head popped up from behind a wall to Ada’s left. The dog licked Ada manically.

“Well hello boy” she chuckled seeing the red bandana.

“everyone put your goddamn hands up” Cooper said taking out his guns. His eyes glaring at Nora and then me on the floor “what is gods name is this?” Ada chuckled as Cooper helped her up on feet.

Nora made slow movements towards Ada.

“Who the fuck is this?” Cooper asked, his southern twang doing its thing again.

“Oh shit. This is Nora, I met her when I visited Massachusetts. She’s the Sole Survivor” Ada said with a big smile “she’s me but a little younger”

“Eh technically I’m older” Nora chuckled

“Oh jeez you two are prewar” Ada said looked at the both “Nora this is Cooper Howard, American sweetheart” Ada teased

“My husband loved your movies” Nora said with a soft smile “he actually served along side you” She had her arms crossed

“He’s my husband” Ada added showing a smile over at Cooper

“Ah i knew you’d always end up with a ghoul” she chuckled

“What the hell are you doing out here?” Ada asked her “you’re far away from Diamond City” Ada’s eyes fell over her.

“I came here to warn you. But i didn’t get here in time. They had already taken so many people” Nora explained “they have Hancock. They’ll kill him Ada you know they hate anything that isn’t human” Nora’s voice was almost begging. She could hear the worry in her voice.

“Wait is this the same dude you were talkin about earlier?” Cooper questioned. Ada nodded

“We have to find them” Ada said softly “they’ll kill them all”

“And how do we find them? There’s no information here” Cooper said as Ada and Nora looked at each other “oh hell no to whatever you’re thinking” he added

“It’s the only way” Ada said looking at Cooper

“It’s not. What if shit goes south? You have more to worry about. This isn’t just you now Ada”

Nora looked at Ada

“What does he mean by that Ada?” Nora voices was concerned

“She’s pregnant that’s what I mean by that. She can’t be captured” Ada’s eyes closed

“You’re pregnant? How?” Nora asked

“It’s complicated, Send the bloody signal Nora” she said sitting down in the chair beside her

“Are you sure?” Nora asked

“No! Fuck no! Ada come on. You’re tired. You can’t do this. Over my dead body”

Ada placed her hands on Coopers cheeks. Both their eyes meeting each others. She could feel his fear, his anger. He trembled beneath her.

“I use to do this solo. Think how easy it’ll be with two experienced shooters?” Ada said trying to make sense to him “I need to save my friends Cooper. Some of them aren’t…they’ll kill them”

Nora stood behind Cooper, she fiddled with something on her pipboy. Ada saw she had connected to her pipboy.

“Gotta prove I have your ass don’t I?” She had a concerned look on her face.

“Can’t we do this in the morning. It’s dark”

“It’s okay. We can stay here. They’ll come to us” Nora said looking at Cooper. “We just have to stay back and follow them once they have her. I’ll hand her over. Take the caps of course…because fuck the enclave” Nora muttered

“Fuck the enclave” Ada agreed

“What exactly do they want you for? What did you do?” Cooper asked. The concern in his voice echoed throughout the desert wind.

“She gave us all clean purified water…she is project purity” Nora said looking at Cooper “she took her father’s project and made it country wide. I guess they want it back or maybe revenge for her wiping out thousands of men and their home base” Nora chuckled “such a badass”

“Eh I use to be so good” Ada said softly

Chapter Text

No sun today. They could hear the rain hitting against the metal roof above their heads. They had left Goodsprings and moved a few miles out.

The rain poured down as the Sole survivor and Cooper stood in front of Ada. They looked at each other. They had all spent the night coming up with some sort of plan to sort this shit out.

A lot of arguing but they had finally come down to an agreement. Cooper was mostly the problem. He just didn’t want Ada doing any of this. If he had his way, he’d be taking her back to Vegas and hiding her somewhere.

Ada finished her bottle of water as Nora stepped forward taking a gun out of her bag. She filled it with a small blue pip. It looked similar to a pill. She tilted Ada’s neck a little to the side.

“Wait what’s that” Cooper said peering over watching Nora

“Tracking device. It’ll be deep under the skin so we can track her. I doubt they’ll take her far but incase they do. We need to know where. They’ll be faster than us” Nora said injecting the small pill sized demon into Ada’s neck.

Ada winced slightly. It hurt for a minute. She rubbed her hand over the location where she put it. She could feel the lump under skin. Nora moved back fiddling with her pipboy as she connected to the device.

“Eh I know a girl who did this with a human head” Cooper added as they both looked at him “didn’t end well” He said breaking the silence between everyone.

“A head?” Nora asked

“Yeah she was like you two, a Vaulty” he added

“Ah Lucy…” Ada nodded pointing at Cooper “gotcha”

“A vault dweller carried a human head around with a tracker in it? What’s the deal with that?” Nora questioned Cooper.

“Yeah. A doctor was escaping the Enclave. He had the key to infinite power. That’s why we always have power these days” Cooper added “no power drops hopefully. A lady named Moldaver, I knew her before the war, she created it before the war but Vault-Tec bought it” He paused “she wanted to bring Vault-Tec down but they were too powerful”

“Fuckin Vault-Tec” Nora muttered under her breath “he’s right though. I remember they owned everything. Couldn’t go anywhere without seeing them advertising vaults or their team up companies like Robco etc. When my husband came from war. They gave us a Mr Handy robot to help me out, because I was pregnant” Nora scoffed “Like I needed help to do the dishes”

“Eh I knew the guy who voiced those. Well, he sold his voice rights to them” Cooper said

“Vault-Tec are fucking monsters” Nora looked at Cooper “what did they do to you?”

“Uh…” he shifted slightly “my wife worked for them. It’s complicated” Cooper said getting uncomfortable

“They froze us. Defrosted us, stole my baby. Killed my husband and froze me for another sixty odd years. My son was old and dying by the time I found him” She placed her hand on his arm “Your wife did she decide the fates of the vaults?”

Ada looked at Nora. Things were getting a little tense.

“Nora. He’s a victim too. His wife and daughter got frozen. His daughter got out a long time ago. She’s not here anymore when he tried to stand up to Vault-Tec and lost everything doing so” Ada said showing a soft smile at Cooper. She knew he wasn’t great at putting his feelings into words without feeling cornered.

“Oh my … I’m sorry Cooper. I just see Vault-Tec and see red” Nora responded

“Amen to that” Cooper said raising his glass.

“I’m just going to check outside. Best you two say goodbye just in case” Nora said as she left the room.

Cooper watched as Nora left the room, moving close to Ada, his hands on her cheeks. She looked up at him showing him a slight smile. She was worried.

What they were doing was risky, using Ada as bait to find their location. It held many risks, risks that her friends might not even be there. They could be somewhere else. Or even dead already.

She debated it what she was doing was even the right thing to do at this point. Cooper could see her distance, one of his hands moved down to her stomach.

“Please be careful” his husky voice was soft and smoothly spoken “you got my baby in there cooking” his soft southern tone made her weak at the knees.

“Make sure you come and get me” Ada said looking at him “please Cooper. Come and get me” her voice was almost begging him.

“I love you. I can’t believe you’re doing this” Coopers head fell on her shoulder as he brought her in for a cuddle. His arms wrapping around her tightly. Ada placed her hands on his back. His lips nuzzled against her skin on her neck.

“There was no point spending all this time helping people just to sit here and allow them to die” Ada said softly “I’m a good person Cooper” Ada let out a soft moan as Cooper bit down on her collar bone.

“I know you are. It’s one of the reasons I love you” he said with a warming smile, his voice was raspy. With a cheeky smile his lips crushing into hers. She stumbled back as he pushed her against the wall behind her. Growls escaping his lips as he kissed her roughly.

This time it felt different. He was taking everything he could, as if it was the last time he would ever see her again. Her nails dragged over his skin as she took in his taste. His tongue fighting hers as his fingers gripped her hair.

The shack started rumbling heavily. As they looked at each other panicked. Ada’s smile faded hearing the rumbling. Cooper pulled back looking at the ceiling hearing the rumbling.

Nora burst in the door

“They’re here” She said interrupting them “you’ll have to stay here and hide Cooper. They’ll kill you on sight” Nora warned as Ada stepped back. Her hands holding Coopers. She could see the tears in his eyes.

“Won’t they kill her? She’s pretty much ghoulish too” he said worried

“No. They want her to be punished for her crimes. They won’t just put her out of her misery. They’ll probably torture her first” Nora explained moving towards Ada. Cooper stepped back from Ada letting Nora in.

“I’m the Lone Wanderer. And I’m your bounty. So come claim your bounty” she said with a flirtatious tone.

A teary chuckle escaping Coopers lips as he watches Nora tie Ada’s hands behind her back. A small bit of material around her mouth so she couldn’t talk.

Cooper hated seeing her in such a way.

“I love you” she shouted through the muffled gag

“I love you too sweetheart” Cooper called out.

Nora helped Ada move outside, the rain slowing as Nora led her away from the building. The wind picking up the dirt from the ground blowing it around.

Ada looked in the sky. They had somehow got their hands on vertibirds. They must have twisted a brotherhood of steel site. Nora moved in front of Ada.

“I’m sorry” Nora said as Ada nodded. Her eyes watching Nora’s head, head butting Ada, blood trickled down from Ada’s nose.

Ada was taken aback a little. She knew it was coming but still it hurt. She had to look battered. Like Nora had a fight on her hands.

“It’s not broken don’t worry” Nora said checking Ada over. Ada’s eyes moved to the right seeing four armed soldiers walking towards them. Panic started to fill Ada.

Was she doing the right thing?

Nora helped Ada move towards the group of men. They all had their power armor on except one man at the back. She pushed her down onto her knees playing the part.

“The Lone Wanderer - as requested” Nora said looking over to them. Ada started to worry. She watched one man step forward. He tugged on a rope behind him as a hooded figure was yanked forward in front of them.

They ripped the cover off revealing her father. Ada’s eyes widened looking at him. Tears rolled over her cheeks. What kind of nightmare was this. He was dead. She watched him die, but it looked just like him. She looked up at the man seeing Colonel Autumn. She noticed a small sheet of metal in the side of his head. He’s a fucking synth. They brought him back. Her father in front of her must also be a synth.

If they had brought her father back and picked his brain, how much did they know. How much damage could they possibly do. Ada watched and looked at the man who looked like her father. His brown hair, his beard. He wore a green jumper and brown pants. Somehow they nailed his style too.

No. That was what he wore the day he died.

“My beautiful daughter” His voice sounded just like it use to. Her heart shattered hearing him. Her vision slightly blurry from the tears.

Ada began panicking as she wriggled her hands tied behind her back. Her muffled screams through the gag.

“You made this too easy Ada” Autumn laughed pointing a gun at her father’s head. Her screams unheard as she shook her head.

“Wait this isn’t necessary” Nora said as one of the guards shot her in the shoulder. Ada watched her step back a bit. She looked at her covering her shoulder. She would be ok. Just a flesh wound. Ada turned her attention back to her father.

“Im so proud of you Ade-

His voice cut off, her face lit up with the flash of the gun. Her head dropped watching his body fall to the ground. She watched some sort of silver ooze come from his head. Her eyes wide as her whole life ended right in front of her like it did all those years ago.

She stared at his body for what seemed like forever. Autumn kicked her father’s body out of the way, looking down at Ada with an evil smile.

Anger fuelled Ada right now. She wriggled her hands and managed to get her hands free. Everything happened so quickly as she reached up as anger filled her taking Nora’s gun from her back sling. She reached up aiming at Autumn.

She looked down at her father’s dead body one last time. Pulling the trigger she shot him. Two men rushed her grabbing her arms. They held her as she watched Autumn wriggle, the ooze pouring from him just like her father.

“You should have stayed dead” she spat at his lifeless body. The guards looking at her, the last thing saw was the gun coming at her face. A crazy laugh escaping her lips.

“Oh this will be fun…” were her last words.

Chapter Text

The brightness hit Ada as she came around. Her hair clinging to the dried blood on the side of her face. She lifted her head slightly as it spun around. She didn't feel good.

Vomit projecting across the room.

She felt like shit. Morning sickness or concussion. Who could tell. The brightness made her squint her eyes. She brought her head up again finding herself in a bright room. She was tied to an upstanding type bed. Belts around her waist, wrists and ankles. They kept her in place. Her clothes taken, she wore a bra and panties. Her full body on display.

She'd been in a room similar to this at Raven Rock. She groaned slightly trying to glance around. On her left were several tv screens. Each screen focused on a different person.

Each person...She knew. So many faces. They must've just been collecting people as they searched for her. It was twisted. They must've just been collecting people as they searched for her. It was twisted. People from all over, people she had helped over the years.

Her head hung as it thumped, she was thirsty too. She hoped they hadn't done any tests on her. She didn't need them knowing she was pregnant. She was surprised she had lived this long, being the ghoul she was becoming. They clearly needed information of some kind. A loud metallic squeak echoed around the room as the door open. Ada's head popped up as a tall woman walked in the room. She wore a bright red dress and matching heels. Her dark black hair perfectly styled. Her crimson red lips smiling as she approached Ada.

"I've heard so much about you" Her voice was soft spoken. Ada didn't respond, she just watched her as she pulled a chair from the corner. The metal legs of the chair making a god awful noise as she dragged it towards Ada.

"Ah the silent type. You know my ex husband. Cooper. I'm Barbara" She smiled sitting down in the chair crossing her legs. Ada gulped.

Oh fuck

Oh fuck

"Ada, this will work a lot better if we talk. You give me what I want and I'll let you and your friends go"

"I don't know anything" Ada said, her voice hoarse and dry. Barbara stood up moving to the corner of the room pouring out a glass of water. She moved slowly back to Ada, holding the glass up to Ada's lips. She helped her to drink some of the water.

It tasted so good.

"Now, are you willing to talk?" She asked Ada, Ada's eyes glanced over to the screen. She didn't know how long shed been here. Barbara took out this small remote looking thing, pressing a button Ada fell to the ground as the straps released her. Her hands hitting the cold floor, she tried to protect her stomach from hitting the ground.

Ada stayed there. for a few moments just gathering her bearings, Her wrists red raw from the straps, blood and indents in her skin. She leaned up rubbing them, before Barbara got her attention.

"What information do you want?" Ada said quietly, her throat still a little raspy.

"Honestly its really simple. We need the code to your fathers project. We tried bringing him back via the synthetic route but apparently he didn't wish to hand it over" She said looking down at Ada on her knees.

Ada did know the code, of course. She had managed to set up project purity all over the wasteland providing clean water for everyone. However handing it over to the Enclave was the one thing she had managed NOT to do over. her time in the wasteland, to the point of blowing up their main headquarters.

"You already have clean water. Why do you need it?" She asked, her glowing eyes staring at Barbara.

"Ah now that would be telling" Barbara replied with a sassy smirk on her red lips.

"Then I'm not telling you it" Ada snapped back.

"Oh feisty. I'd been told you were a little feisty and sassy. Cooper wouldn't have had such. an interest in you otherwise" Her tone was spiteful "After all who would want involvement with a ghoul like yourself?" She chuckled slightly

"Oh he's had a lot of interest in me Darlin" Ada chuckled.

"I really didn't want to have to do this" Barbara's face turned cold as she clicked her fingers. Two men walked into the room, they wore completely leather outfits with masks to hide their faces. They moved standing beside Barbara.

One of them stepped forward grabbing Ada by the throat, they lifted her up so her feet. Her hands wrapped around the guards as her nails scratched at the leather. His grip tightening as she gasped for air. He legs kicking around, she gasps becoming shorter as his grip made it impossible to breathe.

Barbara clicked her fingers. With a simple command he dropped her to ground. She gasped and gagged trying to breathe again. Each breath she managed to breathe in felt like gold dust. A rare a special gift.

"Willing to talk now?" Barbara chuckled

"You think I've never been tortured before?" Ada burst into hysterics "I've been on the brink of death so many times Missy. You have no idea who the fuck I am or who the hell you're fucking with. I'm the Lone fuckin' Wanderer. Fought more fights than your cheap ass. You hid away in a freezer, I fought for freedom. You pushed a button, I got my hands dirty. I fought the abominations you created. I saved people, created safe zones for people to live lives to the fullest in the shitty world you created. You fucking Coward! I don't break easily "Ada held her throat as she spat her angry words at Barbara.

She clicked her fingers as the other guard stepped forward holding a long baton. Sparks released from it was it touched her skin. Shocks running through her body, the smell of burning filled the air as Ada fell limp on the ground. Her body shuddering from the shocks . Her face laid against the cold floor as the shocks rippled through her body. Her vision blurred as she stared at Barbara.

"I can see why Coop likes you. You're a fighter. A survivor. He likes his strong women. Until they become too strong. Then he tries to tear them down" She said watching. Ada's body toss and ripple from the fading shocks. She leaned over vomiting on the ground.

"Going talk now?" She showed a snaky smile at Ada.

Ada couldn't wait to rip her apart.

"Well we could kill one of your friends, If you'd prefer" She pointed to the screens. The blue glow lit Ada's face as she watched a man walk into each cell. Her eyes widening with fear. They all took out their guns loading them. Waiting on her word.

"Wait! I'll tell you"Ada screamed at her "Its...its 21..." She paused "217"she lied hoping it would give her more time. more time for her. More time for Nora and Cooper. The code was 216. After Revelations 21:6 in the bible. It was her mothers favourite passage.

"We're creating a bomb. A special kind this time. We will make sure the contents of the wasteland is dead" Barbara said standing up "Your father would be extremely disappointed in you" She said standing up walking towards the door "I'll leave one guard with you. Keep an eye on your buddies" Barbara smirked as she left the room with the other guard.

This was Ada's time.

One on one combat.

Perfect.

Her eyes shot up to the guard as she gave him the once over. She was looking for any weakness but it looked like slim pickings. The only part of him that was skin was his neck. Ada brought herself to her feet as his robotic voice warned her.

"Sit back down"

"Make me" Ada taunted. The man moved closer to her, Ada had one thing though. Turning ghoulish had its cons but on a good day those cons were pros. She always resisted her anger, held it back if she could. Her ghoulish anger. She had been here awhile, and she could tell she hadn't had any drugs to slow her ghoulish side.

He walked towards her as she unleashed a snarl.

"The fuck is wrong with you" The guard stepped back as Ada laughed herself at him. Her teeth ripping into the skin on the side of his neck. Her teeth tearing at flesh, his blood squirted over her face as his fists punched into her sides, her hand, anywhere they could find. It didn't matter, rage mode was on. She kept ripping and chewing until the guards body fell limp.

She leaned up, blood covering her face, teeth, it dripped down over her chest and stomach. She looked like she'd stepped out of a bath tub filled with blood. Her hands ran over the guard as she took his clothing off in hurry. she put his coat on and pants living him in just boxers. She took his pistol and keys from his belt.

"Think you can shock me and get away with it...prick" She kicked his lifeless body before taking his mask. Her head popped up hearing the alarms going off.

'Explosion in sector four'

'Explosion in sector four'

Chapter Text

A smile creeped across her face as she heard the warning over the speakers. She bent down and took the keycard from the dead body of the guard. She opened her cell door, seeing Enclave soldiers running past her. No a care given.

She took off down the other way following the signs to prison cells. They were all kept in the same area. She needed to release her friends and then go destroy their Project Purity. She couldn't allow them to make her fathers gift a weapon.

The building rumbled as another explosion went off, as she was pushed into the wall. Her head hitting off the wall, it hurt but she shook it off carrying on down the hall until she came across a few cells. The hallway empty as she opened the first cell.

Her eyes falling to see Sunny and Trudy and Doc Mitchell. They scrambled into the corner, fear in their eyes as they held each other. They didn't look too hurt. She ran over to them, taking out her keys as she unchained them. They looked confused at her. She realised she was still masked. She laughed a little sounding robotic as she took off the mask. Her terrifying bloodied face smiling at them.

"Ada?" Sunny said sounding surprised.

"Hey honey. Don't worry I'll get you all out of here" Ada said unchaining them

"Why are you covered in blood? Is it yours?" Doc Mitchell asked.

Ada shook her head.

"Some of it, but this fresh stuff is one of the guards. Best not to ask too many questions" Ada added.

"You should let me check you over" He insisted

"We don't have time Doc. Maybe after. I still have more people to find. I need you all to wait here. They're not going to come in. They're a little distracted right now" Ada smiled as she stood up. She handed her pistol to Sunny "Don't miss" she said as she left the room heading to the next one.

Moving down the hall she came across a rack full of guns, swords, grenades. A smile climbing over her face as she took. shotgun sliding It onto her belt. Followed by a pistol and small combat knife. Anything was better than ripping out peoples jugulars.

More guards ran up the hall as Ada dipped into a dark gap. The sounds. of gunshots and. explosions filled the air. This war more than just Cooper and Nora. Ada watched as the guards disappeared down the hall. She peered out making sure the coast was clear. She continued into the next cell. Her eyes falling upon C. She came to a halt. He had been hurt a lot. He was asleep in the corner of the room as she rushed over to him. He was covered in bruises and blood.

"C..." Ada's voice was soft as she shook him. His eyes fluttering open to what seemed like a dream. His eyes meeting hers. Her smile beaming down at him. She must have looked terrifying to wake up to.

"Ada?" His voice was confused and dry

"I leave you alone for a few weeks and you get yourself locked up by the goddamn Enclave' She chuckled undoing his chains.

'Why are you here? I didn't tell them anything I promise" She placed her bloodied hand on his cheek.

"I know you didn't" She replied softly 'I handed myself in, the second I knew they had you guys here. I can't live without my friends C" Ada said handing him a gun "look I have a few more people to find and save. Keep safe"

Ada stood up, C following her.

"I'm not letting you go alone..." He said loading up the gun in front of her. A smile ran over her lips. Just like the old days. She opened the door peaking out before moving down the hall, pistol in hand. A guard turning the corner seeing her and C.

She lifted her gun, shooting him. The rounded popping off. She watched the body drop to the floor. They ran down the hall coming up to another bunch of cells as another explosion went off behind them. It was close. Their faces lit up with the light from it.

"I'll go see what's going on" C said leaving Ada to continue her search. She pushed her way into another cell. Her eyes falling onto Hancock. The ghoul everyone loved.

"Well look at you chick. You've never looked so good" He showed her a smile as she placed her hands on her hips. Of course he would hit on her immediately. She moved over to him fiddling with the keys.

"Did they hurt you?" Ada asked as she unchained him

"No Darlin I'm fine. You on the other hand look like you've had better days. I hope this isn't your blood?" She shook her head

"Ripped some guys throat out" She replied helping Hancock to his feet "They tried torturing me. Failed"

Hancock chuckled.

"Of course. You're a tough ol bird" he said as she handed him. a gun "No drugs" He asked, his brown eyes staring into hers "You're turning..." He said in a worried tone.

"I'm okay...been like this awhile now" Ada said trying her best to reassure him "I manage to keep on top of it"

Hancock looked at Ada, you could see the fear and concern in his eyes.

"Honestly I'm really okay...look, we don't have time. C is out there, I've saved a few. I don't think there's many more I have to try and find" Ada said moving over to the door. "If anyone comes in. Kill them" She said with a firm tone as she looked at Hancock. She gave a little wink before disappearing out the door.

———————

After a while Ada had managed to find everyone and grouped them all together in the medical sector. She had supplied them all with weapons, whether it was a gun or knife they all had something to protect themselves with. Hancock had jetted himself up. Doc Mitchell was adamant on checking Ada over. He gave her the once over quickly, his pressed down on her stomach before looking over at her.

She brought her finger up to her lips hushing him, a small shake of the head. He didn't say anything thankfully. He did however give her a stimpak to help her with some of the wounds she already had. Cooper would be furious if he saw the state she was in.

C pushed through the doors as Ada leaned up from the bed.

"The Brotherhood of Steel are here" C said looking at her. a smile creeping across Ada's face. Nora had called them in. Thankfully Ada was also very friendly with them. It had been a few years since she saw them.

Ada jumped down off the table as she made sure her guns were loaded.

"Are we ready guys?" She said moving between everyone, Ada looked at everyone most of them looked terrified but it was the only way. She pulled the doors open moving out into the hallway. Fawkes laughed as he found a mini gun from on of the racks.

"BIG GUN" He said chuckling. His laugh always made her smile. She turned looking over to C. He could tell by how she was looking at him that she wasn't going with them. She pulled him to the side.

"You have to lead them out" She said looking up at him "I have to go stop them C. They have my fathers stuff. They wan to kill everyone again. They'll keep going I have to do something" She looked back at everyone else.

"You can't do it alone" He said trying to convince her.

"I can and I have to. I know the code. Its my fathers work. No one knows it better then me" She pulled away from him "Get them out" She said moving down the hall. They all called after her as she pushed through some double doors.

As usual, Enclave foundations were always a maze. Always getting lost. She came across a map on the wall showing the different sectors. Her fingers glided over the different sectors and floors. Her eyes fell upon a chilling site.

'EDEN'

That's where she needed to go. It’s as if this was a second Raven Rock. The building shook as another explosion went off. She made her way through the maze of hallways. Wrong turns, right turns. Guards ran by her not even noticing her. Not a single one. They went so far to find her and bring her in and not a single one noticed she wasn't locked up anymore. Rubble fell in front of her, lights sparking above her as part of the roof crumbled showing daylight outside.

She took a hard left turn running into a guard. His grips tightening on her as his eyes widened noticing her. She brought her head back before slamming it into his forehead. He stumbled back letting her go. Blood trickled down her forehead from the impact of the hit. She took out her pistol shooting him four times. His body dropped to the ground as she climbed over him and ran up some stairs coming to a big locked door.

She took out the keycard as the door opened before she could scan it. Standing still and in shock she peaked inside.

“Hello again little Vault Dweller. Look how far you’ve come”

Ada stepped inside the room hearing Eden talking

“Didn’t I destroy you?” She asked looking around the room seeing screens and computer terminals.
Her pipboy on the desk beside Eden. She moved over picking it up strapping it to herself.

“You can never destroy me. They’ll just rebuild me”

Her eyes fell upon some tubes behind Eden. She moved behind the computer slow. Confusion and anger. The tubes had dead people and creatures inside.

Supermutants

Ghouls

A Deathclaw

Her…father

She moved towards the tune placing her hand on the glass. His lifeless body floating in the green mixture inside the tube. His eyes closed. He looked perfectly preserved. After so many years he looked like he did the day he died.

They couldn’t keep doing this.

“Why are you using Synths?” Ada said infuriated

“It’s easier to bring people back. Easier to advance our studies. We were hoping bringing your father back, could help us again but just like his human form. He was useless to us. August had the idea to use him as emotional connection towards you” Eden replied.

Ada couldn’t go through all this again. She had already suffered enough. She turned around moving to the computer below Eden. Before hacking it she looked up at Eden.

“Where is Barbara Howard?” Her voice was soft

“Barbara has left the building with her team. They have moved to a safe location” Ada nodded

“Of course she has” Ada mumbled “Can you tell me this location?”

“This information has not been disclosed to me” The computer responded. Ada shook her head “then you’re no use to me” she bent down scrolling through the different lines of code in the computer.

“Are you sure you want to go through with this? We can help each other” Ada ignored him “I can bring back your father” She stopped in her steps, her fingers frozen over the self destruct button.

“No. He’s dead” she said firmly feeling tears in her eyes.

“But I have the equipment to bring him back. Not as a synth but as a human. Wouldn’t you like to see him again”

It broke her heart. She would do anything for that but she knew it couldn’t be. How could it. He had been dead for many years now. She was ghoulish. Would she want him to see her like this.

“He’s dead”

“I have the requirements to make his heartbeat again”

A noise came from behind Eden as her fathers tube drained. His lifeless corpse collapsing onto the floor on the tube.

“Please. Stop” she pleaded “it wouldn’t be him”

His greyish skin, he looked old, rotten.

“Let me bring him back in exchange for the code”

She froze.

Then what was the point?

Why bring him back if all they were going to do was bomb everything with his project. She would bring him back just to watch the downfall of his project.

Her finger dropped to the enter button.

Eden screamed robotically as it entered self destruct mode.

‘Eden will self destruct in ten minutes’

The speaker announced over the speaker. Ada walked over to her father’s corpse. She fell to her knees as the glass panel opened. Her hand reached out to touch his.

He was stone cold. His skin hard. There was no bringing him back to life.

“I hope you’re proud of me daddy” she said in tears holding his cold hand “i have to leave you again. I’m sorry. I want you know, your going to be a granddaddy” tears marked clear ish pathways through the blood on her face. “I couldn’t let them use your project to destroy everything again” she bent down and placed a kiss on his forehead “goodbye daddy” she whispered pressing her forehead to his.

‘Eight minutes till self destruct’

Ada let go of her father and ran towards an exit door. She pushed her way through it as explosions rattled the building. Rubble falling as she made her way towards an emergency exit, which led to an evacuation tunnel. As she made her way through the tunnel she began to wonder if she made the right choice. Could they have brought her father back. Would he have been the same. The different endings to this scenario ran wrecks around her mind as she came to a door.

10
9
8
7
6
5
4

She pushed the door open

3
2
1

Her body forced out of the evacuation tunnel, thrown into the dirt at force. She flipped over onto her back watching the building crumble and explode. She scrambled to her feet running, trying to get away to a safer distance. Rubble and metal falling around her as she ran. A massive plume of smoke and dirt rose into the air as another huge explosion went off. Vertibirds flew around the building, circling it. Miniguns unloading their rounds at the crumbling pile of dirt.

Ada fell to the ground weakly and tired. Her body aching as she could finally rest. She watched as the chaos unfolded before her, another destruction at her hand. A repeat of her past. This time no dogmeat or Fawkes to welcome her. No Cooper. No one. She fell back onto her back staring up at the sky above her. The stars sparkling and twinkling. An orange hue covered the sky, sparks of flames floating around. Her breathing heavy.

Chapter Text

Ada was sat in a Brotherhood of Steel medical tent, she had a few tests but thankfully nothing but a few cuts and bruising. Blood still all over her, a hot shower was deserved. The baby was fine, that was the biggest worry. She had been thrown and tossed around like a chew toy. She jumped down off the bed they had her sat on. She needed to know if everyone got out. She didn't do all that for them not too.

There had been no war on Barbara, for now she had got away and that would be a problem. Ada knew it. Ada hobbled out of the tent, many parts of her bandaged up. The little vault boy on her pip boy resembled a good image of what she looked like. She came out to a clearing, the sun just beginning to rise. She stood there and watched as the orange colouring broke the sky, pinks so vibrant. A few clouds dotted around.

"Paladin Ada" A voice she recognised said behind her. She turned on the spot to see Elder Maxson. He'd grown so much since they first met. He was beginning to age now. Grey hairs beginning to show. The last time she saw him was years ago when she was helping Nora find her child.

"Hello Sir" She gave him a half salut. Her bones aching.

"You did well here Paladin" He said formally "I believe all of your...friends got out" He said friends with a harsh twang. She knew he never approved but she didn't care. Its why she was only ever part time or occasional now. "Next time, don't go into somewhere like this alone" His voice was stern.

"Yes sir" She showed a small smile as he saluted her and left. Her eyes watching him leave. He had never been a man of words. She remembered when he was a small squire boy. He was more innocent back then. She turned back around seeing Vegas closer than before. It was a different angle. The rising sun lighting it up on the horizon. The Enclave must've been behind, hidden in the mountains. As usual, hiding away.

She looked around moving over a small hill, Brotherhood soldiers moving to and from the pile of rubble, trying to find parts they could use. She moved between the crowd as she heard a bark. Her head popping up as she was taken by her right. To the ground she fell as Rex and dogmas climbed all over her licking her. Her giggles soft as she let them show her excitement. A strong whistle commanded them both off her and she leaned up. Her eyes falling on Nora. She handed Ada her hand pulling her up to her feet with a smile.

"My god...you look awful. You wait until Cooper sees you. He's been anxious as hell. How do you handle him. He's such a grumpy guy" She chuckled making Ada laugh a little "Sorry we took so long. I figured when I saw the building and the amount of guards we need back up"

"Its okay, I get it. It was chaotic in there"

"What did they want with you?" Nora quizzed Ada

"Other than torturing me with my past...they wanted to try and turn my fathers project but into a bomb. It was Coopers wife..." Ada said hushed to Nora

"His wife?" They both began walking back up the hill towards a few shacks with people crowding a fire pit.

"Oh she's crazy. Bitch had me fucking electrocuted" Ada shook her head "No wonder she worked for Vault-Tec"

"Ooh fancy" Nora chuckled "Bit basic though" Ada nodded agreeing with Nora.

"They had my fathers body" Ada said sitting down on a log bench, Nora sitting down opposite her. Her eyes widening.

"Alive?"

"No. He was very dead. They told me they could revive him. I know he's dead but for a second-

Ada's voice broke as her head fell into her hands. She couldn't get the look of his body out of her head. No matter how hard she tried all she saw was his cold expression.

"He wouldn't have been your father" Nora said softly "they did it with my Shaun. The institute gave me a synth version of my boy. And as much as I appreciate that, he's not my boy. I love him and treat him like he is. But he isn't my child. He doesn't age. My boy died like your father, they're just shells of the person we once loved" Nora took Ada's hands "you made the right choice. He would just be a reminder of the life you could have had"

Ada looked up at Nora nodding slightly. She knew Nora was right. There was no doubt about that.

"I know, but it hurts"

Tears fell over Ada's cheeks. She closed her eyes seeing his body. She shook her head.

"I see his dead body everytime I close my eyes" Nora pulled Ada close to her, her arms wrapped around her.

"It will always hurt. But it will get easier. The only thing you can know is they can't do anything with him now" Ada nodded as she wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Where's Cooper?" Ada finally asked

"He's with Hancock. Had a real thing about him" Nora chuckled getting Ada's attention.

"And you left them alone?" Ada said surprised lifting her head off Nora. She looked around a little panicked.

"Eh I figured he needed to get whatever jealously he had out" Nora shrugged

"Or make it worse...you know Hancock. He talks and talks" Ada stood up wiping the tears from her cheeks

"You need a major shower by the way. You look awful" Nora said looking Ada up and down.

"I ripped some dudes throat out. Of course I look awful" she chuckled. Nora went pale, her mouth dropped slightly in shock. Ada saw so many familiar faces as she looked around the fire pit. A small smile spread over her lips. Seeing everyone all together made her feel a little better.

"I'm gonna go check on people you go find Cooper" Nora said softly patting Ada on the arm.

Ada lowered herself slowly back onto the chair just staring off into the fire. She just needed a minute to just think. Her eyes watching the flickering flames.

It had been a hell of a time and she knew in her heart she had done the right thing but she couldn't help but feel emotional. Her attention was grabbed as she was pulled to her feet, she was spun around to see Cooper. His expression concerned and worried as he looked her over.

His hands on her arms as he looked at her state. Covered in blood head to toe. Bandages on her head, wrists. A growl rumbled in his throat as he ran his thumb over her cheek. She ignored everything for a moment wrapping her arms around him. Her body clung to his as she brought herself close to him.

"Sweetheart" his voice was soft as his gloved hand ran through your dirty bloodied hair "I really hope that isn't your blood or someone's gonna get pumped full of lead"

Ada smiled against his chest.

"No it's not all mine. I killed a few people" She said softly as he scooped her up into his arms. He carried her up to an empty a shack and sat her down on a bed. He sat opposite her as she took off the leather jacket. Her skin below it stained with blood and dirt. She picked up a bottle of water pouring it over her skin, some of the dirt and blood washing away. Some still stayed, she'd need a proper shower to get rid of it.

Cooper looked at her, the tears in his eyes. He could see the pain in her eyes. It was obvious what she had been through. He saw the bruises over her skin, the cuts and wounds. Cooper stood up moving behind her, his hands wrapping around her. His breath against the skin on her neck.

"Are you ok?" He voice was soft. She closed her eyes and shook her head.

"No...I'm really not" her voice broke as he placed a soft kiss on her neck "But I will be" Ada turned around to face him "I met your wife" Cooper pulled back. His eyes widened as he looked down at Ada. A shocked expression spread across his face.

"Yo..You did?" He stuttered

"She's crazy. I don't know why she'd be working with the Enclave. I've never known any information to prove the connection between Vault-Tec and The Enclave" Ada was confused as much as he was.

"Did she hurt you? I swear I'll rip her fuckin' skin off" Ada scoffed

"Not if I get my hands on her first. The crazy bitch had me beaten, fucking electrocuted...who uses shock as a form of torture anymore" Ada shook her head

"What about the baby?" He said alarmed

"The baby is fine. I had Doc Mitchell check me over inside, and a Brotherhood doctor outside. We're both ok" Ada's eyes met Coopers. She couldn't read him properly. Maybe she was tired. She stepped closer to him.

"But take my warning, if I find her, if she ever comes for me again. I'll kill her Cooper. Whether she was your wife or not. Whether you still love her somewhere inside there" She poked his chest angrily pushing him back slightly. The sparkle gone in her eyes, only anger remained "I'll rip her fucking throat out" Ada titled her head "No one treats me like she did and gets away with it. She treated me like a toy. She knows you have a thing for me. She's aware of us. She knows a lot Cooper" The more Ada talked to Cooper the more furious she got. She closed her eyes seeing her fathers body again.

"Just make it stop" Ada screamed pulling at her hair, his cold skin. the torment. It claimed her. It owned her. Like a boiling pot she burned. Cooper pulled her hands away from her hair, his fingers slowly releasing the hair strands from her clutch.

"What happened in there Ada. I understand your angry but you need to tell me what happened in there. I need to know where your head is at" He grabbed her face looking in her eyes, the glow brighter than ever.

"They had my father Cooper..."

"I know they killed the synth in front of you-

She cut him off slamming her fists into his chest. She needed to vent and he understood that.He partly blamed himself for what Barbara had done to her.

"NO!" She was firm "They had his body. His cold. Dead body. False promises they could bring him back" Cooper pulled her tightly into his arms. He held her tighter than before. His fingers brushing through her hair. He hushed her softly, trying to calm her.

"Look sweetheart" He cupped her face watching her cry "You did amazing, you saved all your friends and you got out with you and our baby safe. Your father, I may not have known him but Ada" He grabbed her chin looking directly at her, he wiped her tears with his other hand. Her eyes meeting his "He would be fuckin proud of the woman you became. You were this young little thing, from a vault. Eighteen years old. You didn't have a clue what this world had to offer you and you embraced it. You took your fathers work and spread it across America. I've spent the past few days talking to Nora and today talking to all your friends and I couldn't be more proud. The things you've done, the people you fought for. He would be proud and if he isn't the rest of us are. You are strong, you are amazing Ada. This world doesn't deserve your beauty" His thumb ran over her bottom lip as she looked up at him.

She wrapped her arms around the back of his neck pulling him down to her level. Her lips smashing into his making him stumble back falling onto the bed behind him. He grabbed her hips pulling her down with him as they kissed. She needed that speech. She needed someone to just hold her and comfort her.

She needed the morale boost.His fingers knotted in her hair as she straddled him. She probably didn't taste great but he was use to blood and dirt. Her hands tugged at his coat as she tried to rip it off him. A growl escaping his lips as he bit down on her bottom lip. Hunger built up between them as he moved his lips down her jawline to her neck. Whimpers and moans escaping Ada's lips. Cooper tugged at the small cloth covering her breasts.

BANG

BANG

Ada and Cooper both jumped hearing a knock at the door. A groan came from Cooper as Ada got up off him.

"Oh come on sugar" He whined as she moved over to the door, she showed him a smile as she opened the door. Hancock and C both welcoming her. Hancock's eyes dropping to the small bit of cloth covering her chest.

"Sorry...we just wanted to let you know the Brotherhood are gonna fly us back to Vegas. You both wanna come?" C said

"We're gonna have a party and get fucked up" Hancock winked at Ada "I hear you got drugs" She rolled her eyes shaking her head.

"Sure give us five minutes" She looked back at Cooper who was already getting up off the bed, unimpressed by the cock block.

"Okay see ya in. a few" C pulled Hancock away from his practical drooling. Ada laughed closing the door.

"How about an IOU?" She leaned against the door "Let me have a shower and I'm all yours" She said watching Cooper move close to her

"You owe me big time but you're not getting fucked up. You can party but remember your cooking a little one in there" He reminded her, like she could forget.

Chapter Text

Ada had showered, the nasty reminders of her time inside washed away with the hot water. She was back in her penthouse, after what seemed like forever. She sat in her towel on the balcony watching the Vegas lights glistening. A lot had changed since she last sat here. The music played on her record player, the soft sounds of 'Earth Angel' floating through the air as she listened to laughter and cheering from the streets. She smiled and made her way back inside. Placing her Nuka Cola on the side, she looked over to the dress laid on her bed.

She had promised herself she would let her hair down and have a little fun tonight. All her friends were here tonight, friends she hadn't seen in a long time. She moved into her bedroom picking up the dress from the bed. The towel wrapped around her fell to the ground as she caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror.

She saw the bruises clearly now the blood and dirt was washed away, but her skin was hardening in more places. The ghoulish side was spreading, becoming a lot more evident now. It had kept her looking young for so long, and now the effects were ramping up. The more she exposed herself to danger and harm the more her ghoulish side showed. She opened up the side drawer beside her bed taking out an inhaler. One big puff and she wheezed slightly. Her hand on her chest as she felt the highness spread through her body. Cooper had to take these daily. Ada was more lucky it wasn't as frequent....yet.

She turned around picking up the gold sequinned dress, it didn't look too bad.A dress that had been stuffed in the wardrobe for many years without a reason to be worn. She pulled it up her body, pulling the straps over her shoulders. A smile spread across her lips as she looked at how pretty she looked. Her natural curls hung down the side of her face as she tied back a little bit of her red hair into an ponytail with a few small strands of curls hugging her face.

Finally ready, hair done, dressed she made her way down the hall to the elevator. Being home again was a good feeling.

Feeling safe.

The elevator opened as she was welcomed with her reflection. Her glowing eyes staring back at her as she stepped inside. She pressed ground floor as the elevator beeped. The doors closing in front of her. She placed her hand on her stomach. Her life had changed so much over the past few months. She could barely keep up with herself anymore.

The elevator beeped open as she watched people moving around like normal. Laughter filling the air as she stepped out of the elevator. She swayed down the hall listening to the loud music playing in the other room. She pushed the doors open stepping inside. A smile curving her lips, a warm happiness filled her stomach like butterflies as she saw her friends laughter, drinking, having fun. Friends who didn't know each other, getting along.

This was the life.

'We Belong Together - Ritchie Valens' played over the jukebox as Ada made her way over to the bar, she popped herself up on a stool.

"What can I get ya gorgeous" C smirked propping his elbows up on the bar mirroring how she use to welcome him most nights. A smile owned her lips, hurting her cheekbones slightly.

"Nuka Cola" She said winking at him

"Nothin stronger?" He urged

"I can't" Ada replied looking over C. C shot her a look as he opened a fresh ice cold Nuka Cola. A rare delicacy.

"And pray tell, why can't you drink little miss Ada?" He almost purred handing her the drink. Ada's big glowing green eyes battered as she took a sip from her drink.

"Oh MY...FUCKING GOD" C announced "ARE YOU...PREGNANT?" He piped up. He was shocked. His dark brown eyes staring right back at her. Ada rolled her eyes.

"Oh my god C. Have some control" She chuckled

"How? That could happen? What if i...us.." He was broken in panic. She placed her hand on his.

"It's not like that C. Doctors called it a chemical pregnancy. My human cells, they mixed with my ghoulish cells and I guess Coopers cells and created it. Its apparently really damn rare" She said in a hushed tone.

"So you two..." She nodded in response to him

"Yup. We're gonna be parents" Ada and C both look at each other and broke out in laughter. C jumped over the bar pulling Ada close to him.

"Congratulations Ada" He whispered holding onto her. Ada wrapped her arms around him as he squeezed her.

"Is it a bad time to tell you we got married?" C pushed her back, his hands holding her arms as he stared at her.

"Excuse me?" He exclaimed

"Yeah it was all rather rushed. It was in Lucy's vault...Cooper suggested it" Ada shrugged trying to reach for her drink as C held her. Her finger tips just mere inches from her bottle on her bar.

"Without me? Oh no no we can't have that. You deserve to have everyone around you Ada for something like that" Ada lifted her eyebrow "Give me an hour" He let go of her, stepping back into the crowd. Her eyes caught Coopers. A smile exchanged between each other as they found each other. Cooper dragged from your eyeliner as C grabbed his arm. She watched them disappearing into the crowd.

"I guess I'll watch the bar?" She shrugged as they disappeared. She turned back to the bar picking up her Nuka Cola. Taking a big swig she found herself swaying to the music, her finger tips running over the smooth surface of the bar. She felt content as he just sat there, lost within her own mind. No need for fear, concern, worry.

"Care to dance?" Ada turned hearing the husky growl behind her. Ada's head popped up to see Hancock. She rose to her feet taking his hand as he put his hand on her lower back. Hancock was one of the few people who knew Ada in a way not many did. He had traveled with her before, for a few years before deciding to go back to Good Neighbour, where he would have met Nora. Ada placed her hands on his shoulders as they danced.

"So I hear your cooking" He smirked at her as they slow danced

'Moon River' played softly as they swayed.

"Yeah. You heard correct" She smiled, she tilted his tricorn hat up so she could see him properly. His red coat torn and worn as she placed her hand on his arm. She had never seen him anything but this look.

"Guess we were doing it all wrong" He chuckled, hiding a small hint of pain in his tone. Her hand placed on his cheek.

"Its very complicated" She said in a gentle tone looking into his eyes "I wasn't even a ghoul when we met. I was still smooth and human. I'd only been out the vault ten years or so Han..." She was gentle, she knew how he felt about her. In another world who knew.

"I wish I'd never gone back to Good Neighbour you know" He voice was quiet

"But then you wouldn't have met Nora. She's wonderful" Ada smiled, he nodded in agreement.

"That's true. She is amazing"

"You need to let go of whatever is holding you to me Han and give her that energy. If I've learnt anything, 'what ifs' can be deadly" Ada was firm but kind "I love Cooper. Even if somedays I do want to rip his damn head off" They both laughed. Their bodies moved to the music playing, the lights had a warm glow around them.

"He does seem like a cool dude. Prewar too. Bet he's got some stories"

They stopped dancing when the song ended and Ada moved behind the bar. Hancock sat on a stool in front of her as she poured him out a drink. She took the last drops of her Nuka Cola before opening another bottle. the bottle lip flipping off as she hooked it on the side of the bar. She caught the bottle cap handing it to Hancock.

"He's got a crazy ex wife" She said jumping up onto the bar, he legs dangling over the edge.

"Eh crazy exes is just the way it is" Hancock joked taking a sip of his whiskey "I'm glad you found. happiness Ada. You always seemed so lost. Even when we had our thing. A part of you always seemed a million miles away" He looked up at her sat on the bar

"I'm sorry. I just had so much going on" She looked down at Hancock "I guess helping Nora finding her child, seeing all the vaults. It unearthed a lot for me. Plus trying to establish project Purity into the wasteland again. I guess I was a million miles away. That wasn't fair" Ada admitted

"Eh had fun either way though" He chuckled "All those vaults we explored. Fuck more crazy than safe"

"Well, according to my math and experience and combining the logs on my pip boy only seventeen out of one hundred and twenty two were meant to keep people safe" Ada said taking a sip of her drink

"The odds definitely weren't in anyones favour"

"Aint that right" Ada agreed with Hancock

"Been in any recently?" Hancock asked as he finished his drink. Ada spun around jumping down off the bar pouring him our another.

"Actually yeah..." She propped her elbows on the bar leaning on them "California is crazy" Her eyes widened a bit " Hancock turned around fully looking at her.

His interest peaked.

"Vault three...I almost got sacrificed" She said with a total straight face"Quite sad really. They were doing great. Surviving, thriving, but something happened to their water chip which seems to be a long running thing with fuckin Vault-Tec" Ada took a sip of her drink "Anyway, they sent people out to find parts to try and fix it. People were dying they needed assistance. The team sent out came across another vault who offered them help, trading. Anyway shit went south. They were attacked by fiends. Cannibals. They killed the entire vault. Took it over. Many many many years later. I roll up and they want to sacrifice me for the Flame Mother"

Hancock choked in laughter, Ada's confused expression spread across her face as she watched him burst into hysterics.

"I do hope there's a valid reason for your laughter"

"You got captured by fiends. FIENDS!!!" Hancock laughed like he couldn't believe what she was saying "I've seen you kill deathblows, supermatants, hoards of ghouls and raiders but those creepy freaks are what almost does you in?" He slammed his hand down on the bar laughing so loudly. She jumped over the bar pushing him in his fit of laughter.

"Shut up" Ada said pushing him again "Okay...calm down" She chuckled slightly "They knocked me out dude, If one hadn't of creeped on me I would have got them. If I remember correctly I remember you crying out for help because a radroach ate your jet. I remember you on the brink of crying" Ada added, returning the friendly banter and taunting.

"One, it wasn't jet Darlin' It was psycho. Two that stuff could have made him rabid" He poked her arm as they chuckled.

Ada had missed this. It had been so long since she felt normal. Happy. Just laughing and relaxing. It had felt forever since she felt like this. Ada looked into the crowd seeing Nora laughing and dancing with Sunny and Trudy. Everyone getting along was special to her. They all had something in common.

Fuckin Vault Dwellers.

"So where are you two off to next then? the next adventure" Ada said looking over to Hancock, she leaned back on the bar watching him.

"Vault one" he replied

"What's in Vault one?" Ada asked, now her interests had been peaked

"Its near the Commonwealth, it was a Vault-Tec safe house" Hancock shrugged "But I'm sure we will have a few more adventures in between. Never a dull day when travelling with a Vault Dweller" He chuckled as he tilted her head.

"You aint wrong darlin" Ada chuckled "You better go and get Nora. Otherwise she may end up leaving with Sunny" Ada teased

"Its C I'm worried about. They were flirting like two teens earlier" Ada burst into her own hysterics. Now it was her go.

"Oh good luck...C will eat her up" Ada teased

"Is that experience you're speaking from?" Ada shot Hancock a look with a slight nod

"Yup. Can't fault him on that shit. Definitely knows a good time"

"My god. Do you screw anything your eyes set on?" Hancock laughed pushing Ada playfully

"Jeez you sound like Cooper"

"Speaking of where is that cowboy?" Hancock asked

"Oh C ran off with him. C got mad I married Cooper in a Vault"

"Whoa you married him? So you're officially off the market?" Hancock looked her up and down "Shame"

"Yeah cause the pregnant woman was still open for business" Ada mocked

"Hey I wouldn't say no" Hancock laugh "Try everything once"

Ada's mouth dropped in pure shock with a slight sprinkle of disgust before realising it was Hancock. Nothing was ever a no to him. He would literally try anything.

"Eh sounds about right, but yes I am officially off the market" Ada said proudly with a smile owning her lips "I'm happy Han" She said placing her hand on his "I'm really happy" The look in her eyes was true, anyone could tell. He slapped his hand gently before squeezing it. They turned their attention back to the hall, most of the people had left the room. Nora moving over to Han and Ada.

"We gotta go" Nora said rushed, Ada raised an eyebrow as Hancock looked back at Ada

"Its all good I'm gonna find Coop and C. Don't want them killing each other" Ada downed the last of her Nuka Cola. "Enjoy Vegas guys. Anyone says anything tell them your guests of Miss Ada" she said giving Nora a kiss on the cheek "Be gentle with him. He's had a few" She chuckled.

"Oh wait, no...C wanted you to wait here for him" Nora grabbed Ada's arm. She looked at both of them and nodded sitting herself back down on the stool.

"The night isn't over yet sweetheart" Nora winked before dragging Hancock out of the room with her. Ada remained with a few gamblers hitting the machines. Her nailed hitting the bar one by one as she waited. Times like this she missed drinking. Drinking would definitely speed things up.

Chapter Text

"We're gonna do this Vegas style" C said placing a slightly torn veil on Ada's head as he prepped her in a room of the casino. It was one of the dancing groups rooms. Dresses, and other decorations surrounded them as she watched C ruffle through stuff to decorate her with. There wasn't any real need to redo something she had already done but C seemed pretty hyped about it all.

He hadn't let her see anything out of the room. He had her wearing this white gown, it was pretty good looking for a prewar dress. He'd found it years ago. She had remembered when they stumbled across it while they adventured.

"C we don't need all this. Our wedding was...alright" Ada hung on her word thinking about how unhappy and unimpressed they were watching two ghouls getting married in their clean vault.

"Oh yeah surrounded by fun party vault dwellers I'm sure" His tone sarcastic as he picked up a tiara from the side table, he placed it on her head softly.

"Eh think Lucy and her brother were the only kind ones there. Oh some lady made me a dress" Ada added. It all seemed so long ago now but it hadn't.

"Fuckin Vault Dwellers" C chuckled

"Hey now" Ada pushed him as C caught her eye. He stopped what he was doing for a minute as he looked her over in the dim candle light. The candle light flickering as her eyes glowed a gorgeous green, orange flames showing small flickers within the green.

"I missed you, you know. It wasn't the same around here without you" His voice was the safest she'd ever heard him talk. He pulled her in close, they shared a simple moment. A moment captured in time.

"I missed you too. Your my best friend C" He smiled a big smile when she said it. She pulled back. His smile still on his lips as he looked at her. They had finally reached a healthy state of friendship. They'd always be close. But reaching the point of him prepping her for another goddamn wedding was a milestone. He pulled away from their stare.

"Now lets get you two ghouls married...properly" He grabbed her hand as he pulled her out of the room. She was blindfolded as he moved behind her tightening.

"Is this really needed?" Ada asked as she felt her hand taken and led

"Yes I spent ages decorating this while you talked to your friend" He replied as she heard doors open. She felt the wind from the door opening blow her dress as she was taking outside. The warm breeze caught under her dress as C led her somewhere.

She could hear chattering and soft music playing in the distance as people moved on with their night. They came to a halt as she was let free. More doors opening as she was dragged inside.. She felt the temperature change, she knew she was inside by the change of humidity. Tripping over her dress she stumbled inside still blind. She was left still for a moment as she relied on her hearing to try and catch something. It was silent. All she heard was some shuffling here and there. Her silk dress clung to her body as she ran her hands over the soft silk.

Suddenly the sound of music caught her attention, the sound of trumpets caught her eardrums as she heard Dean Martin blast onto the scene. A smile owning her lips.

Vegas style indeed.

She laughed a little as she felt someone move behind her, her blindfold ripped off her as she saw everyone in the little church. It was a little chapel hidden between casinos. Rarely used. Rarely appreciated. An old reminder of the old world and drunken decisions made throughout the night.

Candles lighting the room, flickering. Half falling apart flowers and bouquets hung. Old halloween decoration scattered over the ceiling sparkling as the candle light caught them. An old worn, torn red carpet waited for her as C moved to her side.

All her friends rose to their feet, she looked at everyone. They had all changed into fancy dresses and suits. Cooper waited at the end of the aisle. A smile on his face. He wore a black suit and tie but kept his cowboy hat on. She held C's arm as he guided her down the aisle.

Dean Martin singing 'Ain't that a kick in the head'

Ada moved closer to Cooper, his smile widening as they reached each other. C moved behind Ada as she turned to face Cooper. Candle light lit her face.

To him she was beautiful.

To her he was handsome.

They took each others hands as Hancock came up standing in front of them both. He tilted his tricorn hat to them both.

"Looking' stunning as always smoothy" He said in a lowered tone. Cooper shot him a look as Hancock held up his hands.

"First, I’d like to begin by welcoming everyone and thanking each of you for being here on this most happy of days. I think I’ve had the good fortune to meet many of you at some point or another, but for those of you whom I haven’t met, my name is Mayor Hancock of Good Neighbour"

A few hoots came from the small gathering of friends there

"I have the privilege of officiating today’s most wonderful event. It’s a pleasure to be here with you because each of you represents someone important in the separate and collective lives of Ada and Cooper"

Hancock paused looking down at the cards he'd scribbled on. Ada and Cooper exchanged looks at one another

"It warms my heart to see the way you both look at each other – as if the other is the only person on Earth for you, and you know, you are. I've had the honour to listen to you both, the story of how you met. You two met each other in a random situation, it was instant so I'm told. But it took a moment before you eventually became a couple and have been there for each other through life’s twists and turns. And there are plenty of those in this crappy wasteland"

Everyone chuckled. Ada nodding in agreement as she looked at Cooper. His eyes hadn't left her. Her was hypnotised by her.

"Throughout it you’ve continually grown closer. You share laughs, tears, inside jokes, a fantastic dog, some amazing friends and we're all one big family"

Ada looked to the crowd of her friends. Hancock was right. They were one big family now.

"Relationships aren’t easy but I trust these two. I have faith in their love, in their friendship and in their commitment to one another. I know they’ll be there for each other. I know they’ll be loyal, and I know they’ll spend the rest of their lives growing and learning and laughing with one another, and at the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want? To be with a person – to be with our person – who makes every one of our days just a little bit brighter"

Cooper lifted his gloved hand brushing it over Ada's cheek, admiring her beauty. She closed her eyes at his touch. Tears burning in her eyes. Hancock was doing a beautiful job.

"With that, I think it’s time to let this wonderful couple speak about their love" Hancock stepped back from them both "Dearly beloved and honoured guests. We are gathered together today to join Miss Adelaide of Vault 101 and America's sweetheart Cooper Howard in the union of marriage" Hancock paused, looking at them both as they looked at him.

Ada took in a breath as she looked at Cooper. A few tears rolled over her cheeks. It was beautiful and happy. Hancock was doing a perfect job. Who knew he could wed a couple. This was far more special to her than the vault. All the people she loved was here in the room with her. She looked to the crowd seeing Nora, Nick Valentine, Piper, McCready, Sunny, Trudy, Doc Mitchell, Fawkes, Veronica, dogmeat and Rex.

C and Benny stood behind her.

Everyone she knew. Everyone she loved. They were all here.

Hancock handed her a piece of paper with some writing on it. She held it shakily, placing down at it.

"I, Ada" Hancock coughed making her jump slightly. She knew what he was hinting at.

"I, Adelaide" She watched him nod with a cheeky smirk on his face as she shook her head.

She had never said her full first name in front of Cooper. Just simply Ada.

"take you, Cooper, to be my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." She drew in a shaky breath as she lowered the paper looking up at Cooper. A smile on her lips as she ran her fingers over his cheek softly. His eyes closing at her warm, gentle touch.

“You can be assured that I will protect and guard our love for the rest of my life. As long as the sun shines in the day and the moon and stars shine at night, our love will always survive.I'll always be there for you. I take you now as my husband, and I promise to always be true. Before you, I never truly believed in 'one true love or a soulmate' In this world we learn to take what we can get. I know now that what we have transcends and is a much deeper soul connection. In you I found a partner in life, a lover, a friend, a safe place, someone I can be my ugliest and most vulnerable with" She held onto him as she begun to cry a little, tears rolled over her cheeks as the room fell silent.

"Thank you for embracing all the parts that make me, me. I could not have picked a better man for our future child to look up to"

That was the moment it was announced to everyone. Everyone knew she was pregnant now. Everyone in the crowd stood to their feet cheering and hooting for them. Happiness filled the air like the Vegas heat on a hot summers day.

"I could not be more grateful for you" She finished lifting his hand to her lips placing a soft kiss.

Cooper took a moment, she could feel his nerves as he looked to the crowd.

"Well I defiantly can NOT live up to that" Cooper choked a little as Hancock handed him a shot of something. He tilted his hat to him shotting the drink back.

"So I'll start simple and go from there" Cooper chuckled

"I, Cooper Howard, take you...Sorry Adelaide wasn't it?" He had. teasing smirk on his face as he winked at her. "to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." He paused taking her hands in his He was shaky as he held hers.

"In your eyes, I see my future; in your smile, I find my strength; in your soul, I discover a love I thought had died a long time ago still burns within me. Today, I give you all of me, my hopes, my dreams, my forever, knowing that together, we will create a lifetime of beautiful memories. Forever is a long time but with you its a mere second of time I wish lasted for an eternity. Being a ghoul aint no walk in the park but it'll be an adventure everyday with you"

Ada was a full mess. A happy emotionally mess. Tears rolled over her cheeks as she wiped them away.

"And now by the power vested in me by Mayor of Good Neighbour and the State of Nevada, it is my honour and delight to declare you married. Go forth and live each day to the fullest. You may seal this declaration with a kiss"

Cooper smiled

"Finally" He whispered pulling Ada close to him. He grabbed her waste pulling her close. Her body pressed against him as his lips claimed hers. He dipped her back slightly as one foot tipped into the air.

"I am so pleased to present the newlyweds, Ada and Cooper Howard. Lets fuckin' party" Hancock cheered.

Chapter Text

Cooper spun Ada around, one hand his hers as he twirled her around. The other around her waist loosely as her hands landed on his chest. He smiled down at her as they danced. Her eyes had him in a hypnotic state. He had barely taken his eyes off her all night.

Laughter filled the room as music played. Drinks poured. It had been such a great night. Everyone was so happy for her, they all congratulated her on her pregnancy. Finally the world was coming together and in a magically way. After the past few weeks Ada was happy to finally be at peace.

'Love is Strange' played on the jukebox. Cooper had been drinking for himself and Ada most the night. Everyone was in a happy drunken joy. Ada laid her head on Coopers chest, her eyes gazing upon Nora and Hancock dancing. They had a lot more energy than Ada had. A manic dance, they both swung each other around. Laughter exchanged between them both.

A few of her friends had already gone to bed and retired. It was almost six am. The morning rush would be starting soon. Ada was tired. She hadn't slept since leaving The Enclave base. It had been showering, partying and weddings and more partying ever since.

Her head popped up with a smile as she saw Sunny and C kissing in the corner. She poked Cooper and pointed over at them.

"Look at that dirty dog" Cooper chuckled. Ada smiled. Everyone around her was happy. There wasn't anything more she could desire or ask for.

'Skeeter Davis - End of the world' Began playing. Ada and Cooper slowly moved with one another, nothing else in the world mattered. Coopers fingers brushed through Ada's hair. Her breathing matching his chest moving as one.

"You looked so god damn beautiful you know?" He whispered to her as they slow danced

"You're one to talk. This suit, you look so goddamn handsome" Ada tugged on his shirt "I kinda miss the cowboy look though. My cowboy" She said said happily. Her eyes getting heavy as they danced.

"Think its time for you to get some sleep my sleepy wife" He chuckled scooping Ada up into his arms. She didn't fight or resist. Her body too heavy to argue. Nora and Hancock stopped dancing coming up to Cooper and Ada.

"She looked shattered" Nora laughed bending down to see Ada practically unconscious.

"Nah a bit of jet and she'll be fine" Hancock laughed "She'll get a second or fourth wind" He took a glance at her "Nah she's on her sixth wind, look at the glassy look in her eyes. Last time I saw her this tired she was helping Nora build a vault" Hancock said tilting his hat "Get her to bed"

It was almost an order.

Cooper carried her out of the hall and towards the elevator. The night was over. Ada was spent.

--------

Cooper laid Ada down on the bed, she stretched out letting out a small yawn like a tiny cat. He just stared at her, he couldn't believe how someone like him got someone like her. She peaked up at him just watching him staring at her. Lost within her beauty. She brought herself to her feet.

"Now I thought you were all sleepy" He huffed as she stood up, pulling him by his waistband to her.

"Second wind" Ada whispered as her lips brushed over his softly. Coopers fingers moved under the straps of her dress, flicking the straps of her dress off her shoulders. Allowing her wedding dress to fall to the floor. A puddle around her ankles.

“How do you want me?” Ada whispered against his lips. Coopers hunger for her burned. Her sexual desire oozed over him. She lowered herself down his body, laying back on the bed, her elbows propping her up. Her legs spread slightly as she kicked the dress from her ankles. He saw a peek of her white underwear. Her panties were bunched around her hips and covering what he ached to see the most.

Cooper was not sure how he had been granted such a gift but he was not going to deny himself any longer.

“I want you out of those little panties and on your back”

His heart stopped as she stood, her firm breasts bounced as she did so, eliciting another groan from him. He squeezed himself, slowly thrusting into his palm but it was not enough, it would never be enough.

She stood before him, she hooked her fingers in the waistband on her panties and then slowly drew them down her legs, she was free and nude before him.

Cooper was lost for a moment, dizzied by the sight. She was a marvel, like him, she was all long limbs but curves graced her figure and it cut a glorious sight. He nearly came right there; she spun and walked towards the bed, revealing a firm ass, round and larger than he ever thought possible of her small frame.

He imagined standing behind her parting her cheeks to reach the wetness beneath as he encased her waist with his hands, holding her flush against him.

For a moment, he stopped all workings, unwillingly to embarrass himself with the speed of his climax. Instead, he focused solely on her and her own pleasure as she relaxed on the bed and waited for him.

Ada lay on her back, legs together and arms by her sides, she peered at him, her little breaths filled the silence between the two.

“Now, be a good girl and touch those perfect breasts of yours, Adelaide” he all but growled out, all too aware of how needy she was, he could see it in every breath taken or every errant movement of her fingers.

“I knew you would not let that go” She giggled

“Well its just I never thought my wife would hide her real name” He growled

“Aint no lie. Just shortened” she responded

There was an ache consuming her at this point.

Her body raised upwards, it was aflame and her hips rolled up off the mattress, offering him a delicious view of her want.

Moaning, she slowly groped herself, her fingertip and thumb brushed against the hardened nipple, rolling it against her nail.

“Pinch it, Ada” Cooper ordered.

He knew of the line between pleasure and pain

“Fuck,” she keened; her back arched upwards, a most welcoming of invitations and he wanted to be there.

“Put your hand between your legs, Ada, tell me how wet you are,” he said, somewhat desperately.

The most eager of observers, he watched her nimble fingers graze downwards, swooping along the curve of her ribs. A small bulge beginning to show on her stomach. His eyes trailed her fingers as they moved lower, she finally parted her knees and he held his breath as her fingers skimmed lower until they reached her heated, wet core.

Cooper swallowed hard, gaping at her area. It was obvious how much she wanted this, of how she wanted him. He was surprised he had this much control. His desire for her had ached for some time now.

Cooper could hear how wet she was, the noises were evidence of her arousal and it was something he wanted to hear time and time again.

“I’m so wet, Cooper” she whined, closing her eyes as she pinched her nipple, squeezing it until her toes curled “I need…

She stopped

“I want you”

It was a dare, a challenge, a demand and he rose to meet her, exceeding all of her expectations. He grappled her hips and swiftly turned her so she was pressed face down into the mattress. It knocked the breath out of her but Cooper did not leave her unattended for a second and crawled over her, urging her hips upwards as he tilted her and lay mounted behind her, resting against the delicate arch of her spine.

“Fuck,” Ada moaned into the pillow, grasping the sides as she prepared for him.

His cock head brushed against her entrance, he wet it with her arousal before he entered her in one smooth, rapid movement. She dug her nails into the pillow and pulled at the fabric as her delirium took over. The slaps of their flesh coming together was her harmony and Cooper’s moans filled the air. His nails digging into her skin.

It was where he was supposed to be, deep inside of her and dragging his cock along her walls. He launched forward, moving the hair from over her ear and replaced it with his mouth.

“Look at you, you take me so well, you were made for me,” he panted.

It was what incited her to gather her senses and meet him, pushing back time and time again against his cock until she found herself nearing release.

“Let go, Ada, I want to feel you come around my cock,” he growled, the rumble left her breathless and she did, he brought one of his hand tightening around her thigh. His nails drawing blood from his tighten grip.

Cooper sucked her earlobe into his own needy mouth before nibbling it, again, she was lost, she crashed, convulsing around his cock. Cooper followed soon after, a long drawn out roar and the final frantic thrusts were delicious, she waited for him to join her in the bewildered, content haze that followed. She was his bounty and he had claimed her. She hummed, satisfied as she rolled over to face him a smile curving her lips

Chapter Text

"You're not going"

Shouts flew across the room as Ada packed up her bag. She was wearing her usual cowgirl get up, ripped jean shorts, an white shirt and her famous leather jacket. Her leather combat boot tied to just below her knee.

"You can't tell me what to do" Ada placed her hands on her hips, looking at Cooper.

"As your husband and father of the child inside you. Think I can missy" He flicked his cigarette off the balcony of her penthouse "And dressed like that I definitely can" he huffed.

"You met me dressed like this?"

"Exactly and look how that went" She scoffed placing some stimpaks in her bag, She carefully wrapped and packed a few vials to help with her ghoulish side into her bag. Coop had a way of losing or break-in his so she packed a few extra just incase. She knew he would end up coming. There was no way on earth he would let her go with Hancock alone. He trusted Ada, but Hancock. There was no trusting that man to keep his hands off anything. Now she just had to tell Cooper, Hancock was coming.

"Look Hancock will be coming" the words tumbled out of her mouth quicker than psycho entering the bloodstream. Cooper looked up and over at Ada his eyes narrowed at her.

"Nora is off at vault three, trying to see what information she can get about vault-tec and he offered to help" Ada shrugged

"The fuck he is. Why didn't you ask me?" Cooper spat furiously. He tilted his cowboy hat up storming back inside towards her like a storm sweeping the Nevada desert. His coat blowing with the speed he closed in on her with.

"Because I knew you'd act just like this Cooper. I've been hauled up for three weeks, I'm fucking bored"

It had been three weeks indeed since The Enclave took Ada. Since she had saved all her friends. Most of her friends had begun their journeys back home or elsewhere. Nora and Hancock remained for awhile. Which she was happy with. She was hardly wounded, sore or in any mood for Coopers shit right now. Her hormones were high. Her wounds and scars hardened by her ghoulish skin. Each day that passed the more her skin showed her transformation. She still wasn't showing much pregnancy wise but that didn't stop Cooper from being worried and concerned for her wellbeing out in the wasteland.

"Act like this..." He grunted "Oh I'm fucking fuming Ada. You are in no position to go bounty hunting" He grew close to her as she moved back, opening the cupboard behind her taking out shotgun shells from the top shelf "Oh my fuck' you ain't even listening to me are ya?" Cooper grabbed her arms staring into her eyes.

"I'm doing this Coop. You don't own me, I aint your gun or something. You can come or stay but I will not fight you over this. I've been bounty hunting for as long as I can remember, and its good caps" Her voice was soft verses his anger. North and south they were total opposites. Hot and cold. A breeze blew in from the balcony. It was a refreshing breeze. The heat had been a scorcher over the past week. Nevada was known for its heatwaves but this was unbearable, Ada needed to get out of the casino. No air con was a taxing experiment.

"I don't own you huh?" He moved close to her, barely any space between them. His face close to hers as he had her pinned against the kitchen side behind her. Her hands gripping the side for support as he towered over her. "You are my wife! You are the mother of my child" he growled "I may not 'own you' but you are mine. If I had my way I would own you"

Ada just stared at him, a gulp rolled down her throat as she tilted her head with slight angst looking up into his eyes. His brown eyes burning over her. He wanted to take her right there and then to prove him dominance over her. To prove she was his and only his. Silence remained between them, she could feel the heat of anger beaming off him.

"Fuckin fine. I'll come but I ain't happy about any of this" Cooper huffed storming off into the bedroom. A small smile hung over Ada's lips knowing she'd won her argument. She hid it the second he returned "Who is the fuckin' bounty?" Cooped grunted, unimpressed with Ada and her attitude today. She took out a bit of scrunched up paper from her back pocket, and he rolled his finger in a 'hurry up' motion.

"A Mac Fuller. Wanted for-

Cooper cut her off

"Nope. Not happening sweetheart. Not him" Ada stared him down. Her glowing green eyes burning on his skin. Her stare would be the death of him.

"Why? WHY NOT HIM" Ada was starting to get angry. Her feral side burning like a fire in the pit of her stomach.

"He's trouble. He'll eat a pretty thing like you up for dinner" Cooper paced back and forth in front of Ada. He knew she was going. He knew there was no stopping her. Once she'd made her mind there was no telling her otherwise.

A knock at the door startled them both, Ada turning herself to open it.

"Don't you-" Cooper warned her as she rolled her eyes. He was extra bossy, extra possessive today. What had come over him. She opened the door seeing Hancock tilt his hat showing her a smile. Cooper scoffed behind her.

As much as it didn't seem like it in this instance Cooper and Hancock had actually been getting on pretty well. They'd hung out and caught a few bounties themselves. Even went to a nearby vault and got supplies to fix the air con. Alas Ada was still waiting for it to be fixed.

"Morning guys" Hancock said as Ada moved to the side letting him in "You ready? Had a trader tell me they saw him south at a small settlement. Looks like he's heading towards Bittersprings to settle for the night" Ada grabbed her bag, she holstered her shotguns on her weapon belt and slid a knife in her back slot.

"Coop's coming'" She huffed as Cooper tilted his hat to Hancock, Hancock returning the same motion "He's moody today" Ada teased shooting him a wink

"I ain't moo-" He chuckled in a almost angry grunt, shaking his head as he picked up his satchel throwing it over his shoulder. His eyes watching Ada carefully. She opened a drawer in the kitchen taking out three inhalers. She threw one to Cooper, one to Hancock before huffing it herself. She wouldn't need another till tomorrow now depending on the stress of the situation.

"Maybe it's best I don't go" Hancock looked over at Cooper, his eyes returning back to Ada

"Oh ignore him. He's just moody that I want to get my hands dirty but as a pregnant woman I should stayed locked up forever" Ada mumbled pushing past Hancock "I ain't some damsel in distress" She shouted from the hall.

"Oh she's fuckin' feisty" Cooper said quietly to Hancock

"When ain't she" He chuckled closing the door behind them, Cooper watching Ada move down the hall to the elevator. She was mid tying her hair back into a ponytail. Her hair pulled back, hips swaying. She looked like a delight. Even with her attitude. Her red long curls bounced with her as she walked, the curve of her ass just showing with the jean shorts. This is exactly what was he was on about. She's a walking, talking meal plan.

-------------------

Hours had passed as they wandered through the sandy, hot wastes. The heat making Ada drip with sweat as she found herself feeling a little queasy. She didn't want Cooper to win so suffered in silence. She knew he would do the 'told you' routine and it drove her insane. A bubbling uneasy feeling brewed in her stomach as she trekked behind Cooper and Hancock. The desert was no place for a pregnant woman.

She stopped in her steps seeing Vault 34 to her left. She brought her hand up to cover her eyes from the sun, a bubbling feeling still churning in her stomach as she reached around taking the bag from her back. Ripping it open she grabbed a bottle of purified water from the side downing it in thirsty gulps. Cooper and Hancock had stopped a few steps ahead looking back watching her in a moment of struggle.

She usually would have gone inside the vault but she had already been in there with C a few times. It was an experimental vault. Over population, loaded with weapons. It would always end in disaster. The intense feeling in her stomach brewed to an unbearable point, she lunged forward throwing up on the dirt by her feet. Her hands grabbing her stomach as it continued. Cooper ran over to her with Hancock.

His hand rubbing her back trying to soothe her as she pushed him off.

"I'm okay" He huffed with little breath before throwing up again

"Maybe give her some privacy" Cooper suggested to Hancock as they both stepped back allowing her to have a moment. She fell to her knees, her hands grasping at the sand in anger as she rode out the storm of morning sickness in the middle of the Mojave desert. She sat on her knees for a minute trying to catch her breath, she gargled water before spitting it out onto the sand.

The unsettled anger in her stomach faded. She wiped her mouth and slowly and steady rose to her feet. Turning back to Cooper and Hancock they both lifted a thumb to signal if she was ok. No words, just silence she continued walking ahead. Her eyes trailing over the vault to her side. How many people died because of Vault Tec and their twisted ways.

Cooper ran up to Ada's side, his hand on her lower back.

"Are you okay?" His voice was soft with concern, his finger lifting her chin up to see his gaze.

"I'm okay. Just a bit of morning sickness" She said dryly

"The heat ain't helping" Hancock suggested "Ada you really shouldn't have done this"

Ada shot them both a look. A daring look.

"I'm fuckin pregnant, I'm not dying. Its morning sickness" She huffed pushing past both ghouls. They both exchanged looks at one another.

"Hormones are wild right now" Cooper hushed to Hancock.

Ada stopped dead in her steps turning around looking at Cooper

"Oh shit" Cooper muttered seeing Ada reaching behind her back "Oh fuck" He took a few steps back as she let out a snarl "Get a vial' Cooper called out of Hancock.

"A What?" He asked as Ada leaped towards Cooper, knife in hand. The heat and sickness had made her delirious. Her eyes glowing, her snarl feral. She pushed him to the ground climbing over him like a savage beast.

"GET A FUCKIN VIAL FROM MY BAG" Cooper yelled looking over at Hancock as Ada snarled, her combat knife getting closer and closer to Cooper's neck. Anger and fury filled her as she straddled him. Her legs each side of him as she hung over him, her strength pinning him down.

"Hormones you say" Ada snarled "I'll show you fucking hormones" the knife was mere inches from Coopers throat as Hancock shoved a needle into Ada's neck. Her eyes widening as she felt the juice running through her body. The knife dropped from her hand as her body fell a little limp over Cooper.

Cooper letting out a sigh of relief as her head fell against his chest.

"What the fuck was that?" Hancock looked at Cooper, a concerned look on his face as Cooper rolled a highly drugged up Ada off his body. Her eyes wide and glassy as she stared up at the blue sky above her. She watched the clouds float by in a numb highness.

A distorted and faded hum of

'In my heart, I have but one desire. And that one is you, no other will do'

Played over Ada's pip boy as the wind blew a cooler breeze over her. She just watched the clouds pass by at a steady rate.

"She's got a lot going on in there. A big bucket of drugs, the ghoul, her humanity, the pregnancy. Its all one big bucket of fucking drugs. Sometimes she gets angry, she gets feral. Nothing the vials can't handle" Cooper explained. He bent down scooping a high Ada up into his arms. He arms hung down as if she was unconscious.

"We're gonna have to stop somewhere for a few hours and let her recover. We ain't making it to Bittersprings today with her like this. I tried warning her" Cooper said looking around trying to find a shack or something, but it looked like nothing but wasteland for miles.

"What about the vault? We don't have to go too far in, just stay at the door. She's got her pip boy. Don't get much safer" Hancock suggested pointing over to the door behind them. Cooper wasn't overly chuffed about having to stay in one of the vaults for a bit but they had little to zero choice. Ada was lost in a sunset of high. The world around her slow and distorted as he carried her over towards the vault. Hancock reached down lifting her arm with the pip boy on, he unplugged it, hooking it up to the Vault-Tec panel. He'd watched Ada and Nora do it plenty of times.

Alarms blaring the vault door began opening in front of them, Hancock whipped out his gun from his holster as they both stood up watching it open. Ada's head dropped to the side, her mouth open slightly.

Words trying

Words failing

Chapter Text

Ada awoke to nothing. Silence. The occasional sound of slow dripping caught her attention as she leaned up, old tarnished metal. Confusion rushed over her as she ran her hands over the old dirty mattress she sat on. She slowly leaned up, looking around it took a moment but she realised she was in a vault. It was old yet familiar. She stood up on her feet immediately rushing for the already open door.

She looked above her seeing 'Infirmary' written above her. She turned around realising where she was.

"Vault 34" Her voice was dry. She looked around the room, her bag wasn't here. Her pip boy gone. She turned around in a slight panic as she rushed out into the hall. Small dirt particles and strands of light beamed in from the stairs above. She followed the light up the stairs into an open plan area. The vault door open in front of her. Her hand covering some of the sunlight beaming in as she stepped outside past the vault door.

Light chattering struck her attention as she moved her hand seeing Cooper and Hancock sitting by an old fire, a small plume of smoke burning from it as she watched them eat. Cooper laughing at something as Hancock kicked his foot. He pointed at Ada as she stood there still trying to gather her senses.  Her pip boy sat onto of her bag beside Cooper playing 'Country Roads'

'Country roads, take me home to the place I belong'

The soft sounds hit a sweet spot in Ada striking a smile across her lips, reminding her of another time. She closed her eyes feeling the heat burning over her. A kind breeze blowing on her skin as hand fell on her arms. Her mind snapped, images from the day before flickered through her head. Her on top of Cooper, a knife in her hand. She was so close to ripping his throat apart.

"Sweetheart.." Her eyes opened focusing on Cooper "Are you ok?" Coopers voice grounded her. Her eyes looking up at him. His concerned and fear filled eyes staring down at her.

"I'm sorry" Her voice broke "Did I hurt you?" She placed her hand on his cheek, guilt filling her as she looked up at him, tears rolled over her hot dirt stained cheeks, leaving pathways over her cheeks.

"I'm okay" His voice was calm and soft "You just had a blip. Its okay" Cooper pulled her close, his hands pressed against her hair stroking her calmly.

"I'm so sorry Coop. I don't know what happened. I..I just got so angry"

"It happens. The heat must have been too much. You just needed more vials and maybe more water that's all gorgeous" Coopers voice was calm and supporting, he held her close. His hold safe and protective.

"You slept all day and all night. You must be hungry" Hancock interrupted holding up a bowl of something. Her head popped up from Coopers chest.

"Food?" Cooper chuckled as he released her, she hurried over to Hancock seeing the bowl full of pork and beans. Lowering herself down on the log they use for a bench. She scooped the beans into her mouth. They were warm but she was so hungry she didn't care. Cooper moved beside her, his hand on her leg as he handed her two vials and a bottle of water. His concerned eyes hurried Ada to puff both vials. A quick high rushed through her veins as the buzz wheezed through her.

"So I'll be heading back to Vegas" Hancock said as Ada popped her head up "Nora got some pretty big break, she needs back up. You two are going to have to go ahead" Ada looked at Cooper. Ada was confused as Hancock pointed to her pip boy as Cooper passed it to Ada.

"She has a radio connection on your pipboy"

"I guess we'll catch up to you?" Hancock said "Or you'll catch up with us" Ada nodded finishing off the pork and beans. She threw the bowl to the ground standing up. She reached into her bag fiddling around as Cooper and Hancock both looked at each other. She grunted at the bottom of her bag pulling out a handful of jet. She walked towards Hancock giving him a hug.

"Well it isn't far. I hope Nora is okay" Ada said in a soft and gentle tone as she handed Hancock a few vials of jet. A smile clung to his lips as he tucked them in his bag. Hancock leaned in placing a soft, small kiss on Ada's cheek

"Be safe smoothskin" He saluted Cooper

"You won't be able to call me that soon!" He chuckled placing his tricorn on his head before marching off through the sandy Mojave desert. Cooper moving to Ada's side as she watched him leave. His hand on her lower back, a part of him hated the fact Hancock kissed her but his possessiveness was his own problem.

"Huh that use to be me" she said quietly as Cooper looked down at her "I was the one who always left"

"Well you ain't leaving me vaulty" Cooper chuckled as he spun Ada around, his lips claiming her in a moment of dominance. He needed it for him. He needed to feel her in some form. She was his. She was a drug, worse than the vials, or psycho. She gave him life. A reason to go on.

His hands moved up from her lower back. His fingers finding their way into her hair as he gripped and yanked her head backwards. His lips trailing small dotted kisses over her neck. Whimpers and moans escaping from Ada as his teeth grazed over her skin. He leaned in taking in her scent. She heard him breathe her in as he released her hair. Her head falling down to catch his gaze again. A smile curved her lips as her tongue brushed over her lips taking in his taste. A low growl escaped her lips as she took his hand leading him back inside the vault. A smile curving his lips.

————————

After their fumble around inside the vault Ada and Cooper had began their walk to Bittersprings. They had been walking for just over an hour as they came up to a town in the distance. The heat created ripples making it look like a mirage. Ada fiddled with her hair after Cooper had messed it up. Sex hair was always a good look but not when you’re bounty hunting.

She pulled it back looping it into a ponytail. Cooper watching over her with a proud smirk on his face watching her hide his handy work.

“I know a few folk here, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find him. There’s like five shacks and eight people here at most on a good day, mostly just NCR” Ada said looking over at Cooper

“Lead the way sugar” Cooper said guiding his hand out for her to lead. With a cocky strut she walked in front of him. Her curves swaying side to side as she walked through the dry sandy desert. She came up to a shack with two NCR inside. Failing at guarding as they played some type of card game,

She raised an eyebrow overlooking them as she continued into the main part, a few tables scattered with a gun shop ahead of them. Her eyes rolling as she heard a familiar cackle.

“Well loony boys. Little miss Ada. Got a ghoul with her this time” She rolled her eyes turning on the spot to her left.

“Still mad I banned you from the strip Adam?” Ada said placing her hands on her hips. Adam stepped out from under a shack wearing some old brotherhood armor. He was never BOS “still thieving I see” she pointed and hinted at his armor.

“What an earth do you mean? I earned this”

Ada broke out with a chuckle

“Brotherhood are a lot of things Adam but they don’t hire scum or thieves”

Adam shot a look at her before looking at Cooper. Coopers hand on his gun ready for shit to go south.

“As usual you brought back up. Where’s your other little friend. The tall guy with the sniper?” Adam checked out Cooper up and down and scoffed. He hated ghouls. Always had.

“Last I checked he was off fucking your mother” Ada said scratching the side of her face with her middle finger.

“You little cunt” Adam lunged towards Ada, as she whipped out both shotguns. Adam’s men retaliating lifting their pistols. Cooper tutted through his teeth lifting his shotgun up towards Adam.

“Wouldn’t do that kid” his southern accent, a hot steady warning. Ada placing a hand on her hip with a cocky smile “seems we’re at a standoff”

“Fuck off ghoul. This whore is mine”

Cooper took no prisoners and shot Adam in the leg, chunks of meat and skin blowing back as Adam crippled over onto his knees.

“Kill the whore, then the ghoul” Adam demanded

Cooper grabbed Ada and swept her behind a shack wall, his body covering hers as a shield from the bullets. NCR soldiers shot at Adam and his men, with the assistance of Cooper.

Among the gunshots Ada noticed a man to her side trying to sneak away. Her eyes watching him climb over the hill hiding behind the rocks as he moved. That was her bounty. She knew it. When Cooper ducked out to fire more shots Ada swept from under him chasing the guy.

“Ada!” Cooper called over the gunshots as she darted after him. She avoided gunshots and bullets as she chased him up the steep dirt hill. She reached the top as she faced the man. Face to face he held a pistol at her face.

A gunshot.

He shot Ada in her shoulder before darting off as she was taken aback. She watched him run before taking off her jacket quickly, the wound wasn’t too bad. She wasn’t sure it was even a gunshot, the wound was too small. With a huff she ignored it and chased after him.

A dirt smoke trail followed him as he ran, tripping over in a panic. A now furious Ada took out her pistol, kneeing down she eyed him down the lens on her gun. Watching him wobble and panic she aimed for the leg.

One shot

Another shot.

He fell down. With a grunt she rose to her feet slowly wandering over to the man. He cried and screamed rolling over in the dirt. His hand covering the wound on his leg. She stood over him, kicking his gun away from him.

“Mac? I assume”

“Fuck off lady” he spat at her boots

“I’m claiming your bounty” she bent down flipping him over. He tried to struggle as she lifted her boot pressing it down on his back. He tried to fight her as she placed one cuff on one wrist followed by the other wrist.

“The fuck you doing” Cooper shouted furiously marching over to Ada, his shotgun still out as he reloaded it. Ada pulled Mac back over and sat him up.

“Catching our bounty” she said proudly. Coopers eyes fell to Ada’s shoulder. He put his gun away and looked at her shoulder.

“You’re shot” he said concerned

“Yeah this fucker shot me” she kicked him “I think it’s a tooth” Ada said looking at the hole again. Cooper bent down going through their backpack. Thankfully Ada always carried a medkit and stimpaks. Ada lowered herself onto the dirt as Cooper took out some tweezers.

“I’m sorry sweetheart” Cooper said poking the tweezers inside her shoulder.

“Ahhh fucker” she grabbed a rock throwing it at the bounty sat and cuffed beside her. Her throw heavy as he yelped when it hit him. With a pinch Cooper yanked it out.

“Well it’s not a tooth so that’s something” he said holding it up to the sun “it’s fuckin glass”

“You shot me with glass” Ada scrambled over ready to throttle the guy.

“Chill out vaulty” Cooper pulled her back as he took out his sowing kit. He stabbed her with Med-X while she was distracted with scum beside her.

“Ahhh Coop” She punched him in the arm from shock, violence was her only release from the pain. A smile hung on Coopers lips, he loved the fight in her. His little killa.

With that he began to stitch up the small wound, he was careful with his stitches, Ada still eyeing up the bounty beside her wanting to throttle him at all costs. With a swift knot he was done, finishing off with another sharp pain. A stimpak into the hole.

“FUCKKK” she pushed Cooper back “enough I don’t need no nurse” he grumbled standing on her feet. She grabbed Mac yanking him to his feet before pushing him.

“And how do you expect me to walk?” Mac grunted while hobbling

“I honestly don’t care, I can get him to drag you with his lasso if you prefer?” Ada hinted to Cooper, still unimpressed with being shot with glass.

“My boss is gonna fucking kill you both when he finds out” Mac threatened her

“And who is your boss little one?” Cooper questioned poking Mac with his shotgun.
Adam’s started laughing in a fit, he hobbled while his hysterics cackled.

“Papa Khan”

Ada stopped. She looked pale as a ghost. She killed him, he was dead.

“Good one” Ada hid her concern with a chuckle “he’d been dead for years. I kill him”

“No you didn’t. You left him to die in a canyon. I recognised you the second I saw you. It’s why I shot you. He’s been looking for you. Pretty little thing like you…he’ll skin you alive after he’s fucked you, tortured you…probably all in front of your little friend here” Cooper was practically foaming at the mouth from anger. Ada could see it in his eyes. He wanted to slit his throat. Mac just chuckled.

“Just you wait…he loves skinning Vault Dwellers”
Ada rolled her eyes leaning forward to the skinning man.

“And i love ripping Khans throats out” Ada growled into his ear.

Chapter Text

Ada and Cooper both arrived in Westside. Their bounty dragging behind them, nightfall swept over the town. A cold chill brought in the smell of a storm with it. The flickering glow of the strip behind them as they headed towards Little Loretta's Club. The owner of the club had set the bounty for Mac. This was a rare place in the wasteland, anyone was welcome here. Once entered, your faction meant nothing. That didn't stop hate. You wanted to fight, you left the club. Ada was stopped at the door by the bouncer. She lifted her cowboy hat up and pulled her banana down from covering her lower face, showing her face to the bouncer.

"Now Manny you gonna be that cold to your daytime boss?" Ada showed a cheeky, flirty smile. A smile Cooper hated going to others.

"Oh my...I'm sorry Miss Ada... I didn't know it was you" He stumbled over himself opening the door for her, she smiled stepping to the side allowing Cooper and their bounty to walk in first. She placed a gentle kiss on the gentle giant.

"You're all good" She smiled at his bashful self. He was too kind for his own good. Ada tipped her hat moving past him. Cooper giving her daggers as he watched the exchange happen.Ada pushed past him, pushing Mac down the stairs slightly. The loud music and lights welcoming them as she came down to a crowd of people. It was a busy night for sure. She turned moving closer to Cooper, her hands dragging down over his chest as he let out a growl. a smile hung on her lips as she reached down to his belt unhooking his lasso. A sad sigh escaping his lips as she turned around wrapping the lasso around Mac's neck.

"Don't want you getting lost in the crowd" Ada shouted over the music as she tightened it. She wrapped it around the palm of her hand as she led him through the crowd of people dancing and drinking. The music loudly playing 'I don't want to set the world on fire". The lights flickering between green and red dancing to their music. A DJ was on the stage doing some changes to the song adding other music to it. Ada vibes to it as he dragged Mac.

Not a care in the world.

A arm reached out grabbing Ada from the crowd, Cooper raised his gun up pointing it. It had been a hell of a day. Everyone was on their last nerves.

"Oh hold up cowboy" Ada heard his raised voice

"McCready. The fuck you doing here?" Ada shouted as he dragged her from the crowd, Mac dragging behind like a dying dog. Cooper kept up as MacCready invited Ada and her audience into a side room.

"What was you saying Darlin couldn't hear ya over the music" Ada smiled at him. He wore his usual, body length tan jacket, torn at the front, held together by a belt. He didn't look like he'd aged too much over the past few years.

"What are you still doing here?" she replied

"Ah bounty hunting. Pretty big one, he's wanted right now. Mayor of Diamond city hired me to bring him in as I know the guy. I was on my way here when your metal dudes picked me up"

Cooper eyed up MacCready

"What's your dude done" MacCready hinted to the guy Ada had tied up with Coopers lasso.

"Bounty. Miss Loretta wants me to bring him in. Guy should be lucky its a big bounty otherwise he would be bird food right now. Fucking guy shot me" Ada took off her hat, headbutting Mac in the face. He stumbled back bringing his tied up hands to his bleeding nose "Piece of shit"

"Oh careful buddy, that's gonna take a minute to heal. Speaking from experience. This girl loves headbutting. She's cold. She'll slit your throat and eat dinner at the same time" MacCready laughed looking at Mac as he tried mumbling something through the gag in his mouth. Ada noticed Cooper's possessiveness as he eyed MacCready.

"Fuck! Coop you've met the guy already" Ada rolled her eyes chucklingly as she threw her bounty on the sofa tying him up on pole. Mac still holding his noseShe moved in giving MacCready a hug.

"Dude I didn't get to catch up with you much before you left at the wedding. I hope you're doing well" She said grabbing a nuke cola from the side. Slamming the tip off the edge. The bottle cap flipped off as she caught it and pocketed it.

"Yeah..." he scratched the back of his head "You know me Ada. I keep myself to myself and I don't handle people...too great" Ada nodded taking a sip.

"So remind me how ya'll know each other" Cooper was extra protective today. Who could blame him. Ada had been shot at and shot today.

"Man I met him when he was a little kid Coop. Like a child. He was mayor at Little Lamplight. After a whole lot of bribery he helped me..."

"Wouldn't say I helped much. We were kids and we did try and screw you"

"He made me take this annoying fucking child to Big Town. Would not shut the fuck up. God I wanted to kill him so bad" Ada moaned, disappointment filling her. "In exchange they would let me use the murder pass to get into vault 87 to get the G.E.C.K. That's where I met Fawkes, the friendly supermatant and also that's how I ended up getting taken by The Enclave the first time" Ada explained "I ended up meeting him again, god like ten years later in Diamond city travelling with fuckin' Nora. Pretty sure they were screwing" Ada raised an eyebrow to MacCready as he showed a proud smile

"Oh come on who hasn't? The chick fucks ghouls Ada. Then again I think you and her also right?"

"Ahhh and who is your bounty?" Ada quickly swept in changing the subject as MacCready burst into laughter

"Ahahaha so you did? She wasn't bullshitting me?" Cooper shot more daggers. He hated hearing about all Ada's flings over the years

"Who hasn't she fucked" Cooper muttered under his voice. Ada returned the daggers to Cooper.

"Him" Ada pointed "MacCready, I haven't fucked him"

"Hey there's always time. I'm always game. I keep getting older but you keep getting hotter and hotter" He teased

"Over my dead body" Cooper snarled as he moved towards MacCready

"That can be arranged buddy. I'm a hired hand. Ain't no rules for me buddy even if you're under her protection"

"Okayyyy boys. Lets all chill" Ada tried breaking up the situation. Her hand on each other them keeping them apart "No one is fucking anyone" She called out. MacCready didn't even flinch as Cooper kept trying to get to him.

"She's pregnant and my wife. You go anywhere near her and I won't hold back ripping you apart"

Ada stood between them both rolling her eyes slightly. She pushed Cooper back with a hefty push. She took out her shotguns pointing one at each of them. MacCready held up his hands backing up. Cooper pushed himself closer, his chest against her gun. He was testing her. He knew she wouldn't shoot but that didn't stop him testing her.

"Yeah didn't think you would" Cooper challenged her, Ada scoffed as she pulled the release back on her other gun shooting it up at the ceiling. Cooper flinched, his hands roaming over his chest as the dirt and rubble fell from the ceiling.

Ada cracked her neck, rolling her attention back to MacCready.

"Who is your bounty" She said with a cold and firm tone. MacCready looked at Cooper, he was still in shock from thinking Ada had shot him. His attention returning to Ada as she put her shotguns away.

"You know him Ada. Fuck its Benny" Ada's attention was perked as she heard the name

"What's he wanted for?" She quizzed MacCready. Silence as he kept keeping an eye on Cooper who was unimpressed with Ada right now. "WHATS THE CHARGE MAC"

"He had a gambling match with the Mayor of Diamond City and a few other higher ups and ran off with all the winnings that weren't his. He lost the game and still took the winnings" MacCready jumped at her angry demand.

Ada was taken aback with this news. She had Benny at the casino, he was working for her. MacCready saw the panic over her face.

"You know where he is don't you" MacCready questioned her, she returned with a nod

"He's at the casino. He works for the Courier . Well he's paying off his enternal debt to C for shooting him in the head. You're gonna have to go speak to him" Ada was soft, but this was out of her department "I can't give the go ahead. Its not my debt. If I had my way I would have fed him to the birds a long time ago. Guys a real creep" Ada continued "You want a guy to shoot Coop for unwanted flirting he's you guy" She chuckled, but Cooper was pissed off to care for her remarks.

Wide eyed she turned back to MacCready mouthing a 'wow' to him.

"Well I'll go and talk to your guy see if we can make an agreement"

"C is a good guy. I'm sure you'll come to some agreement"

"Oh yeah, she'd know all about him being a good guy" Cooper muttered under his breath "Fucked him too"

Ada rolled her eyes

"You gonna be like this all night?" She shot back at him, hands on her hips.

"You shot at me" Cooper spat back furiously

"No..I shot the ceiling but if you're gonna cry about it, I can put a few holes in you, if you'd prefer?" Ada shot back taking her gun out again.

"Okay and that's my time to leave. I'm human here" He said moving past Ada "See ya around Misses A" He said shooting her a smile, a two finger salut as he moved past an extremely angry Cooper, leaving the room. His eyes clocking the guy tied up on the sofa. Ada watched him leave before Cooper moved attempting to close to the door.

"Oh god not now Coop. Let me hand this guy over before you five me your shade" Ada muttered pushing past him. She untied Mac yanking him off the sofa. Blood still trickling down his nose and he mumbled angrily under the gag. He yanked on the lasso pulling him through the crowd of people dancing. Cooper followed, but he was still pretty furious with Ada. He was not done with her or her attitude. Ada moved straight head, people dancing and pushing her around as she saw the managers office just up ahead. A different song playing over the sound system.

'Orange Coloured Sky'

No wonder everyone was enjoying. It was a banger for sure. Ada yanked Mac from the end of the crowd. A few people shattered around and lingered outside Loretta's room. Ada looked to see few in the corner doing, what she was pretty sure was jet and psycho. Huffing it straight up before pushing past her heading for the dance floor. Ada allowed it before giving two knocks on Loretta's door.

"Passcode" A voice said

"Marty fuck off and let me the fuck in before I go tell your mama you're screwing one of the hookers from Freeside" Marty scoffed opening the door. She pushed inside yanking the lasso pulling Mac with her. Fear filled Marty's eyes. He was this short little fella that worked for Loretta. He wore black rimmed glasses and this tattered brown patched suit which. was his fathers before he passed.

"You aint gonna tell my mama right?" Ada looked at him

"You think I'd break your mama's heart? You know she wants a good girl for you. Now get out" She tilted her head to the doorway. Marty hurried off, jumping at the sight of a furious Cooper.

"Oh sorry sir" He bowed his head, leaving the room. Loretta stood up from her desk laughing.

"Why you always gotta tease him Miss Ada" She stepped out from behind the desk, wearing a short red dress, fishnets and black high heels. Her had long black curly hair and bright red lipstick. Her skin white as snow. She was an ex whore who rose to notoriety when she killed her husband who owned this place before her, he was an abusive jerk who had it coming. She was by far gorgeous. She used the club to hide the fact she had a whore business on the side. It was Loretta's girls vs the Freeside. No one wanted to get between those fights.

"How you doin gorgeous" Loretta said in a seductive tone to Ada, her finger brushing over Ada's cheek.

"Ah I'm good. However, I am debating asking for more caps. This fucker shot me Loretta. Shot me with fucking glass" Ada yanked him forward pushing him onto the chair beside Loretta's desk.

"Don't you worry doll, I'll treat him real good. Planning on returning him with a few body parts missing" Loretta smirked taking out a combat knife from behind her belt. "Starting with his cock. Considering he think's its okay to assault my girls and not pay. Boy gonna wish he was fucking dead by the time I'm done" Ada smirked looking over at Mac squirming on the sofa.

"And who is this handsome man joining you're party? Girls pay double for ghouls to fuck these days" Loretta looked behind Ada, her tongue running over her lips as she looked Cooper up and down. A burning rage filled in the pit of her stomach.

"Hes not for sale. Nor a companion" Ada said firmly

"I can decide my own fate darlin'" Cooper said pushing past Ada. Ada raised an eyebrow as she tumbled into the lap of Mac. His eyes meeting hers as she quickly got back to her feet.

"Damn shame. You're not bad looking. How old?" Loretta bit down on her blade.

"Prewar" Cooper almost purred to Loretta

"Oh tasty. Got girls that would pay a good amount for the prewar service. A proper gentleman"

Ada watched between them, her arms crossed. She knew what Cooper's game was and if he continued things were about to get real fucking messy. She watched Loretta move closer to Cooper.

"So you're free then. You aint her companion" She almost mocked the tone of 'companion' "Everyone has a price ghoul. What's yours?" She was meer inches from his lips now as smile curved over Coopers. Loretta's fingers curled around the edges of Coopers coat. Her pearly whites bit down on her lower lip as she pressed herself against Cooper. Her large breasts pushed against him.

Fury filled Ada.

Tears burned in her eyes.

She stood there frozen not even believing what she was even seeing. No way this was happening.

"You know. I've fucked a lot of men. Never a ghoul. What's it like?" Loretta purred

Cooper gasped as a massive bang echoed through the room. Loretta, jumped and ran behind her desk ducking before realising the bang came from the room. Ada holding her shotgun up. Smoke tumbling from the end of the shotgun. His eyes met Ada's as she shot him again and again. He stumbled back with each shot. She knew she wouldn't kill him, but that didn't stop her from getting her anger out.

"Partners in crime my ass" Ada spat as she took another shot in his lower leg. She threw two vials down at him as he lumped on the floor grunting as he picked out the shotgun shell splinters. She ran out the room slamming the door behind her. Tears blurred her vision as she pushed through the crowd of people. She was too angry. She didn't want to go back to the hotel. It would be the first place he looked for her. Getting angry at her past was one thing, she never knew she was going to meet Cooper. She got whatever love she could find even if it was for one night but what he just did took it too far. He crossed a line for her. She pushed the club door open making Manny jump.

"Miss Ada you okay?" His southern accent shouted as she ran off down the street. The Vegas lights blurred as she headed towards the only other place she knew she could go without Cooper finding her.

Freeside

Chapter Text

Blurry vision, Ada ran through the streets. Her heart shattering as she pushed past gamblers on their way to another Casino. She came to a slow walk as she wiped tears from her eyes, followed by more tears to replace them. Through her blurred vision she came up to The Kings. She pushed the door open going inside. This place was once full of wannabe impressionist of the once known Elvis but After C did some magic it was pretty much the same but they were more friendlier. Now they had a working bar, music and was always full. Ada made her way down the dimly lit hall. Tables full as an Elvis Impersonator stood on stage singing old Elvis songs. Ada didn't care as she made her way straight for the bar. She took off her leather jacket placing it over the stool, before hopping up on a stool as the bartender moved over to her.

"Well, Well, Well. Little Miss Ada from the strip. What did we do to earn you're beautiful presence"

Ada looked up seeing a smiling Rufus. He had one eye and worn an eyepatch, he was one of Ada's first bounties but he chose to work here to pay off his debt. He had a red tartan jacket on as he leaned onto the bar staring at her. His speaking skills weren't the best but his hillbilly accent always made her smile.

"Oh Miss Ada, why do you cry?" He said tilting his head down at her

"Why do men suck. Such assholes" She sobbed laying her head on her arms against the bar.

"On the behalf of all men, I'm sorry Miss Ada" His voice was warm and soft "The usual I assume?" Ada looked up at him. She contemplated saying no due to being pregnant but right now she couldn't give two fucks.

"Yeah the usual" She said, a small put of shame in her stomach "With a bottle of Cola" She added. Rufus smiled.

"You picked a good night Miss Ada. Got this Elvis and some funny men on tonight. They gonna tell jokes and make you laugh. Promise Miss Ada" His southern accent wasn't quite like Coopers. More dumbed down but she didn't need Cooper tonight. Rufus poured out a glass of whiskey and took a Nuka Cola from the fridge below the bar.

"Lucky. We just fixed the fridge so you get cold cola Misses A" He said handing the glass and bottle to Ada. She looked down at the glass, picking it up she gave it a deep sniff allowing the smell to knock her senses before taking a swig of cola. Rufus watched her sniff the alcohol before drinking the cola.

"Uh Misses A...you suppose to drink it not smell it" Ada gave him a small smile as she sobbed. the odd tear falling over her cheek as she looked over to Rufus "He didn't hurt you did he Misses A? Cause I'm gonna have to contact the Courier you know that" He pointed to the fresh wound on Ada's shoulders.

"I'm okay Rufus. He didn't hurt me"

Ada's attention was grabbed by the Elvis singer on stage. His voice was one of the best she'd heard.

"Wise men say, Only fools rush in. But I can't help falling in love with you" Ada turned her stood around to face him as he sung.

"Shall I stay? Would it be a sin. If I can't help falling in love with you?" It tugged at her heart in this moment. It had been a favourite of hers, but she'd never heard it when her heart was broken. She was reminded of Cooper. She knew she could never stay angry at him. He had this force over her. A drug she was unable to resist taking.

"Like a river flows, Surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes...Some things are meant to be" Ada leaned on her elbow hypnotised by his singing. He wore an old tattered Evil suit. The white almost yellow. The sparkles still sparkled as the disco light hit off him.

"Take my hand, Take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love with you. Like a river flows
Surely to the sea. Darling, so it goes....Some things are meant to be"

His voice was soft, his eyes glanced over the audience as they were all surprised to hear such a beautiful voice. Tears fell to the sound of his voice.

"Take my hand, Take my whole life, too. For I can't help falling in love with you...For I can't help falling in love with you" He held the last note so well. Ada and the rest of the room rose to their feet in applaud. Her tears still rolling but for the mix of upset and beauty. She lowered herself back to the stool as she took the glass of alcohol and poured it into the sink below the bar. Rufus had disappeared from behind the bar as she took another sip of her drink.

"One more for you all for being so amazing" The Elvis impersonator said on stage as Ada held her Nuka Cola in her hand. He took the microphone as men came out behind him, one remained on the piano, another came on drums and another waved as he picked up a guitar. The music was soft as the guitarist and drummer began playing.

"Maybe I didn't love you, quite as often as I could have. Maybe I didn't treat you, quite as good as I should have" Elvis began to sing as the crowd clapped in tune with the musicians.

"If I made you feel, oh, second best...Girl, I'm sorry I was blind. You were always on my mind… Maybe I didn't hold you, all those lonely, lonely times. And I guess I never told you"

Ada leaned on her elbow listening to him. The rest of the world didn't exist for this moment as she stared at the band and Elvis on stage. Him pouring his heart out to the crowd as his backing singings sung in the back ground.

"I'm so happy that you're mine...Little things I should have said and done. I just never took the time… When you were always on my mind...You were always on my mind"

The musicians amped up the music with a little more energy.

"… Tell me" They all sang before allowing Elvis to continue alone

"Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died, And give me. Give me one more chance to keep you satisfied...I'll keep you satisfied… Little things I should have said and done. I just never took the time...But you were always on my mind"

His musicians behind him began to rejoin him in song

"You were always on my mind...You were always on my mind" The crowd stood up roaring in cheer. Clapping and the roar of happiness filled the room, the loudness making Ada's ears hurting and vibrate from the noise. She laughed a little through broken tears as she covered her ears for protection. She lowered herself back down on the stool taking a big gulp from the cola. Turning around she finished her drink before jumping down off the stool. Picking up her leather jacket she wrapped it around herself. She moved behind the tables leaving The Kings. Opening the door she was welcomed by rain falling. She knew something was coming in. She turned right heading towards the Hoover Dam.

It didn't take long. Maybe half an hour before she reached the Hoover Dam entrance. NCR guards, guarding the entrance. One smiled at her as she pushed the gate open. Another one of the guards saluting her as they allowed her in. Her face was highly recognisable even if she was in tears. She moved to the middle of the dam jumping up on the edge of the wall, flipping her legs over she sat there. Rain pouring down over her, her wet hair clung to the side of her face as she swung her legs back and forth as she put her hands in the pockets of her jacket. Her fingers wrapping around the cap from earlier. She pulled it out and held it in the palm of her hand.

"You're meant to make a wish" She jumped turning her head to see C stood behind her. A smile on his face as he looked at her tear stained face "I do hope you ain't planning on jumpin" He said as he jumped up beside her, sitting on the dam wall by her side.

"Unfortunately not" Ada's voice was dry and broken as she spoke.

"Oh Ada. Darlin" His voice was soft as he saw tears dribble slowly over her cheeks " You're such a mess" He continued with a smile. She pulled her hand up wiping away the tears from her cheeks.

"Sorry" She let out quietly, wiping away her tears on her arm "Did Rufus radio you?" Ada asked looking at C as he nodded.

"He said you were crying and you seemed very upset over a man. He radioed me just as Cooper came looking for you"

"Fuck Cooper" Ada snapped "Fucking cowboy"

C chuckled "Yeah he said he fucked up. Seemed pretty worried about you"

"You better not have told him where I was C" Ada warned

"No. He was pretty pissed but I explained it was better if I cooled you off otherwise you might just kill him" C chuckled a little as he looked over to Ada seeing tears just rolling over her cheeks like a river "Rufus told me you were at The Kings but when he checked you were gone. Unfortunately I know you Ada. More than you know yourself. I know when you're really upset or contemplating shit you come here" C shuffled close to her as he wrapped his arm around her holding her. She was freezing cold, soaking wet but so was he.

"Did he tell you what happened?" Ada asked laying her head on C as he held her

"He told me some stuff...then he told me the full story because I refused to come get you if he kept bullshitting me" C stroked Ada's wet hair

"What did he say?"

"Well at first he said you were flirting with MacCready but I know that dude. He's all talk no bark. I know you wouldn't. You knew him since he was child" C paused

"He was flirting C. MacCready was. He said that I kept getting hotter while he kept getting older"

C burst into laughter as Ada leaned up looking at him a little confused. She punched his arm as he held his arm still giggling.

"So true though. You turning ghoul just aint fair Ada. You've looked twenty-five for like twenty years I swear"

"Look my skins already hardening. I won't look good forever C" C looked at Ada, his smile faded as his eyes met hers.

"Ada you'll always be beautiful. Always. No matter what you look like, human or ghoul. You're kind and just a pleasure to be around"

Ada smiled a little, C was being too kind to her and she didn't deserve it.

"However, did you flirt with MacCready? Yes or no?"

"NO" Ada said firmly "It was stupid C. We were talking about old times because Cooper wanted to know how we met" Ada sighed "MacCready hinted and me and Nora having a thing. And Cooper got all weird and annoyed and made out I slept with everyone I set my eyes on. He asked who I haven't slept with and I said MacCready. Making a point I don't sleep with everyone I travel with...MacCready overstepped and said there was still time. Cooper flipped out"

C just stared at Ada and she spewed what had happened like she was on fast forward.

"Cooper went to attack MacCready-

"So you shot him?" C quizzed

"No I shot him when him and Loretta were almost fucking in her office. That's when I pumped him with my shells" Ada was firm "Loretta is a fucking whore and Cooper entertained that. She was pretty much asking him to fuck her because she'd never had a ghoul C" Ada felt tears burning in her eyes as she turned back looking out at the view. Darkness shrouded the curves of land as the rain fell down, lightning flickering in the distance.

"Ah okay see now that makes sense" C nodded "He said Loretta made advances"

"Should fucking slice her up like she did her husband" Ada muttered

"Yeah don't do that. We don't need a strip war Ada. Fucking hell" C said as he turned on his pipboy. Ada watched over him as he flicked through the tabs on it. He came to the radio tab turning it on.

"Same time every night" He smiled as he turned up the radio on his pipboy.

'The end of the World"

"This is your happy song isn't it?" He smiled at Ada as she nodded. She closed her eyes. They both sat in silence as she listened quietly to the song, lost in the darkness of her own mind as she kept going over the moments in Loretta's office. The soft music always acted like a backing track to her life. Her fingers reacting, playing an imaginary piano as she swayed. Her mouth, mouthing the words as she stayed lost in her own world. She had learned to play it on one of the pianos in the casino but she didn't have that option right now.

"If I take you back, will you kill him?" C asked, she was pulled from the darkness of her own mind as she turned looking at C.

"Maybe you take my guns" Ada chuckled through her broken tears.

"Gotcha" He smiled turning around jumping down off the dam. He open his hand up waiting for Ada to take it to help her down.Ada took his hand as she turned around jumping down, her feet landing in a puddle. C swooped her in, holding her close as they made their way towards the entrance.

Chapter Text

Ada and C arrived back at the hotel, Ada shivering as the elevator doors opened. She followed C down the hall leading to her penthouse. Her wet hair clung to her as she walked shortly behind C. Her wet clothes clung to her skin as C opened up the door to her penthouse, he walked in, Ada followed. Her head hung low as she tried to avoid eye contact with Cooper. She took her shotguns from her holster handing them to C. C took them placing them on the table to his side as she looked over seeing Cooper staring at her. His hat on the sofa, he looked like he'd been crying. A cigarette in his hand, his trembled a little as he held the smoke. A sigh of relief escaping his lips as he finally saw her return.

"Found her at the dam" C said as Ada threw her jacket on the kitchen side.

"God I was so worried" Cooper said quietly, his voice broken a little.

"She's ok. Just a little bit emotional. She's promised not to shoot you" C said as Ada removed the knife from her belt handing it to C "And stab you apparently" C said as Ada moved past him.

"Ada" His voice was soft as she lifted her hand. She looked at him for a moment before ignoring Cooper. She turned moving into the bathroom slamming the door behind her. She left Cooper and C outside as she turned the shower on, she looked in the mirror at herself. She was truly a mess, you could see where she'd been crying ,the tear marks left stains in the dirt over her cheeks. She felt the steam coming from the shower as she took off her wet clothes. The gunshot on her shoulder on the mend as it began to harden. Joining the mass of hardening skin and lumps all over her skin.

Taking off her pipboy she laced it on the side, moving the pile of her wet clothes in the corner of the room. She opened the shower curtain up, stepping under the hot water. It stung against her cold sensitive skin as it warmed her. She stood there allowing it to warm and rain down all over her, before turning picking up a bar of soap. It had been long day and she was owed a shower. She ran the bar of soap between her hands until bubbles foamed, before rubbing it all over her body. She watched the dirt puddle between her feet as she scrubbed away the day.

-------------

Once showered, she got out wrapping a towel around her. Wiping down the mirror she looked at reflection. She looked cleaner, couldn't see where she'd been crying now. Only she could feel that in her eyes when she blinked they stung. She took her pipboy putting in on, clipping and locking it before opening the bathroom door. C was gone. Cooper sat on the sofa waiting. She wasn't in a relaxed position, he was sat just waiting for her to come out. She ignored him still, her eyes drifted to the table seeing her guns gone. Guess C took them to save Cooper from having to remove more shells.

She moved over to the fridge taking out a purified water, she needed to stock up again after crying so much. She turned and walked straight past him moving out to the balcony where she sat in her chair listening to the rain pouring down. The heavy pitter, patter sounds surrounding her as the Vegas gamblers went quieter and distant. It must have been real late, the sky was beginning to lighten to a grey as the rain still came down. There would be no sunrise today. She stared out at the mountains as Cooper came out quietly sitting down beside her. She let out a sigh as she saw him pull the chair closer to her, as he sat down beside her. She looked over at him and stared at him.

"I'm so fucking sorry" Coopers words fell out of his mouth. He watched as tears rolled over her cheeks, she looked away trying to hide her upset quickly wiping them away in a hurry. Cooper fell to his knees in front of her. His hands grabbing hers.

"Ada please" His voice was broken "Look at me. Talk to me. Fuck...shout at me" He took one hand taking out his pistol "Fucking shoot me. Kill me Ada cause I can't live with you looking at me like that" Ada turned feeling him push the pistol into her hands, she looked back down at him. Tears rolled over his cheeks.

"Coop...stop" Ada voice broke

"I can't Ada. You can't even look at me and when you do.." His head fell on Ada's knees "I can see the pain, the hurt I cause you" He sobbed, his fingers wrapping around hers.

"I'm sorry, I'm a fucking monster..."

"You're not a monster Coop" Her voice was soft

"I just...I am...I just got jealous...I don't even know what I was thinking" He looked back up at her, his grip soft as he held her hands.

"You wanted to hurt me Coop. You wanted me to feel how you felt" Ada voice broke as tears rolled over her cheeks. Her free hand pushed the pistol to the floor as her fingers finally wrapped around Coopers. Entwined and locked together. He looked up at Ada feeling he touch

"Exactly. I'm a fucking monster Ada. I would never..." He kissed her hands, holding them close to his lips "nothing happened once you left. I picked the shells out and chased you but you were quick. I thought you'd gone to the casino but you weren't there. I thought you were gone Ada" His desperate eyes looking up at her "I thought you'd left me Ada"

She stared at him, she listened.

"I get it Cooper. I do" She paused "But you need to remember I had a life before you. Not a great one but no one ever matched up to you Coop. No one. No one ever made me...feel. I managed to travel with them, fight by their side, sleep with them and still after all that I managed to leave them behind and move on" Ada explained as she held onto Cooper. His eyes gazing into hers as he listened to her cry and talk. He watched the tears roll over her cheeks as he lifted his hand, rubbing his thumb over her cheeks wiping the tears as they fell.

"I never felt pain. Never felt regret. Didn't shed a tear. I was cold, just like MacCready said. Fucking hell, I slept with C for years, I knew he wanted more and I still ignored that. Used him and moved on. I'm a fucking monster Cooper. I'm the monster. Then I met you. Its like you unlocked the part of me, I locked away when my father died. I didn't want to hurt anymore. I couldn't cry anymore tears. So I locked myself away Cooper until I met you" She closed her eyes dropping her head down in shame "I treated them all well. I wasn't mean, I just couldn't love them in the way they all wanted" Ada stood up moving past Cooper, she ran her hands through her wet hair as she moved into the living room. She paced back and forth.

"I could kill her Coop. She knew you were mine. EVERYONE KNOWS YOU'RE MINE" Ada shot a look at Cooper. Something changed in her, he saw the look in her eyes and she turned and marched into the bedroom. She grabbed a pair of shorts and a jumper throwing them on. Cooper followed her, but as he entered she left pulling the jumper over her head.

"Ada what are you doing..." Ada ignored his concerns as she moved over to the kitchen in silence she bent down opening the cupboard pulling out a knife. She gripped it in her hands as Cooper grabbed her by the wrist. The look in her eye was dangerous as she yanked herself free. She opened the penthouse door, storming past C who was waiting outside. She marched down the hall, pressing the button on the elevator.

"Too long" She growled turning around pushing the emergency exit behind her.

Anger.

So.

Much.

Anger.

She ran down the flights of stairs as Cooper and C both chased after her, calling her name. She gripped the knife in her hand tightly as she done laps down the staircase until she reached the bottom floor. She was tired but anger kept her powering on as she marched through the entrance hall of the casino. She pushed through the doors turning right on the spot. She marched through the rain as it began to soak through another set of clothes. Her bare feet stomping through puddles as she marched through the streets pushing gamblers from her way. She saw the sign for Freeside.

"ADA" C shouted from behind her. Both Cooper and C, chased after her but she was faster. A lot faster. She stood on the rough, cracked pavement as it cut and hurt her bare feet. She pushed on, ignoring the pain. Bloody footprints dripped into the wet puddles. The voices of Cooper and C were ignored by her as she came up to Loretta's. Manny showed a smile which faded quickly as Ada pushed her way through the doors.

"Miss Ada" Manny's voice was nothing to her. She was fuelled by something else right now. She marched down the stairs, pushing past people dancing, drinking, partying. She didnt care. Pushing her way through the crowd, pushing people over, other people spilling their drinks as she came up to Loretta's office.

She kicked the door once, twice, a third time the door smashed off the way. Feral mode was activated and in full swing as she came to a halt. Marty flat out on his ass from where she kicked the door down. Her glowing green eyes turned looking at Loretta as she had a dirty smirk on her face. Fury and anger spread throughout Ada. Her hands trembling with anger as she looked Loretta dead in the eyes. She pointed the knife at her.

'Only You by The Platters' Began playing outside in the club, loud enough to be heard in Loretta's office.

"The fuck do you want" Loretta laughed standing up, almost challenging Ada. Ada just stared at Loretta, she let the anger build until she couldn't handle it anymore. She lifted the knife running, Mac sat on the sofa still tied up.His eyes widened as he realised Ada was coming for him.

Ada brought her knife down, feeling it pierce his skin in his chest. Repeatedly stabbing him, over and over again. His chest softer and softer with each stab. Mushy, bloody skin. The blood spraying up, squirting over her. Blood covering her face, covering her clothes as she kept stabbing him over and over again. A loud growl escaped her as she bent down, her teeth gripping his throat as she ripped it apart. Her finger nails digging into his arms as she chewed on him like a monster.

C and Cooper rushed in and both paused on the spot for a moment as they watched Ada pull up from Mac's neck. She spat part of his throat across the room before slamming the knife down again and again. C rushed over pulling her off Mac's lifeless dead body. Ada resisting as much as she could. She was strong. Too strong for C as much a he tried.

"You see that" Ada screamed, the blood spraying from her mouth as she looked at Loretta "I pictured you with every fucking part of me. That was you" Her voice bellowed angrily as Loretta and she stood shocked in the corner of her room. Her hand on her chest.

"He is mine" She pointed to Cooper "If you ever look at him. You ever be in the same room as him. EVER. If ever see you even breathe the same air as him. I'll fucking kill you, I'll kill you and fucking eat you" Ada spat furiously "and I'll take your little business" Ada still resisted as she tried to get free from C grip.

"Fucking hell Coop wanna help" Cooper had a small smile on his face "What the fuck you smiling at" C demanded

"She's a little killa" Cooper said looking at Ada covered in blood. She was drenched with it "She said she was a monster"

"And you're proud of this?" Loretta looked at Cooper and C "Get the fuck out of here before I deal with her myself. I'll kill her and all of you. Have you hung on those fucking crosses like the scum you are" Loretta threatened

"I'd like to see you fucking try" Ada head butted C by mistake in her fit of rage trying to get free. He released her as he reached for his nose checking to see if she'd made him bleed.

"Fucking hell Ada. You still doing that shit" C gasped. Releasing Ada as she hurled herself over Loretta desk. Her hands reaching out for her. Ada launched landing on Loretta, her hands wrapped around her throat as the blood from Mac dripped on her. Her fingers choking Loretta as she tightened her grip around her throat.

"Cooper got a vial?" He looked at Cooper "Look you might be proud but if she hurts her. This is war. A war you not need while she's pregnant" C warned as Cooper nodded as he took the sachel off his back, he reached inside take three vials out as he took the tips off pouring them into a syringe.

The sound of Loretta choking filled the room, her fingers trying to claw at Ada. Ada's eyes widening briefly as the needle was injected into her neck. Her body went limp.

"Cooper grab her quickly and get her the fuck out of here. AWAY" C warned Cooper as he grabbed Ada. Her limp body in his arms as he ran out the room. C followed in a hurry. "We need to get her far away. Loretta is gonna send people after Ada. She won't let her get away with this" C's voice was becoming distorted and distant.

"Where the fuck do we take her" Cooper asked

"We'll decide that once we're off the strip. I need her pipboy to send a radio message to her two friends. Get them to meet us" C said taking the pipboy off Ada's wrist. The blood dripping from her.

Chapter Text

The sunlight shone in through the cracks of the shack. Dust particles filled the air. Ada woke rudely throwing herself over the edge of the bed she was laid on. She vomited onto the wooden floor. A groan escaped her lips as she threw up again. Her arms and head hung over the edge of the bed. She heard distant voices as she lifted her head up, she rolled onto her back again lifting her arm to avoid the sunlight. Her head pounding as she slowly leaned up.

She looked up seeing a bottle of water and an inhaler on the side shelf beside her. She groaned leaning up flipping her legs over avoiding the vomit puddle. She took the water washing her mouth out spitting it out onto the floor. She picked up the inhaler, she drew in a breath as she pumped the inhaler in with the breath.

She coughed and wheezed as it hit her lungs. A gasp of air and her haziness faded. She placed the empty inhaler down as she saw the blood on her hands and arms. She lifted her hands up staring at the dried blood. Her hands shaking slightly as last night flashed into her memory. Her head dropped down realising she was completely covered in blood. Her fingers ran through her hair feeling the strands stuck together with blood.

She stood straight up slowly backing up in panic, pushing her way through the door she stumbled outside seeing C, Cooper, Hancock and Nora huddled up talking. Dogmeat and Rex curled up beside them. They sounded worried and panicked as they spoke.

"We can stop a Novac. It isn't too far from here and then work out what next" C said quietly

"What about taking her back to DC for a bit? You guys could go to Megaton. It's a safe place" Nora suggested

"That's an idea. Would only take two weeks, maybe three or so to walk there. Loretta will take over the casino" C replied "everything will be gone"

"I don't want to go to DC. I left for a reason" Ada was firm "Plus the enclave will be there, most likely. We have to fight her. She's only got a couple of men" Ada spoke up as they all looked at her. They all looked fearful almost as she stood there covered in blood.

"Ada you're pregnant. I can't risk that. Cooper won't forgive me. It was nice while it lasted but we always said it wasn't forever Ada" C replied

"No this is stupid. We have half the strip on our side C. We can fight back. It's only her...what happened. I just remember...I was angry" Ada said rubbing her forehead as Cooper moved towards her.

"You went crazy Ada. You stabbed Mac so many times Ada. Fucking hell, then you ripped his throat out. It's not just Loretta, it's the Khans, she has raiders. We're screwed Ada" Cooper pulled Ada into his hold tightly as C told her what she had done the night before. Coopers fingers running through her knotted hair.

"you then proceeded to tell her that you wished it was her and then fucking strangled her Ada. Bitch almost died on the spot. I know she's a whore and she's fucking trouble but my god. Save that anger for when it isn't gonna bite us on the ass" C ran his fingers through his hair as Ada pulled back from Cooper.

"We have to fight for our home C. We have to" Ada pleaded with C as she moved towards him, Nora tapped Ada on the shoulder. Ada turned a little handing her some clothes.

"I picked those up for you. Thought you'd want a change in clothes" Nora smiled at Ada. A kind warm smile.

"What about diamond city?" C piped up "we could restart there. Sure it'll take longer but you have a place there Ada don't ya?" Ada looked back at C and nodded.

"We could use the brotherhood" Nora added "We're both knights, they'll protect us. We could get a lift with Vertibirds. Say we're needed in Boston for a meeting with Elder Maxson. We'd have to stop every now and then but it would make it quicker. Times against us. She's over a month pregnant. We don't have the time to walk it" Nora added "She'll be bursting by the time we get there, almost ready to pop if it's a quick pregnancy like you were told. It's how I got here to begin with" Everyone looked at Nora before each other.

Ada didn't want to leave. Not one bit but she knew C was right. She looked back seeing Vegas in the distance. The past ten years of her life had been there. A sadness filled her as Cooper rubbed her lower back. They were right though, Loretta was a problem. She'd easily take over, get the Khans involved. It would become messy with Mac dead. Ada looked back at everyone

"Fine. Massachusetts here we come" she said shrugging

"I know it ain't great, but we got two good vaults, Diamond City, Good Neighbour...if and when you go into labour there's a lot more options for you Ada" Nora said as she looked at Hancock and Cooper. Ada turned looking at the group. It was a messy situation she had gotten them into, but for once it was them helping her instead of her helping them.

"What about our stuff C? Our money?" Ada questioned

"I went back during the night while you slept, Cooper was waiting for Nora and Hancock. I got your guns don't worry" C chuckled " I got our money, we got about eighty thousand caps between us. I got all the drugs and vials. We should be okay" C said pointing to a few bags behind him.

"I guess I'll send a signal then?" Nora said going onto her pipboy. Ada looked and C and then Cooper. They both were looking at each other. She couldn't read them as much as she tried.

Ada turned around and leaned on a rock as Cooper lit up a smoke, Ada leaned just staring over at the Vegas strip. Her heart sank. She was filled with regret. C came over to her side looking over at her, she was still covered in blood on her skin but had changed into the clothes and thrown the others away.

"I fucked up so bad C. I'm so sorry" C shrugged looking over at Ada

"Eh its okay Ada, she's had it coming awhile. She's been screwing with people too long. You just gave her a warning and we always spoke about that fresh start. Taking over a new city" Ada shook her head chuckling a little

"Fucking hell C"

"Its true. We'll start a bar this time. Always wanted a bar"

"The casino had a bar C" Ada tilted her head leaning back against the rock looking up at the clouds passing by.

"Nah a proper bar. No casino...too much drama. You are gonna be that hot bit of ass behind the bar, always need a hot barmaid but we gotta hide that pregnant belly" Ada scoffed leaning up as she pushed him. He fell off the rock, rolling off into the desert sand, standing up he brushed himself down laughing "And me and Cooper, we'll do the business" C said coming back to Ada's side "What do you think?"

Ada leaned on her elbows thinking it over, she tilted her head looking over at Cooper. He shot her a small smile. Things hadn't been the same. She needed to really talk to him. They couldn't go on like this.

"Hello Ada?" C waved at her getting her attention.

"Fuck it. Why not. Lets do it C" Ada smiled at him and he lifted his hand up in the air. Air slapped hers into his. With that a deal was sealed.

-------

Hours had passed, nightfall had fallen. Nora had been told the brotherhood had sent a bird to come and collect them. It would take a few days but they had agreed to take them to Boston. Ada was sat by the fire, Nora and Hancock was off getting more fire, leaving Cooper and C with Ada. She almost felt like she was being babysat. Cooper sat beside her placing his hand on her leg. Ada stared at C trying to get his attention. He looked over at her while chewing on something he'd taken from a bag. It was impossible, he was too busy eating. Ada huffed and took Coopers hand leading him inside the shack that was behind them.

"We need to talk" Ada said closing the door behind them. Cooper stood in front of her.

"Ada baby, we're fine okay? Its just weird for me" Cooper said moving close to her

"What's weird? Is it because I ate someone, because turns out, its becoming a trademark" Ada admitted. Cooper chuckled taking his hat off.

"No my little kill, its not because you ate someone. In fact I found it a little hot but if anyone asks I'll deny it" Ada showed a cute, cheeky smile "But seriously, its the leaving part. I've lived here most my life. I've never left. I don't even know what to expect from Boston" Ada ran her hand up his arm softly, Cooper closed his eyes at her touch. It was like fire against his skin.

"Boston is nice. Greener. Nora has some great settlements. Sanctuary is beautiful. Nora lived there before the bar, they rebuilt. Diamond City is great, lots of shops. I have a place there. Nora saved someone but she didn't want it so she gave it to me. I also own a penthouse in Good Neighbour. Me and Nora, we didn't some bad stuff for someone and things went tits up and that's how we met Hancock" Ada chuckled "I would recommend staying at Good Neighbour though, Its Ghoul friendly" Ada explained as she looked at Cooper, she placed her hand on his cheek "C has a plan. He wants us to own a bar"

"A bar?" Cooper said, he didn't sound surprised more disappointed "I expected him to want something bigger"

"Same honestly but no just a simple bar. You two are the business and I'm the hot ass" Cooper chuckled a deep husky growl rumbled in his throat as he pushed Ada up against the wall.

"You are a hot bit of ass" Cooper growled as his lips traced over her neck, he didn't touch her. His hot breath sent goosebumps over her body "Now tell me something darlin'" He came up looking into Ada's eyes.

"Anythin" She whispered

"How did it taste"

"Eh I've had better" She teased "I love the feeling of blood all over me. I feel dirty and bad" she whispered as Coopers lips brushed hers softly, it wasn't a kiss just him hovering, ready to attack.

"What does it feel like...before to rip their throats out"He said heavily against her lips.

"I dunno something fires me up. I just got this animalistic urge to just rip her apart and I knew I couldn't, and he shot me so I took him out. Fucking wish I had now" Ada heard Cooper let out a low growl, she felt him harden below. A smile curving her lips.

"You are mine after all Coop. Seeing her pressed against you, I just wanted to push my teeth into her throat and rip her throat out for even being close to you. You are mine Coop. And I am forever yours" Ada voice as soft, but it was enough for Cooper. His lips finally crushed into hers. His fingers wrapping around her throat softly, not choking but a dominant hold as his lips took hers. A growl escaping him as his pressed his hardness against her, his lips owning hers. Ada's hand moved down, her fingers fiddling with his belt as he kissed her.

Her teeth pinched his bottom lip, a small taste of blood was exchanged between them both that oozed from Coopers lip. Adas fingers wrapped around his length as she started to rub. His head thrown back as she gripped his hardness. Within her hold, he was hers. With his head thrown back Ada dropped to her knees. Her hot breath against his length as her mouth devoured him.

"Oh Fuck" Cooper stumbled back a bit before her fingers wrapped in Ada's hair. His hand guiding her head at a pace he could keep up with. Her hot mouth sliding up and down his length. Her tongue gliding around his cock, taking every little bit of him. The shack began shuddering and shacking, they were here. That didn't stop Cooper. His hand stayed on the back of her head as he forcefully guided her, the pace getting faster and faster. Her tongue working magic around him as he begun thrusting his hips forward. The head of his cock hitting the back of her throat. a slight gag escaped her lips as he continued. The sound only turned him on more.

"Fuck...Ada" He panted "I can't" He pleaded "I'm gonna-

Cooper whined as he released into Ada's mouth. she bobbed her head slow, her tongue wrapping around him and she took his taste. She never gave head. Never in her life. It was her one rule. But in this moment it felt right. Cooper groaned, his cock twitched a little as Ada pulled back, wiping her mouth slightly. A naughty yet proud smile clung to her lips are she rose to her feet. Coopers eyes remained shut for a few seconds before he rushed her claiming her lips once again. A knock on the door behind them made them both jump as Ada smiled against his lips.

"You ready?" She whispered

"Oh sweetie, with head like that. I'll follow you to hell and back" Cooper moaned against her lips giving her lips another claim. Ada turned around, tying her hair up again into a ponytail as Cooper put himself away, zipping up his pants. She opened the door showing a smile, C welcoming her. Nora and Hancock loading up bird.

Ada stepped outside, Cooper and C walked over helping Nora and Hancock. Ada turned her attention to the distance, the Vegas strip glowing. A sad feeling sunk in her heart.

"Ada we're ready" Nora called as she looked back seeing everyone in the bird ready to go. Both dogs curled up, their paws hanging off the edge.

"See ya again one day maybe" Ada lifted her hand giving Vegas a small wave "Vegas you did not disappoint" She turned around walking to the bird, she grabbed the handle jumping up inside, sitting in one of seats. C placed his hand on Ada's.

"I know its hard but better times ahead" Ada looked down at Vegas as the bird went up in the air

"I know" She said quietly she watched as Vegas got smaller and smaller. The glowing lights of Vegas became a simple white hue in the distance.

Chapter Text

Two weeks later

West Virgina

Morgantown

'Country Roads' played quietly as Ada and Cooper laid in bed. The heat was hot, little pools of sweat collected on Ada's forehead. With a mix of walking and Brotherhood rides they had managed to get to Morgantown, West Virgina. Home to one of the controlled vaults. Vault 76. A vault that did celebrate, reclamation day. Little dwellers sent into the wasteland to rebuild, restart. Ada really wanted to go and investigate the vault but according to her pipboy there was no way back in. Even for a dweller. With all this on Ada's mind, she rolled over to face Cooper. He was sleepy, who could blame him. Ada struggled to sleep, her bump had grown, it was more obvious now but the heat made it impossible to sleep. In a huff she tossed back and forth until flopping onto her back.

"What was it like?" Ada's soft voice whispered to Cooper, the sounds of rain droplets hitting off the metallic roof.

"Hmm?" He moaned softly half asleep

"The day the bombs fell?" She rolled over again to see Cooper.

Cooper opened one eye seeing a hot, sweaty Ada suffering in the Appalachian heat.

"Terrifying" Cooper added "It was a beautiful day" Cooped leaned up taking his canteen of water handing it to Ada "Here. Need you both hydrated" He hinted at her and the baby.

"Nora told me it was scary. But she had a vault right beside her house she told me. Barely a two minute walk"

"Some were luckier. I was unfortunately in the Hollywood hill when it happened. At that point my career in movies was dead, and boy didn't people make it obvious" Cooper said saddened

"We don't have to talk about it" Nora leaned up taking some water from Cooper's canteen.

"Its okay. You asked. Little dwellers don't know the pain" Cooper paused " I had been hired by someone who once was a friend to be a cowboy for his little boys birthday party. I heard them talking about me, Barb had already spread it around that I hated America. Pretty much tabled me a communist"

Ada listened, looking over at Cooper as he explained. He upset and pain on his face broke Ada.

"Nuclear war, talks were high. Janey had asked me about the thumb thing" Cooper chuckled thinking back to his little girl.

"The thumb thing?" Ada said laying her head back down on the pillow.

"Basically, if the mushroom cloud appears larger than your thumb, you're in a dangerous zone and should evacuate. Although it most cases there's no point. You're pretty much dead. However if the cloud is smaller than your thumb you're ok. But no one was ever ok. They dropped so many. The entire town was covered. Bombs everywhere. I grabbed Janey, got on my horse and I took her to the vault I knew Barb was going into. Which was Lucy's future vault but clearly that wasn't the vault they would stay in" Cooper looked at Ada, pain in his darkened eyes "We only just made it, they let us in thanks to Barb. Closed the door. I relaxed thinking we were safe. I was stupid. Barb took Janey and the last thing I remember was Janey smiling at me, calling me daddy. Then darkness" Ada leaned on her elbow. The pain Cooper expressed, came across in his voice. His hand reached for Ada's as he held her tightly. His hand slightly sweaty. The heat was horrible and thick, thicker than Vegas. The rain pouring down outside had made it cooler but it still felt horrible.

"What did you do when you woke up?" Ada urged as Cooper looked over at her. Her innocence was one of the things he loved about her, she had this timeless expression on her face. Even as hot and sweaty as she looked right now. Cooper looked down placing one of his hands on Ada's showing bump. His lis pressing down against her skin. She felt the hotness beaming off him as he touched her skin.

"You don't have to talk about it"

"It was horrible. Hot. Hotter than this. Smokey and cloudy, you couldn't see bare a foot in front of you. Tripping over dead bodies in the street of those who didn't make it, the cries of those dying from the radiation. Some people just died, others it took hours, days. Those who did make it, mostly turned ghoul. Whether it was like me or feral" Cooper paused for a moment, Ada heard him sigh a little, remembrance was always the worst bit "It was like that for a week, then you could see the damage that came from the bombs. The city I loved destroyed. I remained normal for maybe a week or two, but the radiation was too high. I tried to find food and water and hide away but it seeped it everywhere that wasn't a bomb shelter, most of those were locked of open and damaged. I began feeling my skin melting away, it wasn't slow like yourself it was quick. It was painful, like someone skinning me alive. Within a month the Cooper everyone loved, he was gone. I remained" His head lay softly on Ada's lap as he stared at her baby bump, his fingers dragging and playing with her small bump. One of the little comforts life gave him. Ada and this baby were his safe place. However him and Hancock had gotten close as of recent. Travelling had given them time to get along more. Nora had been more than helpful and supportive to Ada and her pregnancy. Giving her tips and advice. He lifted himself up into Ada's eyeliner, Ada's glowing green eyes hooking him in like a drug.

"After a few weeks people started coming out of shelters. The vaults remained shut, a privileged lifestyle hidden away. It didn't take long for humanity to show their true colours. Factions began to build fairly quickly. People who had practiced and been in the army or war, they found old war gear. The Brotherhood of Steel took about twenty, maybe twenty five years to be fully formed after the bombs fell. Within fifty years they were one of the strongest factions, spread across America. They had all the good guns, food, they were strong" Ada propped herself on both elbows, Cooper helping her to sit up fully as she took more gulps of water. Coper made it sound more scary than living now. It was raw. She was surprised anyone had made it this far into the apocalypse by how Cooper spoke.

"Raiders, they didn't take long. Started as scavengers, just like many but the harder it got to find supplies they started killing. You go crazy from Hunger Ada. Small settlements burned to the ground, women and children killed, eaten. There were no rules. Fiends came shortly after, raising their own cannibal cults" A low fear bubbled in Ada's belly, a fear just like she felt the day she left the vault. Cooper, moved and repositioned himself and with his assistance, Ada managed to pull herself up, sitting with Cooper. They both looked out of the low cut window watching the rain fall as they slept at the top of a old church tower overlooking Morgantown. Nora, Hancock, C and the Dogs were asleep a few levels down, one of them most likely taking watch.

"Time has a way of making things worse. I miss the old days so much" Cooper said softly "You would have loved it. You would have been an actress by far. Your looks, your a drug. I can see you all glammed up hitting a red carpet" He chuckled glancing over at her

"Why, thank you Mr Howard" Ada put on a southern accent

"I'm serious. You would have had the world bowing at your feet. Most actresses did back then. It was a different time but you...I picture you, curvaceous, a red dress. Those long red curls, flowing in the hot summer California breeze, and overall glamorous look.Cameras dying to catch a photo of you. You would have been inspired by the classic femme fatale style. Movie style, would have been Noir" Cooper smiled over at her "You would have every man drooling over you, dying to be by your side. Every teen boy would have your picture on his wall"

Ada blushed, it was evident as the candle light lit up her face, her glowing eyes looked down bashful as Coopers fingers pulled her chin up. He wanted to see her blush in her glory.

"The silver screen would have adored you and you wouldn't have cared. You would be so proud and beautiful that no ones opinion would have mattered. You would never have sold your soul, although I would love to see you in a vault suit" Ada chuckled as she pushed Cooper

"Nope never again" She said quietly as she overlooked the rain droplets falling down, she lifted her hand outside, her finger tips catching and playing with the rain.

"How old are you?" Cooper asked as Ada shot him a look "Before the ghoul process hit"

"I was thirty when I first started to turn ghoul, but in real time I'm thirty-eight, born July 13th, 2258. I just slowly turn more and more ghoul now" Ada looked down at her pipboy. Reading 'July 13th' She didn't realise "Make that thirty-nine" She said looking up at Cooper

"Its your birthday?"

"Guess so" She showed him her pipboy "Happy birthday to the lone wanderer"

"Well happy birthday darlin'" Cooper pulled Ada close placing a soft kiss on her lips, a smile curving her lips.

"How old are you before the ghoul?" He pulled back slow looking down at her "Only fair" She said with a cheeky smile

"Forty-one" He said looking at Ada "Ghoul years, over two hundred and fifty odd. You stop counting" He said shortly. Ada tilted her head back to the rain.

"What would you like to do for your birthday?" Ada shot a look to Coop

"Nothing. I haven't celebrated since being in the vault" Ada said looking over at Coop "My last birthday was with my dad. I turned nineteen and it was a good day. He left three days later" Cooper looked at Ada as he lit up a smoke, looking at her, he could seeing the sadness in her eyes as she spoke.

"So over almost twenty years and you and C never celebrated?" He asked

"C tried. We had drinks usually. No parties. Just me and him and few drinks" Ada shrugged

"What would your father gift you? Inside the vault?" Ada chuckled at Coopers ask.

"Usuauly a sweet roll. A tasty rare treat. One birthday, I got my pipboy, another birthday my father and Jonas got me a BB gun, my father taught me to shoot. I guess he knew vault life wouldn't be forever. I was always getting told off for adventuring in parts of the vaults I shouldn't" Ada had a smile on her face as she lowered herself back into bed. The yawns catching up to her as tiredness finally hit her. Cooper pulled a blanket over her before getting in cuddling up beside her.

"Do you think your daddy would have liked me?" Cooper purred against Ada's lips.

"Hell no" She teased "He would be sad I found an old man to be my life partner" Cooper chuckled "No, he loved your movies Coop. So yes. He would have been proud of me getting you as a partner" She smiled as Cooper brushed his fingers over her cheeks. His soft touch relaxed Ada as her eyes fluttered shut.

Sleep finally consumed her.

----------------------

Alarms blaring.

The sound distant, getting louder and louder as Ada came slowly to consciousness. Ada groaning as her sleep was being interrupted.

Panic as she realised the alarm.

Ada shot up in bed, Cooper gone. She panicked hearing the alarm going off on her pipboy. Her eyes shot down looking at it. A flashing warning on her screen.

'Nuclear strike is imminent'

'Two minutes till strike'

Ada's eyes widened, fear bubbled in her lower stomach. This wasn't morning sickness, this was fear. Rain still pouring down outside, she fumbled grabbing her backpack before she climbed down the ladder of the church steeple. She went past each level.

C,

Nora,

Hancock,

Cooper,

Rex and Dogmeat

Where was everyone?

Ada lowered herself down to the lower floor of the church as she turned around on the spot seeing Nora in the church doorway. Her face lit up by the glow of her pipboy. She ran, seeing Nora going through her pipboy, also in panic.

"What the fuck is going on? Tell me this is a joke?" Ada said pushing herself through the doorway

"I don't know what the hell it is. Its not close though, its showing it on the hills. We should see it, but I think we'll be okay unless its something bigger. If its bigger we won't have the time to run" Nora replied in slight panic, still scrolling through her pipboy. As they both stood slightly shelled by the church, two people ran past them. They both had pip boys. Ada looked and Nora confused. They both chased the two guys down the dirt road a little bit, not too far from the church.

"Hey! Stop" Nora called out. The two people came to a halt and turned around looking at Ada and Nora like they were crazy. They lifted their huge ass guns up pointing them at Ada and Nora. Nora and Ada lifted their hands up showing they weren't a threat and had their guns still holstered.

"What? We don't have time" One of them responded. He had red spikey hair, bald patches in odd spots. He had a full set of Brotherhood of Steel armour. Ada and Nora both recognised it instantly. They defiantly weren't raiders otherwise Nora and Ada would be dead. A male and female. The girl wore an old prewar green dress, dirty and old. Self made armour covering her shoulders, arms and knees. Medium length black hair in ponytails each side of her head, dangling down over her shoulders. Both covered in dirt head to toe.

"Where are you going?" Asked Nora

"They're waking up Earl, we gotta go" The lady said tugging on her friends arm, desperate to hurry and leave.

"Otherwise we won't get in" The male friend added

"I need screws man. Someone nuked my camp and I can't fix some parts" The girl pleaded looking at her male friend. Ada looked and Nora, confused as hell. Both their hands still in the air. What kind of warped reality was this.

"Also why do you have pip boys?" Ada added to Nora's questions slightly confused, Nora nodded interested in knowing also. The rain pouring down, soaking them slightly. The two stood in front of Nora and Ada were drenched already.

"The pip boys. We found them on two dead vault dwellers. Suckers" The boy laughed nudging the girl. They both had a dirt eating grin on their faces, almost proud. Their eyes shortly dropping down seeing Ada and Nora wearing pip boys. Their shit eating grins fading.

Ada and Nora looked at each other real confused and unimpressed.

"Who is Earl?" Nora asked gently trying her hardest to get some form of a decent reply from the two.

"Hes an Wendigo Colossus, he lives in Monongah Mine" The girl tugged on the boys armour. They both ran off, heading up the dirt road leading to a hill, guns in arm ready.

"Fuck that. I ain't fucking with no more wendigo's. We already fought two since arriving in this fucking craziness. Let alone a colossus, it sounds big" Ada said looking over at Nora.

Hancock, Cooper and C finally caught up to the girls. Both dogs by their side as they all looked up at the mountain range ahead of them. Confusion fell over them as they all looked up, the timer on their pip boys counted down to 0. A loud whistling sound echoed through the air as they saw the small black dot fall from the sky. Ada covered her ears as the whistle came through. They all lifted their arms to cover their eyes as the bomb dropped onto the tip of the mountain range. A mushroom cloud plumed high as the ground shook and rumbled beneath them. It wasn't your usual nuclear bomb. The bomb seemed to only effect a small area. They all saw the dust disappear leaving a red dirt cloud above the mountain range.

"That's enough of West Virgina for me guys" Ada said looking over at her group "These guys are mentally unstable clearly. Setting off bombs" Nora scrolled through her pipboy, trying to get information. She was as baffled as anyone else.

"Vault Tec wanted this" Nora said as she scrolled, Ada shot her attention to Nora "According to my logs, the overseer left vault 76 before reclamation day, to find all three nuclear silos. They wanted to have full control of launching the bombs" Ada frowned at Nora "A few weeks later the vault opened, allowing all residents to leave, as permitted for reclamation day. The vault was locked back up, unable to be accessed again"

"See...unstable, I told ya. Problematic. Vault-Tec having access to bombs is-

"Shady Sands waiting to happen all over again" Cooper said

"Exactly. Warped" Ada looked back at the mountain range shaking her head "We need to head off guys. This place isn't safe" Ada said moving back to the church to collect her stuff.

Chapter Text

Three days later

Megaton, Washington DC.

Upon arriving at Megaton. Ada found herself exhausted, they had been walking for days. Little sleep here and there. The rush to leave Virginia a main quest. Megaton, hadn't changed much since Ada left. It was still its metal surroundings. Still had the small protectron robot circling it. A familiar past, haunting Ada throughout her time.

Ada found herself dragging behind everyone as they came up to Megaton's gates. The loud sound echoing, the metal clanging as the door began the process to open. She found herself glancing to her right to a small hill revealing that small brown door. Ada came to a full stop, before turning and walking towards it.

She climbed up the dirt mound, following the dirt path, Rex following shortly behind her. No one else had notice her vanish yet as she came up to the door. Look back she saw everyone crowded together as the door opened. She turned around pushing the door in front of her open, there in front of her was vault 101. Open.

She began her walk closer to the vault, her hands on her shotgun as she came up to the vault door. Nothing had changed, she climbed over the vent as she walked through the first door, seeing the steps climbing up to the Overseers desk. This was closed behind her when she left the vault nineteen years ago. She took the stairs handle and climbed up the stairs. She came into the overseers room. The computer screens still on, the green hue lighting the room, the only form of lighting. Ada turned around heading to the overseers computer.

𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱
𝗔𝗱𝗮 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗲𝗱 '𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮'
𝗪𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 -
𝗛𝗶𝗻𝘁 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗿'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲.

A smile curved over Ada's lips. Amata survived. She wasn't killed by her father, she became overseer of the vault. Ada was so happy to know her friend was still alive. She was proud of her friend, but intrigued as to what had happened for the vault to clearly be abandoned. Ada bent down typing her name into the password bar. A loud bleep opened the computer, a menu bar dropping down as she scrolled down to Lighting.

'𝗟𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗼𝗻'

Ada clicked a few buttons turning the power onto full mode. The lights flickering on around her, a low whirring sound vibrating as the hallway lights turn on. She bent back down scrolling down to notes, she scrolled down to the final day. She needed to know what happened. Was her friend dead. Did they get attacked. Why was the vault abandoned.

𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝟮𝟮𝟰𝟴

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲.

𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀. 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗱.
𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝟭𝟬𝟭.
𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲. 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻
𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗳𝘂𝗹. 𝗪𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁, 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻.
𝗪𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝗻, 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘁𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱
𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲.
𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗹𝗼𝗴.
𝗜 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀.
𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗯.
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘀.
𝗔𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗺𝗲.
𝗜'𝗺 𝘀𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘂𝘀.
𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.
𝗜 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗶 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂.
𝗬𝗲𝘀 𝗶 𝗴𝗼𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱, 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗻. 𝗪𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺
𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁.
𝗪𝗲 𝗳𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁.
𝗪𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗴𝗼.
𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿.
𝗜 𝗱𝗼𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱, 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗲.
𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹.
𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗴,
𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹
𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻.
𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝘂𝗻 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.
𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱.
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮. 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻.
𝗜'𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿.
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗮 - 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳𝗳

Ada leaned up, tears blurring her vision as she straightened up. Amata left. They all did. She was somewhat proud of how good Amata was. She had became a good overseer from what she could tell. She would check in Megaton and see if she could find her, but for now. Memory lane. Ada moved past the table heading out of the overseers office. A smile that hung on her lips faded as she moved down the halls of the vault she once called home. Her fingers trailed over the vault walls, posters still hung. Supportive little reminders of how dwellers should act and do.

This vault haunted her dreams, as she came across the medical room. She stood in the doorway of the room. A ghost haunting her, once a room where her father attended those who needed his help, now a dusty shadow. A chair pushed under the desk. An empty picture frame on the desk with a clipboard. She moved inside sitting down on the medical bed. A smile curving her lips as one of the last memories of this room flickered into her mind. Her eyes closed as she saw her father, smiling down at her.

'You seem well. Are you sure you're not scared to do the GOAT' His voice a ghostly haunt of someone she once knew. She could still feel his soft and warm touch. The smell of soap filling her senses. She reopened her eyes, a small sigh escaping her lips. She brought herself up to her feet leaving the room. The atrium doors just opposite her. Her head tilted as cold spark made her shudder. The silence echoed. It didn't feel like it had been abandoned for so long. She could still smell the baking smell coming from the kitchen. Wendy always made the best cakes and deserts, her husband always cooking great Mac and cheese.

'Home'

She turned looking to her right seeing the sign leading to 'Quarters and School' She followed the signs down two flights of stairs. The vault had surprisingly been well kept. One of the best she'd seen. No bugs, no raiders. How odd. She came up to the school first. Her head peering around the open door. The lights flickering a little as she stood in the doorway. An American flag hung proudly on the far wall. Another wall full of paintings and drawings. She stepped inside, getting a closer look at the drawings. Old and dusty now.

The board in front of her written, 'Best drawings of The Lone Wanderer'

She tilted her head. One last memory in case she did return. Amata was truly a sweetheart. The drawings showed rough lines and colouring showing Ada, wearing a blue vault suit, a little brown dog beside her. Some included dead bugs by her feet, red colouring smudged across the paper. Others showed a big orange coloured mushroom cloud behind her and her dog. Her fingers brushed over the drawings. A smile owning her lips, as a tear dropped to her cheek.

'The Lone Wanderer keeps us safe' was written on one bit of paper. She was a hero down here. A hero to many. Something she had forgotten and lost many years ago. She turned around looking at the desks in the room. Many memories flooded back. Many times had she been bullied by Butch here. Many times had she passed exams. The GOAT telling her she was going to be a scientist. Proudly running back to her room to see her father. Telling him she would be like her mum.

She found herself trailing her child steps running to her living quarters like she would to find her father. He would have been sat in the corner at his desk. Reading usually. A picture of her mother, pregnant and her dad beside her. In another frame a photo of child Ada, no more than six maybe seven and him. The pictures still sat on the desk, but an empty chair remained.

"Here we are. Where it all began. You remember your mother's favorite passage? Revelation 21:6. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life, freely. Don't you see? This is what it all means. The water, the purifier. THIS is the water of life. Your mother's dream. No point in wasting time. Let's get to work. There's much to be done."

She looked around the living quarters, hearing his soft voice as he spoke to her as a child. She turned into the bedroom seeing two beds, still made and empty. Amata had kept it empty. Preserved. Ada moved over to the desk as she picked up one picture frame, her fingers brushing off the dirt revealing her mother and father. She slid the picture out of the frame, followed by the one of her and her father. Ada pulled her backpack around and slid both photos in her backpack. She turned back to the table, seeing a holotape covered in dust on the table. She picked it up blowing the dust off before she pulled up her pipboy, pushing the holotape into the slot. She pressed play hearing his breathing. It had been so long since she heard him. So long since she heard this tape.

"Hold on Jonas, I need to record this for Adelaide" He paused, she could hear his breathing. Heavy while he tried to think of how to word it

"I don't really know how to tell you this. I hope you'll understand, but I know you might be angry. I thought about it for a long time, but in the end I decided it was best for you not to know. So many things could have gone wrong, and there's really no telling how the Overseer will react when he finds out. It's best if he can blame everything on me" He paused, she could hear some movement in the background, hurrying and metal clanging "Obviously, you already know that I'm gone. It was something I needed to do. You're an adult now. You're ready to be on your own. Maybe some day, things will change and we can see each other again. I can't tell you why I left or where I'm going. I don't want you to follow me. God knows life in the Vault isn't perfect, but at least you'll be safe. Just knowing that will be enough to keep me going"

(Don't mean to rush you, Doc, but I'd feel better if we got this over with) Jonas said In the background

"Okay. Go ahead" Her father responded to Jonas "Goodbye. I love you." Her fathers voice replied talking back to Ada. (The sound of vault door opening in the background)

The holotape stopped as her fathers 'I love you' hung haunting her eardrums. She flinched as she heard a noise behind her, instinct she grabbed her gun turning around she aimed it, seeing Cooper behind her. He lifted his hands showing a smile.

"You scared me" Her voice was soft, as she lowered her gun.

"Who was that?" Cooper asked, as the holotape came to a pause

"My father" She said quietly. Her voice dry and broken "The day he left the vault. I must have left it here in a hurry. How much did you hear?"

"Most of it" Cooper said softly as he looked over at Ada, knowing how much it must be tearing her apart "Are you ok?" Cooper asked concerned looking at Ada, a short nod followed as she turned off the tape. She kept it inside the pipboy. One last reminder of how he sounded. A reminder on a sad day of the family she once had. She gulped, holding back her tears as she looked around the room. She headed over to the drawers. The drawers still full of sealed vault-tec suits. She took one out, placing that in her bag. Cooper worried for Ada, watched her move around.

"This was my vault" Ada said as she turned looking at Cooper "This was my room. My father he slept there" She pointed to the far bed "And I slept here" She pointed to the closest one. She turned back to Cooper "My friend she became overseer. She left for Megaton awhile ago now" Ada said looking around. Cooper had no words. He just watched as Ada relived her childhood.

"I hope she's still there" Ada said looking back at Cooper. He simply smiled.

"Only one way to find out sweetheart" He finally said as he held out his hand for Ada to take. Ada looked to him, her hand touching his as he wrapped his fingers around hers. Her eyes falling on the framed sign in the corner of the room. She let go of his hand, pulling away she moved across the room grabbing the frame.

"Revelation 21:6. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life, freely."

She stared down at it thumbing the dirt from the glass. A teardrop falling on it with a smile curving her lips. Cooper moved behind her, looking down at the frame.

"Was my mothers favourite quote" Ada's voice broke " My dad use to quote it to me all the time. 21.6 it the code for project purity" Ada looked at Cooper "If anything happens to me. You have to keep project purity going. Keep it pure Cooper. Keep them alive"

"I think that's enough memory lane for today sweetheart" Cooper tugged on her

"Promise me" She was firm as she looked at him. Her glowing eyes staring into his

"I promise. 21.6. Project purity" Cooper repeated "See I got it" He pulled Ada close laying her head on his chest. His fingers brushing through her hair as he cradled her.

"Where are the others?" She asked against his chest

"Seeing if there's any food or anything useful here" He said quietly calming her as he stroked her hair.

Chapter Text

Back Megaton, they stepped into Moriarty's Saloon.

"Did you really disarm that bomb?" Hancock looked at Ada asking her. They had just come across the famous Megaton bomb. Still had the children of atom freaks bowing to their god surrounding it. Ada came in last, as Hancock stopped looking at her, awaiting a reply.

"Yes...I disarmed it" Ada said with a smile "I was meant to a scientist after all" She said proudly as she followed Cooper. Each taking a stool for them to sit on.

"That thing was huge. No wonder they wiped the earth clean" Hancock had never seen one before and remained shocked and surprised. Ada to her own surprise found herself sitting in the same stool she use to sit in, many years ago. Megaton had not changed a single bit, Moira Brown still owned Craterside Supplies from what she'd heard from Lucas Simm's son upon entry. Lucas Simm was taken ill, and was in the infirmary. She had never met his son. Harden was a kind and sharp as his father.

Ada sat down at the bar, trying to log into computer records that scattered throughout Megaton, trying to get some information. It had been almost twenty years since she was here. She just wanted the lowdown as she scrolled through many different logs until she came across a log from Moira quite recently.

Date: 07.15.2297

Welcome, MOIRA. It is another lovely day for science!

DAILY LOG:

Experiment Reports:
Irradiated Agriculture—Good response from mutfruit, strangely aggressive response to baseline sample. Purified water very helpful.
Deathclaw Communication—No language that I can discern, unless "Mutilating assistants" counts. What would they have to say, anyway?
Jeffersons Water Purifier - A great use of water for us and the town. Guaranteed clean water whenever you go in the Wasteland. Thank you Lone Wanderer. Its nice going down there and seeing what amazing work her father did. With the information she gave me, I'm in the process of building one but with hot water here in Megaton. With. a few spikes we should get hot water soon.

Personal Note:
Just shipped out another crate of survival guides, and the caravans just can't seem to get enough of them. Sheriff Simm's says they've really put Megaton on the map—pretty ironic, since I've had to redraw that map about a million times since the first edition came out 20 years ago. At least all the attention means there's no shortage of assistants, but I'm never getting another assistant like the Lone Wanderer who stumbled into my shop so long ago.

Just about everyone in Capital Wasteland the has a story about the Lone Wanderer, even though precious few ever really knew her. But that doesn't stop them from telling crazy tall tales about how she saved their lives, or blew up a mountain, or ate a car or something. Heck, if you get Simms drunk, he'll tell you that his dad died because of the Wanderer, even though she saved our town. People can't even agree on whether the Wanderer was a man or a woman, much less a saint or a monster. But they all agree on one thing: the Lone Wanderer changed the Capital Wasteland.

Of course, that's why I'm working on the new book, compiling the best and most useful tales of the Lone Wanderer for the next generation. It's not easy sorting out all the conflicting stories, but that'll be half of the fun for the readers. More importantly, between all of those crazy stories of bravery, barbarity, and everything in-between, we can all find a reason to keep on fighting our war for survival.

I guess some things never change, huh?

Moira - Signing Off

Ada was nudged from her side as she looked up from the pipboy seeing the first ghoul she had ever met standing in front of her with a crooked smile. Her eyes widened, a smile spread across her lips as she realised who it was. Ada practically climbed over the bar, reaching out she landed on her feet smoothy. Her arms wrapping around him.

"Gob!" She exclaimed happily, cuddling the ghoul. A low chuckle escaped the usually grumpy man.

"Well hello stranger. Been too long" He said with a low chuckle. Ada pulled back "See you caught yourself a tough of the ghoulish side" He hinted at her eyes, before taking note of her company "Travelling with two ghouls too. I always knew you were an good egg" He said almost proudly

"Hey when you first met me, you almost bit my head off. Even though id never seen a ghoul before" Ada added. Cooper and Hancock both looked at each other. Another ghoul to add to the mix. She knew exactly what they were thinking.

"I haven't slept with him guys" She added as Gob looked at Ada shocked.

"Haha no smoothskin would sleep with me ghoul" Ada bit her lip and looked at Nora. A smile exchanged between both girls "Oh you both...well I'll be damned you really do like ghouls" Gob said a little shocked "Anyway what can I get you guys?" Gob asked

"Bourbon" Cooper requested

"Whiskey" Hancock and C both said in agreement, a chuckle coming from them both as they fist bumped each other.

"Bottle of wine" Nora said as everyone looked at her "What? We've been walking for days. First rest. I'm gonna let my hair down" She said with no shame.

"I'll have a nuka cola" Ada was last to put in a request

"You sure. I'm pretty sure I remember you shotting back whiskey all night with that big green fella of yours" Gob asked

"Well you're not wrong. Me and Fawkes" Ada smiled at the memory Gob had reminded her of "But no, I am expecting so, no alcohol" Ada said with a sad tone.

"Well congratulations Misses A. And who is the father? God not the green guy please" gob almost pleaded

"This wonderful cowboy" Ada pointed to Cooper sat beside her, Cooper tilted his hat as Gob stared him down.

"But he's a ghoul..."

"Yes and I'm turning into a ghoul It was a weird mix of radiation and chemicals. It was a beautiful accident. I'm due in about three months roughly" Ada said

"Well honestly I'm happy for you smoothskin. You've done so much for us and this Capital Wasteland you deserve it" Ada stopped and thought for a moment about what he said. It was always a nice reminder to be thanked for all the work she had done over the years.

"You should pop in and see Moira before you leave. She writing again. Doing another guide but about you. She's putting all your stories into a book. She's been writing about travelling with you but would be good for you to tell her your other stories. Its been a long time Darlin," Gob said pouring out the drinks for everyone. Cooper wrapped his arm around Ada showing her a smile. A proud smile.

--------

A few hours had passed, Cooper, Hancock, C and Nora were tipsy as always. Ada watched as C, he was leaning on his arm, his eyes heavy as he kept dozing off. They were all exhausted. Hancock and Nora both, beyond drunk dancing together. Their laughter filled the room. Cooper yanked Ada off the stool as he spun her around. Her hands landed on his chest as she looked up at him with a smile on her lips.

'Lets Go Sunning' played over the radio as Cooper took Ada's hand, a happy slow dance exchanged between the two. The song ended and the sweet sounds of The Wanderer came on.

Cooper put his fingers underneath Ada's chin and lifted it up.

“Keep your eyes fixed on me sweetheart and I'll guide you.” He purred. Ada blushed and obeyed keeping her eyes on his.

Cooper kept Ada close, as he spun her around. She was wearing a short blue dress. Something she had changed into before coming to the Saloon. Her dress skirt spun with her, the wind catching it, making her skirt dance. Cooper hands landed on her waist and she settled her forearms around his neck, sending a bashful smile and looking up at him through her eyelashes.

Cooper dipped Ada to the ground, he stared down at her with a smile.

"I'm gonna have to ask you guys to leave" A voice demanded as Ada tilted her head back, her eyes opening seeing a pair of legs standing in front of her. Cooper brought Ada back up to her feet.

"Excuse me?" Ada said turning around. A smile spreading across her lips "Amata?" She said unsure. She was a little older, her hair was longer, more bushy. She wore a blue dress that finished below her knees. The woman returned a smile.

"Long time no see Adelaide" She winked at Ada. Ada wrapped her arms around Amata bringing her in for a tight cuddle. She was so happy to see Amata was alive and looking so good. A man and young woman stood behind her. Cooper moved beside Ada. He grew interested as he saw cuddle the stranger.

"Who is this?" He asked, his voice low as he caught his breath from dancing

"This is Amata. The girl I was telling you about. She became overseer at vault 101. We were best friends" Ada said with a huge smile "She helped me escape when my dad left" Amata nodded along "I thought your father shot you? I couldn't feel a pulse"

"Yeah, blood loss was pretty bad. They didn't declare me dead. After you left, they came to take my body down to be burnt but they found a light pulse. Rushed me here, to Megaton. I was here for a few weeks. The doctor here saved my life Ada. Not many can say they survived a shot to the head" Ada turned around grabbing C, half asleep he stumbled while Ada held him up. She pushed the fringe of hair up from his forehead that hid a scar.

"C, he's known as the Courier in Vegas. He was in the head. He survived" Ada said showing pretty much everyone in the room C's scar. C simply smiled. Cooper raised an eyebrow as he gazed at the bullet scar on his forehead.

"Holy shit dude. You never said" Cooper was amazed

"Eh its not something you brag about" C said shyly

"I fuckin would. A bullet to the brain. Both of you. Holy fuck Ada you can sure pick your friends" Ada chuckled

"I'm glad you survived Amata. I'm guessing this is you're family?" Ada looked behind her.

"Yes!" Amata said happily "This is Harry my husband. He was a trader for Rivet City. And our Daughter....Adelaide-May" Amata looked to her daughter "This is who I named you after" She pointed to Ada. Ada simply lifted her hand, giving a short wave.

"The Lone Wanderer?" The young woman asked

"That would be me" Ada gave a limelight kind of pose. A playful reaction that earned a giggle from the girl

"Is it true you took on three deathblows and a behemoth?" She asked Ada

"A long time ago...and I had some help. Definitely didn't do it solo. Kinda rolled up and helped" Ada admitted honestly

"Awesome" She replied. Ada extended her hand out to the man.

"Its a pleasure to meet you" Ada said to Harry, Amata's husband.

"The pleasure is mine. I've been hearing stories about you since I was a little boy. You saved my mother once, she was pregnant at the time with my little sister. She had been captured by raiders and was a slave. You freed her and many others. I'll never thank you enough" Harry kissed Ada's hand over and over in pure happiness.

"Honestly its okay. It was my job. I protected those who needed it" Ada paused in thought trying to think back "Where was she being held?" She asked Harry.

"Tenpenny Tower" Ada stopped and paused as she looked down at Harry "You destroyed it. You blew it up. You saved so many people that day and killed that trash" Cooper, Nora and Hancock looked at Ada. A story she had only told C.

"Tenpenny was a bad man. I killed him myself before I blew the tower up. I made my choice. I released the slaves. Killed the mercs" Ada said lowering her head, she remembered it all too well.

"Don't be sad" Harry said softly "He did bad things to those women. You saved them from torture" Ada looked up, the others reactions turning from shock and surprise "He was a sick man" Harry added "You guys should be proud of her. Anything she did, she always chose the better option possible. It was Megaton or Tenpenny. She picked right"

Ada still to this day knew she made the right choice.

"Can I ask how you killed him?" Harry asked Ada. Every eye in the room fell on Ada waiting to know.

"I slit his throat" Ada replied "He was pouring me out a drink, he was planning on sleeping with me. Being young, fresh from vault. He had a thing for dwellers.I watched him pour out the drink. I had hidden a knife in my boot. I took it out and slit his throat and pushed him off the balcony" Ada admitted in front of everyone. Her past haunted her too much "I'm sorry I need air" Ada said, pushing past Cooper and Nora heading out the door. The air from the wasteland hitting her, soft raindrops falling on her as she gasped for air.

Chapter Text

Ada found herself standing outs Moira, just standing there. She felt a bit overwhelmed and tired. Thinking back to everything she had done. While lost in guilt she had decided to go and talk to Moira about the stories of the wasteland. She stood in the rain just staring at the door, every part of her splitting different directions. Go in or go back to the bar. Shaking her head she drew in. a deep breath. She pushed the door open to Craterside Supplies. The dry warmth hit her skin as she looked over seeing Moira, Moira peeked up, glasses on the end of her nose.

"Can I help you?" She asked, Ada wasn't surprised Moira didn't recognise her. She had changed a lot.

"I think we use to know each other? You sent me on a bunch of crazy ass missions to create a magazine" Ada said tilting her head with a smile

"ADA!" Moira gasped taking off her glasses, she ran over to Ada bringing her in for a hug. A tight one at that "My god it's been so long. Three-Dog stopped talking about you when you left the wasteland. He never got updates" Moira said pulling back from Ada. A smile spread across Ada's lips. It was nice to be missed. It filled a gap she didn't know needed filling.

"Is that a baby bump I feel?" Moira looked down, her hands instantly pressing against her bump

"It is" Ada said with a smile "I saw you needed help with some stories. If you're free" Ada said shrugging slightly with a smirk

"Hell, yeah I got time" Moira said. She moved behind you locking the door "We're closed for the day" She chuckled. She hadn't changed much. Still looked the same as she looked all those years ago. Red hair, smooth skin, blue eyes. She was beautiful as always.

"Come...come" Moira said leading Ada out the back rooms. Moira had a computer and pad on a desk, almost like she was expecting Ada "Do you need a drink?"

"I'm okay. Been drinking most the evening. Knowing this baby, I'll be peeing all night" Ada chuckled. Moira sat Ada down on the sofa, lowering herself in front of Ada. She took out her notepad and pen.

"So, you're willing to do a fair bit of talking?" Moira asked

"Uh sure. I guess so. What stories are you wanting?" Ada asked, getting comfortable. She kicked her feet up onto the sofa, leaning on her side to face Moira.

"Well, I know everything here. I need Boston onwards" she said with a soft smile. Ada's eyes widened.

"That's a lot of information" Ada laughed nervously "Uh, Okay. Boston. I went there with the brotherhood. I'd just been knighted. We were told of a situation involving synths. Robot type people. There was a faction, known as the institute. They'd been taking people off the streets. Kidnapping people and turning them into synth spies. I was sent there to destroy them" Ada paused, trying her hardest to think all the way back to then.

"I actually ran into another vault dweller there, and her companion. She was prewar"

"Oh really? A prewar dweller" Moira was surprised

"Yeah. Nora. She and her family was frozen the day the bombs fell. A mercenary working for the institute unfroze her. Kidnapped her baby and shot her husband before freezing her again. She woke up not too long before I met her. She was travelling with a ghoul John Hancock" Ada leaned up taking a bottle of water of the side. She was getting more and more thirsty with the talking.

"I ended up travelling with them for a bit. Helped her. Eventually we found out her son was running the institute. Nora decided their fate. They were destroying too many people. She decided to blow them up. Me and Hancock travelled for a bit; we had a fling." Ada stopped "Don't have to add that bit" Moira chuckled looking down at her pad as she wrote.

"Anyway, me and him, did some random stuff here and there. We saved some settlements before I decided my time in Boston was done. I had helped Nora find her child. In the process, the institute had been wiped out. I had helped her set up settlements. I built the plans to my father's project purity. Gave Boston's Commonwealth clean, purified water. We did good things. A good job. Saved so many people. She's actually here with me now and Hancock. We'll get to that story" Ada chuckled "Anyway I took my leave. Made my way across America with the Brotherhood again. I took my leave with them in Vegas. I decided to make my own path" Ada looked down with a smile

"What's that look?" Moira asked

"It was my best choice. I ended up meeting C. The Courier. He's an amazing man. He deserves the world" Ada said a little sad "He got shot; I met him shortly after all that. He owned a fair bit of the strip. I walked into one of his casinos one night. Caught his eye"

"Sounds like love" Moira said a little excited

"Obviously I said no at first" Ada smirked a little thinking of that night. How she caught C's eyes. He couldn't take his eyes off her all night. "Anyway. I was scavenging a few days later. I stumbled across a raiders post. Who did they have tied up" Ada said shooting a look at Moira

"Your guy?" She said a little excited

"Yup. Beaten to a pulp. I shot them all, saved his ass. Fixed him up. He was too smitten. We slept together. Next morning I'm waking up and he's begging me to stay. Be his companion in crime. Told me I could have my own casino. It was an adventure I hadn't done yet" Ada shrugged a little "So I stayed. A year or two later we ran into water problems. I was trying to bring project purity to Nevada, but I needed a water chip. So, I went to a nearby vault. It was full of radiation. I took Rad-X. Radaway. Apparently, it wasn't enough. After a few hours I started feeling ill. Really ill. I didn't make it back that night. C came looking for me. I had serious radiation sickness. Doctors tried to cure but they couldn't. With a year my eyes were glowing. Was becoming a ghoul. twelve years later. I'm still waiting. I stayed in Vegas. Became a bounty hunter until...two people came into my part of town" Ada stopped and gulped down water. Moira took off her glasses rubbing the lower edge of her nose.

"What is it like?" Moira asked Ada looking at her, she was hinting at the ghoul side.

"It hurt to begin. It was painful the first few months. I could barely leave bed; I was high most of the time. Lost in a haze. I barely remember C coming in to feed and water me. He'd pump me with drugs before I'd even notice he was there" Ada spoke soft

"How did you know he was there?" She asked Ada

"I remember his smell. He always smelt like bourbon or whiskey. Some type of strong drink" Ada smiled "Then one day, it just stopped. One day I couldn't feel much. Could cut my skin and it healed pretty quickly. Now it hardens" Ada bent down pulling the skirt of her dress up showing her legs. The easiest part to show. Moira leaned down, her fingers brushing over the hardened looking skin.

"It feels melted" Moira said as Ada lowered her skirt.

"Yeah, that's one word for it" Ada mumbled

"So, the two people that turned up?" Moira got back and sat on her seat; she saw the subject had made Ada feel a little uncomfortable.

"Well, one of them I'd end up marrying" Ada said with a smile

"The father?" Moira pointed to Ada's bump

"Yeah. He's a ghoul too. He's over at the Saloon now" Ada looked down at her bump "He changed my life. Changed me" She ran her fingers over the bump "I can take you to meet him if you like?" Ada asked Moira

"Your man?"

"Cooper. I think you'll be interested. He was the prewar movie star Cooper Howard" Moira paused turning behind her, she took a few pieces of paper off the wall revealing a poster. Cooper with his dog. Ada stood up looking at him, a smile curved her lips.

"Oh yeah that's your man. Look at that smile. I love his movies!" Moira said watching over Ada

"Yeah, that's him" Ada agreed "Want to meet him?"

"Does a dog bark?" Moira responded. Ada laughed taking Moira's hand leading her outside.

--------------------------------------

Ada walked into the bar, Moira following behind her. She found Cooper, Nora, Hancock, C and Amata and her husband and daughter sat around a table. They all turned hearing the door open. Ada and Moira stood still feeling like a light was on them. Cooper rose to his feet to see if Ada was ok.

"Thats him" Moira piped up "Cooper Howard!" She pushed Ada out of the way, the wall catching Ada for support. Moira rushed Cooper "I'm a huge fan" Moira said As Ada moved past her sitting on C's lap.

"I'm so tired" she whined, Moira fussing all over Cooper

"You're okay with this" C raised an eyebrow.

"She harmless. Just a fan" Ada mumbled, her eyes heavy as she fell back, her head falling into Hancocks lap. Ada now spread across C and Hancock. The odd snore coming from her.

"Oh bless her. She's shattered" Nora chuckled

"I'm not shattered. I'm beyond exhausted. When did we sleep last?" Ada asked

"Oh god" Nora leaned back on the corner chair "Almost two days. Those tunnels were horrid. No sleeping in the metro" Ada pointed at Nora

"Try going through them at nineteen. Cheap ass pistol. About twenty bullets. No meds. Looking for your daddy" Ada chuckled.

"Wouldn't do it sober...maybe drunk or high" Hancock added "Definitely not solo"

"You already did it though" Nora said looking at him

"Not alone or sober" Ada burst into laughter at Hancock's response.

"He ain't wrong. He's never sober and rarely alone" Ada chuckled poking Hancock under his chin.

"Those fingers are asking to be bitten off" Hancock warned with a flirty smile

"Eh, not the first bite I've received" Hancock blew a kiss down to Ada with a wink. Ana was beyond tired, words just fumbling out. She leaned up a little seeing Moira talking Cooper's ear off. Cooper looking at Ada's in desperation. Moira was talking poor Coop's ear off as Ada slid off C and Hancock's lap swerving onto the chair beside C. She picked up C's glass with C slapping her hand away instantly. Ada gave him a shocked look as she took the nuka cola.

"Ouchy" She said taking a sip from her cola.

"You need to go save him Ada" C said

"Eh little bit longer" Ada chuckled leaning back watching them talk

"God Ada his eyes are crying to help" Nora said over the music. Ada smiled hearing 'Stand by your man' playing over the radio.

"Or we can dance" Ada stood up grabbing C's arm "Please one dance. I love this song. I'll save him after I promise" C rose to his feet.

Ada always had a plan to keep Coopers attention. She pulled C close to her as they slowly swayed to the song. C looked over Ada with a smile on his lips. His hands fell to her hips as they slowly moved together. One hand moving up brushing the hair from her eyes.

"I need to tell you something Ada" C said moving his fingers between hers, he dipped her back gently before pulling her back up. His hand on her hip, their bodies close.

"Mm?" She hummed

"Me and Nora" C began, Ada glancing up at him with a smile

"I know" She said before he could say anything

The song on the radio finished changing to 'Dolly Parton - I will always love you'

It seemed oddly fitting for the moment.

"I've known awhile C" Ada said laying her head on C's chest.

"How did you know?" He asked a little surprised

"She never left after you two kissed at the wedding" Ada leaned her head back up, a small, kind smile "I knew then but you decided on our next location together. She was willing to follow you and you were willing to follow her. I knew for sure then" Ada looked C in the eyes. Her head tilted as she looked into his eyes "I'm happy for you C. I truly am. You deserve the world and I couldn't give you that. She can" Ada placed her hand on C's cheek "I found my happy place. You found your happy place. You will always. ALWAYS" She repeated firmly "Be my best and closest friend, you're one of the few I never walked away from" Ada meant every word she said

"Thank you" C whispered as he placed his head on Ada's shoulder. A

"What about Hancock. Thought him and her were a thing" Ada questioned

""He's in too" Ada raised an eyebrow "Nice. A little throuple going on" Ada chucked

"And you're okay with it?" C asked nervously

"Of course C"

"You'll always be my number one Ada. I'll always fight by your side till my last goddamn breath" he whispered as Ada felt a tap on her shoulder. C smiled releasing Ada from his grip, one hand spinning her around to face Cooper. Cooper smiled down at Ada as he took the place of C.

Ada from her side eye saw Nora get up and dance with C. Her eyes dropped to Hancock who was smiling proudly at Nora. Cooper set his fingers under Ada's chin turning her attention back to him.

'Fools Rush In' played over the radio.

"What was that about?" Cooper quizzed Ada as he pulled her body closer to his swaying gently with her. Ada looked back at C and Nora.

"They are together" Ada said with a smile, turning her attention back to Cooper "I knew already. He just wanted me to know"

"How did you know?"

"I'm not blind Coop. They kissed at our wedding and she never left. I knew then"

"What about Hancock?" Cooper said

"He's in on it too" Ada looked up at Cooper, a dirty smile crossed his lips.

"Really?" Ada nodded. Cooper let out a low, husky chuckled "Lucky man. Got himself best of both right there"

"Lucky Nora" Ada teased Cooper "Both very giving" Ada purred as he shot her a look as she blew him a kiss.

"Oh well we gotta change that haven't we" He scooped Ada up into his arms carrying her out of the Saloon. Ada took out the keys to the apartment she owned here, as Cooper carried her up the pathway to her door. She fumbled in his arms but got the door open successfully. Forcing his way in he placed her on her feet. Slamming the door began stripping aggressively. Ada ran up the stairs, reaching the top. She undone the dress she was wearing, allowing it to drop to the floor revealing no panties.

She heard Cooper growl as he climbed the stairs like an animal. He grabbed her by the waist, pulling her up. A smile across his lips. A dirty, naughty smile. Wrapping her legs around his waist, Ada melted into his needy embrace. His hungry kiss claiming her lips. She lifted her hands to take off his cowboy hat, eagerly slid her tongue across his.

"I'm gonna fuck you're brains out vaulty" Cooper growled as his hand clamped her throat, squeezing until her breath stuttered. Ada's eyes rolling with a mix of defiance and bliss. Ada raked her nails down his chest, drawing blood, and he growled.

Hunger filled Cooper as he pinned Ada against the wall. His hand still around her thoat. Cooper pinned her legs clamping around his waist, and drove into her with a thrust that shook the wall. “Fuck, Ada, you’re so tight,” he rasped, voice raw as her heat gripped him, pulling a shudder from deep within.

She keened, nails gouging his shoulders, urging him deeper, and he gave it, pounding into her with ruthless rhythm. His teeth found her collarbone, biting until she yelped, her body clenching harder around him. “Tight as fuck,” he growled again, hand tightening on her throat, feeling her pulse hammer as she gasped, teetering on the edge. She fought back, scratching, biting his jaw, power play sparking every time she pushed against his dominance.

With his cock drilling into her snug pussy and his mouth moved from her neck, feasting on her nipple, Ada couldn't help it. He had thrown her over the edge. She quickly came, her juices soaking his cock and her body shaking with convulsions and intense pleasure. One more brutal thrust, and he shattered, his teeth clasping her nipple, a little blood was drawn he stood there for a moment. Trembles vibrating throughout his body. He held her in his arms like she was the most precious jewel to exist.

Chapter Text

Two days later

Megaton far behind them.

They had arrived in New York City. Ada had never seen the city from the ground, she'd only flown over it. The buildings were taller than California, destroyed but nature had taken a part and it had become overgrown. The summery smell of grass fluttering through the air. Ada's legs sore, wobbling as they walked. They'd been walking for almost fourteen hours. They were all exhausted and pretty low of supplies. Cooper had given Ada his last vial. He hasn't been himself for a few hours now. She looked over at him pretty worried. The heat had them all dripping, looking fairly moist, the vial wearing off. Ada found the ghoulish hunger growing within her. An angry hunger. She let out a small growl, getting the attention from Nora.

"We need to stop" Nora said slightly concerned "I know a settlement, its close. I'll be able to contact the Brotherhood from here. Get Maxson to send a bird" She was firm as she took out her pipboy locating the settlement on her map.

"We're okay" Cooper coughed

"She isn't" Nora pointed to Ada, Cooper looked over to Ada. Ada had stopped a few steps back, leaning over what was left of a sign. Her breath shallow, husky. Rec laid by her side, occasionally licking her hand. Soft whimpers coming from him and Dogmeat in concern. Ada hurled herself over violently vomiting. Morning sickness mixed with the vials were doing a number on her body. They all felt terrible for Ada. Unable to help.

"The further into this pregnancy she gets, the more vials she's going through Cooper. She needs stability. Shes on five vials a day. You're on one. This baby is draining her. Quick. The walking aint help. She needs stronger doses. She'll only get that from a doctor, daily doses a that too" Nora pinpointed the settlement on her map. Nora walked over, placing her hand on Ada's lower back.

"Ada's honey can you make it a little further. About an hour and we'll be at a settlement. I'll send a radio signal for the brotherhood from there to pick us up"

Ada nodded, her pale complexion a concern for Nora. Nora began walking, Hancock following. C remained at the top of the hill looking down at Ada bent over, hands on her knees as he breathed deep breaths riding out the queasiness. She took a few moments for herself before stood up firmly, she took a bottle of water from her backpack. It felt light. Too light. She shook it hearing no response. Unscrewing the lid she tipped it out. A few droplets remained. A sigh escaping her lips as she watched the few droplets drip from the canteen.

Cooper walked over to her, handing her his canteen.

"Drink sweetie. I've been using it sparingly for you" His voice was soft as he rubbed her back gently. Ada's glowing green eyes looking up at him like a thankful god. She unscrewed it desperately pouring a huge amount into her mouth, rinsing before spitting it out getting the taste of vomit from her mouth before drinking a few gulps to refresh her. She let out a gasp for air, the taste of water had never tasted so good.

It took her a few minutes but she pulled whatever remained sane within her, that could together and followed Cooper up the hill. Her legs weak, her stomach unsettled. She missed Megaton already but she knew a comfortable bed waited for her in Good Neighbour. That was one of the few things that kept her going through the never-ending hell the past few weeks had to offer.

-----------

They had finally reached the small settlement. They waited out the front of the big gates, with guns pointed at them. Cooper growled under his breath unhappy about the situation they were in. Especially guns pointed at his pregnant wife. A woman came out of the gate, two men each side of her holding up guns.

"Who are you? We don't allow ghouls. Your friends will have to go elsewhere" she shouted from beyond the way

"General of the minutemen from Boston ma'am" Nora spoke up loudly. The space between Nora and the woman closing "These ghouls are my friends and they are welcome wherever I see fit to welcome then. We shown no racism to ghouls" Nora stood firm

"Oh I'm so sorry general. We wasn't aware of your visit" The woman was apologetic

"Yeah sorry. We're coming from Vegas. Been a hell of trek. Three weeks walk. I'm heading back to Boston with my group here. We're needing to use your settlement for refreshments, a doctor for my friend here. She's mid-term pregnant. She needs some vials and to be looked over by a doctor. I also need access to your radio to contact the brotherhood of steel for a bird" Nora was firm, strict and to the point.

"Of course General. Lets get your friend in quickly and we'll have one of the best look her over" Cooper took Ada and led her past the woman, they both glared at her. The woman gulped seeing both ghouls, followed by Hancock head inside. Cooper flicking his smoke to the dirt. A short blond lady came to Ada, a warming smile on her lips.

"Hello, I'm the wife of the doctor here. I'll take you to the doctor" Ada and Cooper both followed the woman. It wasn't far into the settlement before they came up to the remained of what was once a hospital. Holding the door, Ada and Cooper stepped inside.

"Honey, we got a pregnant lady here. She's seeking treatment" the woman turned back to Ada "You'll be in safe hands with my husband. He is also like yourselves. A ghoul. He'll look after you honey" The woman said guiding Ada and Cooper into one of the side rooms where her husband welcomed them.

"Evening M'lady" The ghoul welcomed Ada "I see you've met my beautiful wife Annie. I'm Luther. I'll do my best to help you. What's the problem?" He got Ada up on the bed, Cooper stuck to her like glue.

"She's almost three months pregnant, we've been walking for the past few weeks from Vegas. She's up to five vials a day to keep the feral at bay" Cooper explained "Sickness, is a lot more frequent"

"Well... miss.." He looked at her

"Ada. Ada Howard" She smiled. It felt good to say it out loud like a proper wife.

"Ada. You're looking awfully good. How far in to the turn are you?" He asked

"About fifteen years" she replied

"You're doing mighty well. The vials help?" she nodded in reply "Good. Good" He said moving over to his cabinet. "I can offer you both quite a bit of vials. We rarely get ghoul. I have my own supply. So I can cover you both but first I would like to check you over if that's okay? You and the baby. Would you be okay if I performed an ultrasound"

Ada looked at Cooper concerned

"Its okay miss. I've used it before, many times for many pregnant women here. They all had healthy pregnancy. Their children grown into fully grown adults working here now. Its perfectly safe" Luther reassured Ada.

"O-Okay" she said nervously

"Have you had many checks?"

"No. Only when I found out. Nothing since" Ada said quietly

"Any movement? Kicking? As you probably know, human-ghoul pregnancies are quicker. You should be experiencing some kicking or movement"

"Movement. Yes. No kicking as of yet" Ada said softly

"Well expect it. Expect it soon' He chuckled as he turned on the machine beside Ada "The sickness, do you pass out? have any feral episodes?" He asked as he typed on his computer.

"I have previously yes. Is that normal?" She asked Luther

"Yes. Very much so. The baby, like any normal baby is taking from you. The vials are washing through you. The hormones are more extreme. So having feral episodes are normal when balanced with the vials. Untreated episodes will lead to full feral transformation and you will lose the baby Mrs Howard" Luther explained "You've handled it very well" He turned towards her lifting her white dirty shirt up, revealing her bump. Cooper let out a defensive huff. Ada grabbing Coopers hand tightly as Luther squirted some gel onto her stomach.

"Now lets see what's going on in here" He said pressing the scanner onto her stomach, he glided it back and forth over her stomach. He was slightly heavy on the push but not too uncomfortable for Ada. The room sounded with the sound of rushing heartbeats.

"Ah there we go" Luther said as he came to a good spot revealing the baby within Ada "Good growth. She's looking strong. I would say maybe two months more and you'll be full term. She's really healthy"

Ada looked at Luther

"I'm sorry. A girl did you say?" Ada stuttered. Shocked and surprised Coopers grip on Ada tightened.

"Yes" He pointed to the screen "No penis. She's grown pretty well, a penis would be visible at this point. A healthy baby girl"

Ada, fully weeping, looked at Cooper, a tear rolled over his cheek as he stared at the screen seeing the baby on screen. His eyes darted to Ada as he bent down pressing a kiss to her forehead.

"I'm so proud of you sweetheart" Cooper whispered "A baby girl"

"I know" Ada said as Cooper pressed his forehead to Ada "A little girl" She wept.

Luther coughed

"Sorry, I just need to check you now Mrs Howard. Just some bloods I can test right here and some fluids" Luther smiled as a tearful Ada turned back to him. She nodded as he took out some needles from the side.

Blood taken and checked, Ada sat on the bed, two IV's in her wrist. Fluids to rehydrate her. Luther turned and injected Ada with a triple dose of the vials she usually used. He packed up two cases of vials and passed them to Cooper.

"Keep them safe. In these parts they are gold dust. Settlement doctors usually have plenty. And usually have the ingredients to make more. In the wasteland. A rare find, unless its some black market style" Luther warned "Keep her safe. Pregnant women, highly valuable on the black market" He continued "Other than that I think you're free to go Mrs and Mr Howard. And I wish you a healthy pregnancy and labour. Start thinking of names. It'll come sooner than you think" Luther chuckled

"Thank you so much Doc" Cooper said, a rare thanks given.

Ada nodded in agreement as Luther took out the IV from her wrists. Cooper wrapping himself around Ada tightly. So proud of the woman he married. A second chance at life and a happy ending.

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Cooper had gone to find the boys, leaving Ada with Nora. They were wandering around an makeshift clothing shop. A few items and armour for sale. Nora had contacted the brotherhood via the radio and was waiting for a response from them. Ada wandered looking at the clothing. A smile clinging to her lips as she looked around.

"What's that smile all about?" Nora asked peeking over at Ada

"We're having a girl" Ada said looking at Nora

"Oh my god! Really?" Nora's face lit up

"Yep. Saw her, heard her heartbeat. A beautiful little girl" Ada started crying on the spot as Nora rushed to her wrapping her arms around her.

"That's wonderful" Ada nodded "And everything is all healthy?" Nora asked

"Yeah. He thinks I have about two more months before I'll be giving birth. she's growing good though" Ada said as she took her backpack off, she took the water out taking a few sips. Upon putting it back in, she saw the vault suits she grabbed from her vault.

"How would you feel about pranking the boys" Ada said with a cheeky smile

"How so?" Nora questioned watching Ada pull out two wrapped vault suits

"Oh you wanna play vault dweller" Nora chuckled

"Coop was saying he wanted to see me in one" Ada chuckled before heading to the changing room behind them.

Ada looked herself in the long standing mirror running her hands over the smooth blue material. Ada pulled her hair back into a ponytail. Had been over twenty years since she wore a vault suit. It clung to her curves, complimenting her well. Nora appearing behind her with a smile on her face.

"I don't remember them being so tight" Nora said pulling the suit out of certain places

"Sorry, can't say they don't have sex appeal" Ada laughed

"Boys are gonna have eyes on us" Nora laughed

"Eh, at least you have a nice figure" Ada looked back at the mirror, sideways her pregnant belly was very obvious

"Hey, enjoy it. Bask in the glow of motherhood. Its one a few rare beauties this world gives us and what I got to experience, little it may have been...I loved every moment" Nora gave a heart warming smile at Ada "Plus I've seen how Cooper looks at you honey and he loves this look on you. That's your baby girl in there Ada. Cooking and looking forward to meeting her mama and daddy" Nora had been amazing throughout their travelling.

"Would you do it again?" Ada asked Nora. Nora chuckled

"Me and C have discussed it. I know he wants one. I said if all things go well, maybe. Heck Id love a second chance" Nora said looking at a shelf full of baby grows with 'I love NYC' written on them.

"You ever think its weird we never use his name?" Nora said making Ada laugh

"Eh he never liked his name" Ada replied taking a pair of sunglasses from the side

"Noah?" Ada raised an eyebrow at Nora

"I always liked it, but he preferred just shortening Courier. Real unique. Not been done before" Ada's tone was sarcastic. Nora laughed slightly.

"I like Noah"

"So do I" Ada agreed "But he never did. Even when we did stuff, I always had to call him C. Got to the point where he allowed it and it just felt weird. Even he agreed it felt weird. " Ada admitted as Nora watched over her. At least Ada and Nora could talk about this stuff without it being awkward. That was two guys they had in common. "Girl talk was always fun and a nice break away from reality.

"Lets go show the boys" Nora said, as Ada slid on her sunglasses.

"Lets do it" Ada led the way walking out the store. Her combat boots crunching glass beneath their boots. The three boys sat on a bench with the dogs. They jaws dropping as Ada stepped out, Nora following her.

"You boys know where we can find some protection?" Ada placed her hand on her hip was a sassy tone.

Cooper rose to his feet moving close to Ada, he circled her like she was prey. His fingers brushing over her suit softly.

"I think its a little too late to be asking for protection sweetheart" Cooper whispered into Ada's ear. She could feel his nails dragging over her vault suit. The desperation to rip it off curled under his nails. She felt him grip the clothing above her ass. A low growl escaping his lips.

"Hope you guys are settled" A Minuteman walked over to the group of them "We have had word from your brotherhood. They should be here anytime now, so make sure you've got anything. You'll be in Boston by nightfall" The woman said politely.

"Thank you Lauren" Nora smiled

"Anytime general" Lauren nodded to Nora. Rumbling shortly followed, as a vertibird flew in over their heads. Ada looked up, seeing the huge bird fly over their heads. Cooper grinding up behind her.

"Keep it on" He growled in her ear "So I can rip it off later" His hot breath against her ear, sending tingles down her neck. A short nod came from Ada.

"Anything for you Mr Howard" She purred softly as the bird landed in front of them.

"Lets get going guys. My bar is calling for me and drinks" Hancock chuckled lifting Rex, then Dogmeat up onto the bird, him following, jumping onto the bird, Nora and C already seated.

Ada turned looking at Cooper.

"You ready to see home?" Ada tugged on his coat a little

"I'm ready for my life with you gorgeous" Cooper placed a kiss on Ada's lips before gently pushing her towards the bird.

Boston here we come.

Chapter Text

The glow of Good Neighbour flooded over the gang as they stood in the doorway. People welcoming Hancock with a warm welcome. Cooper stayed back behind Ada, he saw her light up the moment she stepped inside the place. A warm feeling bubbling inside her. The last time she was here, she was leaving Nora and Hancock behind ready to hit Vegas. Just her and dogmeat.

Welcomed by the warm glow of the lights that lit the shops in front of them Kill Or Be Killed. Daisy's Discounts. A smile clung to Ada's lips remembering all the times she'd bargained with both of them to try and get a lower rate on guns, ammo, meds. All of it. Her attention grabbed by an old face drifting by, welcoming Nora with a warm welcome. A face Ada could never forget.

"Nicky!" Ada peaked around Nora, popping her head out "Nicky Valentine!" Ada pushed between Hancock and C, wrapping her arms around her favourite synth.

"Well if it isn't Miss Ada. Long time no see" He chuckled, his voice soft "Last time I saw you, you were bidding me farewell swapping me out for this guy" Nicky pointed to Hancock

"Hey, can't help it. All the the smoothskins want some rad sickness" Hancock said moving past Nicky "I'm gonna get a drink. Meet you guys down there?" Hancock saluted them. Nicky turned his attention back to Ada.

"How was Vegas? That's the last I heard about you." He scratched the back of his metallic head

"Kept busy. Did she stuff you defiantly wouldn't approve of" Ada replied. Nick chuckling

"Oh I don't doubt that. Its good to see you Ada. Don't be a stranger always needing help cracking cases. Stop by some time" He said in a soft and kind tone "Going to head back to Ellie now. Only came here to drop in to the memory den for a touch up" Ada wrapped her arms around the friendly synth

"It was good seeing you Nicky" Ada said cuddling him. A low chuckle escaping him.

"You too. Like I said. Don't be a stranger" Nicky pulled back "Good to see you Nora" He looked over at her, tipping his hat.

"I'll be over to the city tomorrow. I'll pop in" Nora said waving off Nicky. Ada looked back to Cooper. He gave her that all to knowing look. Nicky moving past them heading out. Cooper catching her eye once again.

"No. I haven't" Ada shot back "God damn. Not like we all didn't try"

"Damn shame too" Nora agreed looking at

"We all tried" Ada shrugged

"I got close...thought it was about to happen but all I got was a lousy thank you" Nora scoffed. Ada took Coopers hand.

"I'm going to show him where home is" Ada said with a smile

"Ah enjoy Coop. Right above the bar. With a balcony too"

"Always love a view" Ada winked at Nora, leading Cooper past her.

"See you in a third rail later for drinks?" Nora shouted

"Of course! See ya in a bit" Ada turned, leading Cooper to the side door.

-------

Ada led up up a few flights of stairs, the place smelt a little damp and dusty. No change there. The old paintings hung wonky on the walls, guards pacing about.

"Is it always this guarded?" Coop asked a little concerned

"Yeah. Hancock lives below. Got to protect the Mayor" Ada turned at the top of the stairs watching Coop follow her up. She showed a smile, turning on the spot pointing to a red painted door. The paint faded slightly. She moved over to the doormat, bending down she pulled it up revealing a house key. She pulled it off and bent back up. Cooper's eyes on her ass with every movement. Her vault suit complimenting it perfectly.

She unlocked the door opening it up, a huge open plan welcomed them. A kitchen on the left. A living room, near the balcony with a record player. It reminded her of her Vegas set up. She never realised how much she based her penthouse on her home here. She turned and flicked on the lights. The whole room lighting up as she moved inside. She moved across the room opening the balcony doors to air the place out. It smelled dusty and old. No one had lived here in years but Hancock had kept it clean. She appreciated that. The hold out that she may have returned to the place she called home for awhile. Turning around she saw Cooper admiring the place. The red painted walls, black carpet. The room had a almost victorian theme.

"Not a bad place" Cooper smirked at Ada

"Home now" Ada said proudly. Cooper moved to the record player, he brushed through her records. His hands selecting one record.

'Moon River' the soft strums of guitar filling the room as he moved over to Ada, a cheeky, hungry smile on his lips.

"Hello my little dweller. Now I see a big bed through those doors begging to be broken in" Coop purred. His fingers tugging through her hair, tilting her head back gently so he can nip at her throat.

“A sexy innocent vault dweller. You shouldn’t have left the vault missy” Ada giggles when she feels his hard cock press against her baby bump, and she reaches down to rub against it with her hand.

“Oh but sir, they dont teach us anything in a vault” Ada purred “What is this hard thing here” Ada whispered in a innocent tone playing along. Cooper groans and disengages quickly, leading her into the bedroom. Cooper spreads her out on the bed and climbs over her.

“Your tits look fucking amazing in that vault suit. Bet they look even better with it off. Permission to show you how we fuck in the wasteland missy?” he almost demands, his hands gripping her vault suit. Ada giggles at him, a little feral Cooper tears and rips the vault suit from her skin. There would be no using that again for sure. Arching her back, her naked body on display for him. Her breasts tantalizingly so he’ll play with them.

“Would you like to titfuck me?” Ada purrs. Cooper’s jaw drops and he nods eagerly. Ada props her head up on a pillow and spreads her legs. Cooper kneels between them. “I haven’t done this before” he says quietly.

“Not even with-

“Not even with” Cooper snarls against Ada’s neck before he nibbles. Ada licked her hand and wrapped it around his cock.

Pumping him a couple times before tugging his hips forward. She pressed her breasts together and looked up at Cooper with a sly grin. As he slides his cock between her breasts tentatively at first. His mouth falls open at the sight as he slides back out, then in again.

“Let me lick your cock while you’re between my breasts,” Ada begs.

“Jesus Christ, Ada,” Cooper pants. He more than happily obliges, letting his cock linger at the top of her breasts long enough for her to suck the head before he slides it back out. They get into a rhythm after a couple minutes.

Cooper groans and throws his head back as he snaps his hips harder.

“Cum for me, Coop,” Ada begs, “Cum in my mouth.” Cooper’s eyes pop open and he stares down at his Ada, groaning loudly as he cums in her eager, open mouth. She swallows happily and smiles up at him.

Ada pulled him down and crushed her mouth against his. With his lips crushing hers, one hand moves down, gliding over her baby bump. A growl escaping him.

He desired her more than ever in this state. His fingers reaching down to play with her pussy. He groans when he feels how wet she is. Ada whimpers quietly.

“You okay, sweetheart?” he asks. Ada nods her head. Cooper groans. He slips one finger inside her tentatively and kisses his way down her chest. His lips brushing over her pregnant belly.

Cooper slips a second finger inside her and rubs against her g-spot, stroking her clit with his thumb.

“That’s it, my pretty little thing, cum for me.”

He pulls his fingers from her pussy and sucks them into his mouth, shutting his eyes and moaning.

“God, I missed how you taste,” he growls. Ada trembles as he opens his eyes and looks down at her with animalistic lust.

He lies down on top of her, bracketing her head with his arms, and bites her lower lip. Ada squeals and wraps her legs around his waist, her arms around his neck.

“As much as I want to eat your sweet pussy,” he murmurs against her lips, “I need to be inside you, Ada. All you do is tease me. Just existing teases me”

Ada whines into his mouth and nods, thrusting her pelvis upwards. Cooper reaches down and guides his cock towards her center. He inserts just the tip at first, keeping his eyes locked on Ada’s. She whimpers and tightens her grip around his neck. She nods up at him and he thrusts inside her fully.

Ada throws her head back and cries out. Cooper kissing her deeply to swallow her moans. He fucks her slowly, gently, rocking his hips seductively as Ada meets him thrust for thrust.

Cooper begins to rub her clit frantically. Ada moaning into his mouth as she feels another orgasm approach. “Cum again for me, you dirty vault dweller. Might just keep you” he growls in her ear. She clenches around his cock with a yelp.

Ada cries out as she cums, gushing all over his cock. Cooper lets out a growl and snaps his hips harder. She pushes her ass backwards against him.

“Please Coop, please” she whines “Fill me”

“Ada...FUCK....” Cooper gasps and goes rigid, pumping her full.

“Fuck, Ada,” Cooper chuckles. He sweeps her hair over her shoulder so he can kiss her neck.

Ada wiggles her hips against his and clenches around his cock. She purrs happily. Cooper grins at her before capturing her lips with his. He slides his tongue into her mouth and reaches between her legs to stroke her clit.

“Fuck, Ada, seeing you pregnant with my baby,” Cooper growls “It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. I’m so grateful for you and everything you’ve done for me. You’ve given me a second chance a life Ada” she murmurs. “I don’t have the words to say how much I love you.”

Cooper pulls her closer for a deep kiss.

“You don’t have to say it because I feel it, Coop” she whispers against his lips. “I feel how much you love me. I hope you feel how much I love you” Ada said softly as Cooper curled into her, cradling her pregnant body. His hands roaming over her stomach, he flinched. Ada popped her head up, looking down at her stomach.

"Uh.." Coop pointed at her stomach "You felt that right?" He asked looking at her

Ada nodded feeling another sharp kick. Cooper chuckled placing his hands back on her bump relishing in the kicks his baby girl was giving off.

"Does it hurt?" he asked

"No. Not at all. Feels like..." she thought "Butterflies" she giggled. Cooper moved up her body placing a kiss on her lips hungrily. Proud of his beautiful wife.

Chapter Text

Two months later

Ada was showing a pretty big bump was obvious. Five months and counting. She had her legs kicked up on the bar as she sat drinking a ice cold nuka cola. Her fingers running over her pregnant belly, the baby girl within her kicking about. Hancock had been a delight and given her and C the owner rights to The Third Rail. Saved restarting from the ground up. It was a quiet night as they all sat at the bar. Ada the only sober one in the house.

She spun herself around on the chair. Nothing had come back on them. No word from Loretta. It had been a relaxing and calm life. A little too boring. Ada craved excitement. She'd had no ghoul outbreaks, no ripping anyone apart. She'd been calm. Too calm and bored. The soft sounds of Cooper strumming on the guitar. She loved listening to him play, so did the baby. She always kicked. Cooper had gotten real good at playing since being here. He either went bounty hunting or played guitar.

Life had been so much better in Boston. It was pretty much the perfect life.

"Ada what do you think" Hancock asked, She tilted her head, looking at the guys upside down

"What do I think of what?" She asked, her ponytail hanging down the back of the chair

"Who do you think would win in a fight Hancock or Cooper" Nora asked. Ada pulled herself up, spinning the chair around

"Coop" She pointed at him with her cola bottle.

"Why?" Hancock choked as Cooper burst into laughter

"Pay up" Cooper laughed

"No. Why Cooper?" Hancock demanded

"You're too soft Hancock. Like too soft. You're a people pleaser but Coop I've seen him shoot men just for giving us a dirty look. Being a pregnant ghoul, screwing another ghoul gets some dirty looks" Ada shrugged " Have you killed someone just for giving you a dirty look?" She asked Hancock

"Well no...but that's because my choices have actions. I'm the fucking Mayor Ada"

"I'm aware"

"Such bullshit. I could take you" Hancock mumbled downing a shot

"Guys I need to do something. I need excitement. I'm so bored of being pregnant" Ada whined spinning around on her chair again.

"I have a bounty you could help with" Nora suggested

"Nope. No bounties" Cooper slammed his hand on the bar "She's heavily pregnant. I aint having her get shot. Look at how big she is. She ain't dodging no bullets" Ada let out a whine.

"I NEED FUN!" She called out spinning around on the chair again "I don't care what. I just need fun. I haven't left this town in over a month" Ada begged as she kept spinning around "I'm going to lose my fucking mind before I have this baby. I'm due anytime now and my last bit of fun was coming here. Cooper hasn't let me out of his sight since and if he has gone somewhere he's had me babysat by C"

They all laughed at her

"Oh poor Ada she aint getting shot at" Cooper mocked her as C came over holding a bunch of glasses. He lowered them down on the side, before putting them on the shelf above him.He squeezed behind Ada, her stomach really taking up a lot of space as she didn't make any effort to move out of his way.

"She still crying over being bored? Oh poor little pregnant woman" C laughed

"Fuck off C. Go do dishes or something" Ada snapped rolling her eyes

"I've done the dishes and the glasses. Thanks for the help" C said waving a glass in her face "See look clean"

Ada pushed the glass from her view, C teasing her knowing she was too big to keep up with his swift movements.

"Oh I got an idea!" Nora said as she scrolled through her pipboy. Everyone stared at her as she scrolled. They all awaited her announcement, Ada ran her finger over her pregnant belly, feeling the baby responding with soft kicks. Cooper looked over at her and just kept falling more in love with her, the bigger she got the more she glowed. Ada rolled her eyes, Nora was taking too long for Ada and her impatience. She grabbed a bottle crap throwing it at her with some force. Nora caught it with a cheeky smile.

"Nuka World. All of us. I fixed it up a few years ago. It'll be quiet, no queues for rides. Everything is working, even got hotels working now. Its a real turn around" Ada looked at Coop with a pleading look in her eyes.

"Please Coop. One last bit of fun before the baby comes. Please" Ada pleaded and begging her hands moulded together in a praying stance. Nora and Hancock both looking over at him with side eye.

"Oh fine but if she gets into trouble, I won't be happy. Someone will be getting shot"

"WOOOOO" Ada cheered getting up off the chair, a slight struggle as she grabbed C by the arm using him as a weight to pull herself up.

"Oh yeah, she's gonna have fun. Can't even get up off a stool" Cooper pointed at her as they watched her struggle getting up off the chair. C turned around grabbed her arm pulling her up onto her feet. She was wearing a pretty little summer dress.

"Well I'm gonna head upstairs and pack. Meet down here in an hour?" Ada said hobbling out from the bar.

"Make that two" Cooper chuckled watching Ada, she held her lower back as she waddled around to everyone

"Are you sure this is a good idea. I'm starting to double think... Cause you look ready to pop" Nora said looking Ada over, her hands on Ada's stomach, Nora could feel the kicking as she placed her hands on Ada "Oh she's active. I really don't think this is a good idea now...you are ready Ada" Nora said standing up to Ada's level.

"WERE GOING!" Ada said firmly as she moved over to the door leading upstairs "I'm gonna go pack" She said pushing the door open to the stairs. With each step came a struggle.

-----------

Ada waddled around the apartment, making her way over to the bedroom. Her hand on her lower back keeping herself up. A groan escaping her lips as she bent down to pull one of the suitcases out from under the bed. A huff escaping her lips as she bent down again.

A wet sploosh hit the ground below her. Her eyes dropping to the ground as she saw the wet water patch between her legs. Cooper walked in seeing her predicament, he stood there for a moment.

"See I told you Nuka World was a bad idea" Cooper rushed over to Ada as she lumped onto the bed. Panic filling her as she trembled.

"We need to get you to the clinic" Cooper hurried over to Ada, his hand reaching for hers. He tried his best to hurry Ada down the stairs but she was slower. Panting away through the first few light contractions. Without thinking he turned and picked her up, she was heavier than he remembered her being. A slight whimper escaping her lips as he lifted her and slowly helped her down the stairs.

"We got a problem guys" Cooper called out pushing his back through the door, carrying Ada out after. He carefully lowered her, putting her down.

"Is she?" Nora's head popped up

"Yup. Baby is coming" Cooper said a little panicked.

"Fuck!" They all rushed around in a panic like headless chickens.

They finally got her to the clinic, wheeling her down the hall to her own private room. With the help of C and Cooper they lifted her up onto the bed. Lying in the hospital bed, Ada groaned loudly in discomfort as another wave of pain surged through her body. Gritting her teeth, Ada tightened her grip on the big hand enveloping hers.

"I'll wait outside with the others" C said hurrying out of the room gladly.

“Just breathe through the pain, like they said, sweetie” Cooper said, a mixture of nerves and anticipation in his voice about what was about to happen.

“Fuck you and your breathing exercises Cooper” Ada growled as the contraction reached its peak. Cooper panicked and moved over to the small tv in the room. He picked up the baby bag they had brought with them taking out a small holotape.

'A Man And His Dog'

Cooper pushed it into the tv player, hoping it would be a nice distraction for Ada, help time pass for her before labour really began.

Fourteen Hours later

Ada had been in labour for fourteen hours now, and the contractions were getting closer and closer, growing in intensity each time. Right now though, all Ada could focus on was the pain as her body worked hard to deliver their child.

Soon enough the pain subsided again and Ada was able to lie back for a few moments and take a few deep breaths. The door to the room opened, and a doctor stepped inside.

“Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, hello” he said looking up from the clipboard in his hand after checking her names.

“So, how are things going in here? How far apart are the contractions?” he asked.

“A little under a minute,” Cooper replied, having kept a close watch on them, remembering it from first baby.

“Alright, very good. Mrs. Cooper, I’m just going to take a quick look to see how dilated Ada” the doctor gave Ada a reassuring smile as he put on a pair of gloves while waiting for Ada to nod her agreement.

He carefully felt around for a minute before retracting his hand.

“Well, as of right now Ada you about 9 centimetres dilated, only one to go. My estimation is that you will meet your daughter in less than an hour,” he smiled before giving Ada a nod goodbye, leaving Ada in the capable hands of the nurse in the room.

Cooper let out a shaky breath as he turned to look at her.

“Okay baby, let’s do this.” He smiled.

40 minutes later, the pain was almost overwhelming, and the contractions seemed endless. Ada barely registered the nurse seated between her legs, and Cooper was doing his best to talk Ada through the pain.

“You’re doing so great, baby, so great,” he rambled.

“It fucking hurts!” Ada managed to grit out.

“I know, babe, I know, and believe me, if I could take your pain right now, I would,” he soothed, reaching out to stroke her hair.

“That’s cute and all Cooper, but I happen to be the one pushing out a watermelon through a lemon-sized hole,” Ada growled, causing a brief smile to spread on her husband’s face.

“Alright, Mrs. Cooper, are you ready to start pushing?” the nurse asked from between her knees. Ada nodded, out of breath, but all the same filled with a sudden determination.

“Let’s get this baby born then” the nurse smiled.

Six pushes in, and Ada was about done. Another excruciating contraction had just subsided. Ada reached over to grab Cooper's shirt, pulling him closer so his face was inches away from hers.

“Cooper…” Ada panted.

“Yeah, sweetheart?” he asked nervously, seeing the pain in every part of her face mixed with other emotions he couldn’t quite decipher.

“Your dick is never touching me again,” Ada managed to get out before she felt another contraction building up.

“Alright, just one more push and you two can meet your child,” the nurse said from the end of the bed.

Gripping Cooper’s hand so tight, that he feared for a moment that it might break. Ada let her body take control and focused all her energy into pushing. Pain shot through every fibre of her body, and just when it felt like Ada had no more energy left.... Ada felt something shift. Seconds later, the cries of a baby filled the room.

Falling back on the bed breathing heavily, Ada closed her eyes for a brief second before opening them again and looking at Cooper, whose gaze was trained on something at the end of the bed.

“Congratulations, Mummy and Daddy, you have a beautiful daughter,” the nurse smiled warmly.

As the nurses cleaned up their daughter, Cooper leaned in to rest his forehead on hers.

“You did it baby” he breathed, a smile threatening to split his face in two “You did it. I’m so proud of you, I love you so much.” He cried

He stepped back as a smiling nurse approached Ada holding a light pink bundle in her arms before carefully handing their daughter over to Ada. Looking down at her newborn child for the very first time, an overwhelming amount of love filled every part of her body, removing all memory of the pain Ada had experienced just moments before.

“She’s so beautiful,” Ada whispered, unable to tear her gaze away from the tiny person in her arms.

Chapter Text

Ada watched Cooper's eyelids fluttered open a few hours later. Ada was yet to sleep, slightly jealous that Coop, the man who done zero pushing had slept so peacefully. She watched Cooper's smile widen as he saw Ada holding a small bundle wrapped in her arms.

Cooper stared at both of them, mentally pinching himself, telling himself he hadn’t been dreaming and they were both really here. Ada's eyes were bright, her hair was messy, she felt dirty.

“There’s a sight I could get used to each day,” Cooper murmured, and she bit her lip and looked back down at Iris.

“We’ve already had a lovely conversation,” Ada whispered, Cooper chuckled a little and sat up, ignoring the stiffness in his neck from the metal chair handle. He peered over Ada, he couldn’t take their eyes off of her.

“What’d you talk about?” Cooper murmured, kissing Ada's cheek softly

“Oh, you know...you, mostly,” she said " Introducing her to her daddy. Telling her what to expect from wasteland life. Told her I don't expect any boyfriends until she's at least forty" Ada chuckled. Cooper looked at his daughter as she let out a small happy gurgle noise.

"Can I hold her?" Cooper asked, his brown eyes melting Ada.

"Of course" Ada smiled as she softly passed Iris to Cooper. He arms wrapping around her.

“Ten fingers. Ten toes. One nose. Two eyes. Two ears...No tails. No horns....She's perfect” Cooper said happily. Ada laid back just watching him and Iris. Their beautiful family.

"You...you are gonna be just like your momma. An adventurer. No vault. Nothing can hold you back" Cooper said softly as he bounced Iris in his arms "Your mummy, she was in a vault. Even a metal tin can couldn't stop her. You'll be just like her. Strong. A fighter. I can tell" Cooper said happily. Ada just smiled. That's all she could do.

"Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket. Never let it fade away' Cooper began to sing to Iris, his voice soft, a little husky "Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket. Save it for a rainy day. For love may come and tap you on the shoulder. Some starless night. Just in case you feel you wanna' hold her. You'll have a pocketful of starlight"

A knock at the door interrupted them as they both looked up. Their happy bubble broken.

"Come in" Ada said in a calm tone, she slowly leaned up. Her body still sore and sensitive. Nora and C, peaked their heads in the door before coming in fully. A smile on their faces as saw Iris in Coopers arms. Nora melted on the spot hurrying in. Everyone surrounded Ada waiting to take it in turns to hold their beautiful baby girl.

"Can I hold her?" Nora asked, Ada had already begun slowly drifting in and out knowing this moment wasn't for her, it was Iris. Time to relax. Cooper stood up passing her to Nora. Each time Ada nodded off and came back around, someone new was holding their baby. One minute Cooper. Then Nora. Then C. The doctor was happy with her, Ada was healthy. Their baby girl was healthy. Cooper pressed his lips to Ada's forehead proud of her. His fingers entwined with hers as he lifted her hand kissing it.

"So did you guys decide on a name?" Nora asked looking over at Ada and Cooper.

"We did" Cooper said proudly

"Iris" Ada said a little weakly from exhaustion "Iris Cooper" Ada continued as her eyes fluttered shut again shooting back open with the sounds of their baby crying. Her eyes shot wide awake as Nora passed Ada her little baby. Ada bounced her gently, hushing her. Ada trying her best to soothe her. She didn't know how to do this. How to be a mother. Cooper rubbed Ada's arm showing a smile. A reassuring smile.

"Beautiful name" Nora said. Nora was in love.

Finally calm again, Nora gave pleading eyes. Ada held her to Cooper, as Cooper handed her to Nora softly.

"Honestly Ada can't believe all this time you've been killing folk, putting yourself in danger and all the while, had this little thing inside you" C said as he hung over Nora looking down at little Iris. Cooper chuckled.

"He's not wrong, Look at everything you've done over the past five months and this was the outcome" Nora said as she returned her gaze to Iris.

Everyone hypnotised by the beauty that was Iris. She was tiny, the smallest thing Ada had ever laid her eyes on. She couldn't believe she had created her.

"I could hold her all day" Nora said hushing Iris. Happy little sounds escaping the tiny baby before an outburst of tears and cries.

"I think she needs feeding guys" Ada spoke up " Mind leaving for a bit while I give it a go? It didn't work so great earlier" Nora nodded passed Iris to Ada before Nora and C disappeared out the door leaving Cooper. He was sat in the chair beside her as she rested, Cooper took Iris from Ada's hold while she took out her breast. He lowered Iris back down to Ada's hold. Ada tried her best to balance it out. Without a clue what she was doing she kind picked up her breast, wiggling the nipple close to Iris.

Success

Iris. hooked on. Sucking roughly one Ada. She squinted slightly at the pain. It wasn't pleasant, the stinging and pinching between the gums of the little one tugged on her.

"Its okay. Its meant to feel like that. Barbara hated how painful it was. She ended up using formula but that isn't an option now" Cooper said with a sad tone. He rubbed Ada's arm trying to comfort her while Iris sucked away.

Eventually, Iris went from sucking to cooing. Small, soft sounds.

Ada just stared down at Iris, amazed she had created such a small and tender human being. Ada bounced Iris softly. The sweet sounds coming from her. Cooper smiling down, his finger swirling in the palm of Iris's hand.

"She's so small" Cooper said quietly as she slept

"I can't believe a few hours ago she was inside me. Now she's here in my arms" Ada just stared her, amazed.

"You did amazing Ada. I'm so proud. I can't describe how proud. No pain meds. You just kept on like a champ" Cooper praised Ada. His eyes glowed with his proudness as her eyes began to flutter again. Ada was exhausted. The door knocked, waking Ada back up again. She tried to stay calm, holding the precious, tiny human being in her arms.

“I can’t believe we have her,” Cooper whispered, “We’ve wanted this for so long. I always wanted a second chance and now I have you and Iris. I feel like I’m in a dream and am going to wake up at any minute. It’s almost too good to be true.” Cooped hummed happily “Are you okay? Are you comfortable?”He asked Ada, looking over at her and Iris.

"I'm so tired Coop. Sore. But I'm okay" Ada said with a smile. A nurse interrupted them.

"Right I think we should let mama and baby get some sleep" A nurse said as she walked in. Ada softly placing a kiss on Iris's head as Cooper took her gently from Ada's arms. Luckily he didn't disturb her, she stayed happily cooing as he placed her inside the crib beside the bed.

"I'll be back in a few hours"Cooper said with a smile "You try and get some sleep. You need it" Cooper placed a kiss on Ada's lips "You'll be back home tonight"

"I can't wait" Ada said hopeful. Cooper leaned down placing a kiss on Iris's forehead.

"Sweet dreams my love" Cooper said before leaving the room. Ada's smile turned into a small sad pout. Emotions flooding over her as her eyes glanced over to the baby she couldn't reach. She could see her perfectly though. Ada shifted to be more comfortable facing Iris. Her head lowered onto the pillow. Her eyes fluttering shut the second she reached a small bit of comfort. A happy sigh escaping her as she drifted off.

--------

Ada was awoken by the sound of crying. Iris crying. Her eyes shot open immediately. She shot up in bed seeing a tall woman standing over Iris's crib. Iris screaming in the process. Ada went to move but found her legs bound, her wrists bound. Panic filled Ada with a mix of confusion.

"Who are you?" Ada asked, bound.

"You should know" the woman turned around. Barbara. Ada's eyes widened as she saw Barbara holding her baby girl.

"I told you we weren't done. You took my husband. My future. Now I take yours" Anger wriggled through her as she thrusted around trying to get free from her bounds.

"I didn't take nothing from you. Your marriage was dead long before I was even born. Your ex husband picked me. Your daughter didn't even want to know you. She kept you frozen, because of how you treated Cooper. Imagine your own daughter choosing a life with no parents over you" Ada spat angrily. A man stood beside Ada's bed, Barbara signalled to him. An Elbow came from her left hitting her in the nose. Pain. Instant pain. Ada's bound hands came up holding her nose. Blood pouring from it, her nose was definitely broken.

"Maybe that will teach you to keep your mouth shut" Barbara snarled holding baby Iris.

"Give me my baby!" Ada demanded

Before she knew it, the man moved towards her, Ada flinched as he put a gag in Ada's mouth. Gagging at the taste. The blood trickled down from her nose, down her chin.

"Its better and quicker if you don't scream and make a fuss otherwise more people will have to die" Barbara said stepping closer to Ada, revealing a dead body of one the nurses who helped Ada. Her blood pooled around her body. Barbara's heels pressing bloodied footprints as she moved. The man who gaged Ada picked something from the side table. Ada's teary eyes staring over at man, trying to see what he had.

Wriggling she saw a needle, her eyes wide she tried to resist, screaming through the gag. The man grabbed Ada's hair, his fingers roughly locking knots in her hair as he held her still. The sting from how hard he tugged made Ada freeze to stop the pain. She felt felt a sharp pain dig into her neck. Ada growled, hissing at the sharpness of the needle in her neck.

"Beautiful baby girl you created here" Barbara said stroking Iris's cheek with her thumb "Think I'll keep her. Definitely makes up for Janey" Barbara stood at the end of Ada's bed, wrapping Iris up in a blanket. Ada's body started to feel numb. Going limp. Her body heavy she fell back into bed. The man beside her ripped the blankets from Ada's body. She wore a hospital gown. He ripped the iv drips from her arm roughly causing a gash. Blood trickling from Ada's arm.

"You'll be unconscious soon. It'll make it easier to carry you out. Can't risk you trying to find us. Cooper will get bored eventually. Probably move on in another two hundred years or when he finds your dead body. Just like I found out about my Janey" The man picked up Ada's limp and heavy body, throwing her over his should. Ada's numb hands hung over her head. A trickle of blood creating a path as the man carried Ada, following Barbara out of the hospital room. Ada managed to lift her head up slightly as she saw dead bodies scattered in the halls. Doctors and nurses murdered just to get to Ada and Iris.

Tears fell from Ada's eyes as her head fell heavy. Dizzy. Her eyes fluttering shut. Iris's cries becoming more and more faint.

Darkness.

Chapter Text

Three weeks later

Anger

So much anger.

Ada was tied to a bed, In a dark room. A few candles scattered around lit the room slightly. Her body bruised from the beatings. Her hands bound above her head, numb. Her wrists sore. The rope burns on her wrists, cutting through her skin. Healing and then recutting. A vicious cycle. Old blood stains remained on her arms, dribbling down. Her head hung low, weak, the brink of feral. Each time she got close to being feral. Someone came in drugging her up, giving her the strength to go on a little longer.

They were the only person to speak to Ada and show kindness. She didn't know how often it happened. Maybe every few days. They were sneaky about it. They brought her old bread and water. They cleaned her up, from laying in her own filth. Washing her down. She knew it was a woman, she had promised to help Ada escape, but for now she couldn't. It wasn't the time. Men would come in a few times a day, and beat Ada. Torture her, Other than that, Ada saw no one. Every now and then the door would be left on crack. Sometimes she swore she could hear Iris crying. Maybe she was hallucinating the whole thing, maybe she wasn't but her cries tore Ada apart.

There was one thing that kept Ada going. The idea of ripping Barbara apart. Ripping her throat out and taking back her baby. Ada was still pretty sore from giving birth. Every time she needed to pee, it felt like she was being torn apart. She wasn't sure how long she'd been here. She'd sleep a lot. It must have been weeks. she'd lost track of time. She missed Cooper. Her friends. Her cries and screams ignored. she'd lost her voice many times since being here. This current point being one of them. Her voice was raspy, raw. She kept coughing up blood, she could tell by the taste. The door creaking open she panicked.

Her head heavy, weak popped up. Panic fuelled her as the door closed behind whoever it was.

"Hello" Said the female voice. The friendly voice. She moved over to Ada "Lift yourself if you can darling" Her voice was British, husky,. Ada knew the woman was a ghoul. The candle glow only lit her face slightly. Ada pushed her wobbly legs up, they buckled and wobbled as the woman reached under Ada ripping the old sheets out from under her, rolling them down and off the bed. Ada felt the woman dip under her, fitting a new sheet on the mattress.

"You can lower yourself" She spoke soft, Ada's legs with permission collapsing below her. Ada heard the click of the vial as the woman came into the fade candle light, she lowered herself down onto the bed.

"Remember to try and breathe as deep as you can" She said kindly to Ada as Ada felt the pump reach her lips "3...2...1" Her voice soft. Ada took in a deep breath, as deep as she could. The drugs rushing through her veins quick. A low growl escaping Ada as the high rushed through her veins, sizzling into a nice hum. Her body heavy, everything hazy.

"If I untie your wrists, you promise not to hurt me? I want to clean them and your ankles. I can smell the blood" She asked. Ada knew this woman was he only chance of help. Cooper hadn't come. Nora hadn't come. No one had come for her. The same torture replayed every day, seeping into her dreams. Ada hung in a high state giving a nod.

"Yesss" Her voice hung on the words, lingering onto every moment of the highness she could. Her ankles were tied to the bed, in the same state her wrists. Sore, raw. Every movement stung, a burning rubbing sensation. Ada felt the woman fingers tug on the rope. Stinging became a relieved sense. Her wrists breathing as her numb, dead arms dropped down to Ada's sides.

She felt the coldness wet her wrists. Stinging.

"Ouch" Ada hissed, she flinched tugging her wrist away.

"Sorry, its just alcohol. To clean the wound. Your wrists a raw" The woman looked down "Maybe you need another vial, to heal your wrists and ankles" The woman turned undoing ada's ankle ropes. Ada heard another click shortly after.

"Again you know what to do?" Ada nodded in the dim candle light. "3...2...1" the woman counted down, Ada drew in a deep breath. The drugs rushed through her differently this time. Like adrenaline rushing through her body. The woman held Ada by the wrist, brushing a cold cloth over the wound.

"Ah perfect" She hummed happily. Ada looked down at her wrist weakly seeing the skin healing, the glow to her skin dim but returning. "Ah those beautiful green eyes" The woman said as Ada's ghoul glow lit her up more. She was indeed a ghoul. Ada lifted her wrist weakly, she placed her hand on the woman's cheek weakly, trembling. The woman didn't flinch.

"Thank you" Ada rasped through a broke, faded voice. The woman smiled. Ada hadn't felt so alive in a long time.

"You need to reserve some of your strength" The woman said in a gentle tone. "I managed to bring you some tea" The woman said as Ada felt the mug reach her lips "I added some honey and lemon to help with your throat" She said softly "You sounded bad yesterday" Ada hummed as the hot liquid stung but soothed her throat at the same time. Ada took every sip she could.

"T..thank...you.." Ada quietly responded, her throat sore, dry, broken.

"You're welcome" The woman said soft and calmly "I have some soup here. It was mine from lunch. Its cold sadly but it is fresh this time, soft. I didn't want to hurt your throat more with the bread" she whispered. Ada felt the rim of the spoon against her lips. The cold, wet liquid against her lips. Cold but it tasted like tatos. A taste she usually hated but at this moment, tasted like the best thing. Ada took every spoon that was offered to her.

"How is my baby" Ada asked, like she asked every day.

"I don't know, I haven't seen her. I hear her cry some days. Mrs Barbara has her locked in her quarters. I have a guard who is willing to give me his key. Just hold on a little longer and I'll get you out of here" The woman said quietly "Do you need anymore water?" She asked. Ada knew her visit was almost over. A sadness deep in her pit, knowing darkness and quiet would surround and devour her soon again.

"Water would be good" Ada finally responded. Ada felt the cup come up to her lip as the woman tipped the cup. The cold water lingered in Ada's mouth for a minute, soaking the dryness before she swallowed.

"I know something though" The woman said as Ada drank "Your friends. They are looking for you. We've heard them over the radios, the Brotherhood are conducting searches. They are looking everywhere for you. Ripping towns apart. I've heard someone. A female voice. She's angry. A man is with her. He is more angrier. They're close" She said softly, giving Ada a small glint of hope but it had been too long. Ada feared they would never find her.

"Where am I?" Ada asked between gulps.

"Vault 111" She said quietly "You're so close to them. They're so close to you. There's a door blocked off, inside the vault with an elevator that leads deep down into the vault. That's where we are" She whispered. She wasn't kidding. She was close to them. Too close. Sanctuary was literally within her grasp.

"Help me get out...please" Ada begged " I need my baby" Ada pleaded

'I'm working on it" the woman responded as a bang came from outside "Shit" she mumbled. She grabbed the rope tying Ada's ankles, the rope was loose. Ada could wiggle. She didn't the same to her wrists.

"Soon you'll hear the alarms. When you hear them, run. You do what you need to do" She whispered. Ada felt the movement change on the bed. The door opened and closed. Ada back to being alone. She pulled her wrists from the loose rope. Her hands running over them. She could feel the hardness from where they'd healed and bled and healed again. More and more of her body becoming ghoulish. Her eyes glowing in anger. She was ready to fight her way out of here.

Chapter Text

It had been awhile. She wasn't sure how long. Feral, growling every now and then. She had tried her best to reserve her energy. The longer and longer it took. The more impatient Ada grew. She had remained untied for awhile. No one had come to check on her in some time. Not even the ghoul lady.She began to worry something may have happened to the ghoul lady.

Footsteps.

Ada's head pricked up from a moment of rest. Closer and closer they got to her door they got. Two she counted. She shot up onto her feet. Wobbly. She grabbed the metal frame holding herself firm. She  pushed herself off, hobbling over to behind the door. She wasn't waiting for any alarm. She was doing this. Knowing they were looking for her. Knowing she was so close to Sanctuary. Cooper was right. She was a fighter.

Her eyes dropped down to the handle as the door opened

"Its okay ill take her today. She was real broken yesterday" The guard laughed.

"Alright. Enjoy" The other guard outside laughed and walked off. Ada stayed in the darkness of the room and she watched the guard come into her view. The door closing behind him as he flicked the switch on the wall. The room lit up.

"What the fuck?" He looked over at the bed. Ada gone. A feral growl escaping her, he turned around. He tried to fumble for his gun. Too slow. She launched herself at the man, forcing him back, his body thumped against the ground winding him. She felt him huff from the impact. Her hands pinning down, her faded glowing green eyes staring down at him.

"You fucked up. Should have brought your friend in too" She growled. Her teeth showing as she bent down, tearing into the flesh on his neck. A squishy growl hummed as she tore deeper into his throat. Blood squirting, hitting her face as she tore into him. Her finger nails digging into his wrists as he tried to wriggle free beneath her. His blood tasted so good. She was hungry, angry, feral almost. The image of her little happy family kept her going. Pulling her through. She leaned up, a chunk of his throat in her mouth as looked down at him. Blood covering her face, covering her body. She looked like a monster. She spat the chunk across the room. His body wiggly before slowing.

"You beat me. You almost defeated me" She growled "Almost" His body stiffened beneath her. His resistance...gone.  Lifeless the guard below her became. She lifted herself up to her feet, standing over him. Blood dripping from her mouth, onto his lifeless, cold body.

"Almost had me" she kicked him angrily "How does it feel" Her bare feet kicking into his side. she quickly bent down, unhooking his pistol from his belt. Her bloodied, dirty hospital gown hanging down as she took his scanner card. She leaned up making sure the pistol was loaded.

"Iris I'm coming baby girl" She growled as she opened the door. peaking her head into an empty hall way. Her footprints showed bloody remains as she took a left. Left was the way the guards had come from. She crept up some stairs. It was cold. Just like Nora explained. Dripping sounds echoed as she walked up another flight of stairs. Ada had simply just been locked away. The halls were pretty empty. She expected more resistance.

Barbara didn't have many working for her. Most of her men must have died at The Enclave facility. Which was going to make this easier on Ada. They simply relied on rope and a locked door to keep her hidden away like a prisoner. No wonder it was easy for the ghoul lady to bring her food and water. There was barely no protection to fight off. She came to a hallway that split three ways. She pointed her gun down each corridor. Empty. Ada frowned, this was bleak. No one to shoot, no one to eat. How disappointing. Her head popped up.

Cries echoing. She covered one ear, distant. She covered the other. Closer. Her head turning right.

"Iris" She whispered, she lifted her gun. Her wet bloodied feet taking each hurried step carefully as she kept an eye behind her. Keeping an eye out for guards. She was suspicious at how quiet it was. Iris's cries  becoming louder, and louder. Ada didn't want to alarm Barb. That was the last thing she needed. She didn't want to lose her again. This time Ada was going to make sure  Barbara would not come back. She did not grow a baby, just for Barbara to steal her. She'd already lost so much time with her beautiful baby girl.

If it wasn't for the cries of her baby, It's almost like this place was abandoned. There was no one here. She opens another door and stops. She watches in silent horror as a roach skitters across at the floor running to her. It was only small, she brought her foot up, coming down in

3...

2...

1.

Squish.

Down the end of the hall she finds what looks to be a sign, leading to the path to the Overseer's office. She looks through the terminal scrolling trying to find the open door tab. Files and files flickering in a green hue, reflecting at her face. Her heart sinks even deeper into her chest. Her eyes stumbling across Nora's name, She clicked the file.

Name - Nora, husband (Nate) and child (boy - no name added)

Date - October - 23 - 2077

Entered into vault Vault 111 - Cryogenic experiment.

November - 14 - 2077

Project Status - Stable - Successful

Ada's eyes widened. She was defiantly in vault 111.

They were never safe here. Ada came out scrolling down to the bottom of the list. Open door. She clicked the button, opening the vault door. Welcomed a security fence in. She wants to scream. But she can't. No sound comes out. She wants to cry, but the tears were all dried up in their ducts. Her sobs are dry and painful and suffocating, and she has no energy to continue, but she does. Her breathing calms, her body full tremors as she looked at the fence.

"Please be open" He begged as her hand pulled the cold handle.

Success.

The door opened it coming up to an elevator. Stepping inside, she double checked the gun as the elevator closed. Taking her up. The doors opened to an open plan. It looked very different to the usual overseer rooms. A crib in the corner. Barbara stood talking to...the ghoul lady. She had her tied to a chair. Ada knew something must have happened. She pointed her shaky hands at Barbara. Her eyes glued to her, the soft whimpers of her baby girl in the crib to her side. Adrenaline overtook her. Her heart speeding up, pounding. Anger.

"Turn around" Ada demanded "Put your hands up"

Barbara slowly turned around. Their eyes meeting one another. Ada looked like trash, bloodied, bruised, beaten. A smile on Barbara's lip curved as she looked at Ada. Hands in the air. A shaky gun pointed at her.

"You're not going to shoot me" Barbara said and she stepped toward Ada. She sore a smooth red dress. It clung to her and made her look gorgeous even in the state and situation they were in. Barbara glowed. A growl escaped from Ada. Barbara smiled and doubted Ada and the situation. Quicker than Ada she reached and grabbed a pistol from the table pointing it back at Ada.

"I can promise I won't miss. A creature like you, shouldn't be allowed to raise a precious baby" She spat stepping closer to Ada. Ada tilted her head, a smile on her lips. She looked to the ghoul behind Barbara. Her eyes darting to the side beside Ada. Ada's eyes dropping seeing a vial in a inhaler. The ghoul behind Barbara pushed herself back, Barbara turned distracted seeing what was going on. Ada reached out grabbing the vial puffing it. A huge gasp. It was laced. Psycho. A manic laugh came from Ada as if she was powering up. Barbara turned turn releasing a bullet from her gun, it hit Ada. The bullet went straight to her stomach. The psycho kept her going as Ada raced towards Barbara. Barbara got a lucky shot the first time no so much after. Ada jumped, leaping like an animal. Pushing her back against the cold floor. Barbara screaming, wiggling beneath Ada. Fury and anger filled Ada's eyes and she stared down at Barbara below her.

Barbaras fingers grazing Ada's face, nails digging into her skin as she looked into her glowing , fury filled eyes. Her nails ripped streaks across Ada's face. A sinister smile curving Ada's lips as she brought her head back.  Ada forced forward, as she smashed her forehead into Barbaras. Barbara disorientated stopped wiggling for a moment as Ada looked down at her. Her hands keeping Barbara's hands away from her.

"I told you I would kill you" Ada tilted her head, clicking her tongue. "You should have taken my threat and gotten as far away as you could" Ada watched Barbara smile back at her before she pushed down. Her teeth piercing through Barbaras skin. A growl escaping her as she tore deeper into her throat. Her teeth gripping at a few veiny parts. A grip and pull, Ada yanked up. The blood squirting up from her throat. Her body convulsing beneath Ada as she spat the chunk across the room before diving back down for more. Barbara's body was limp, weak. Barely moving. Ada kept tearing into her. Even long after Barbara had stopped moving. Her lifeless dead body still beneath Ada. The monster within her, growling, tearing at her until she hit bone.

Ada pulled herself up, her eyes glowing, her breath panting  heavy as she sat on Barbara's dead body. Blood covered her, head to toe. The drugs wearing off.

"Hey!" A voice from beside her caught her attention as she shot a look in the direction "Wanna untie me?" The British voice asked Ada. Ada looked down at Barbara, before slowly lifting herself off her. She was dead. A glassy look in her eyes remained. Ada looked at the ghoul as she stood up, she found a combat knife on the side. Gripping it she rushed over to the ghoul. Ripping through the rope.

"Thank you" She said happily brushing the ropes off her body

"Thank you for all this time" Ada whispered, her voice raspy. The drugs fading, her high a distant mellow.

"You want to get that looked at soon. You'll bleed out" The ghoul pointed down at Ada's stomach before rushing to the terminal. Ada looked down, the bullet hole through her nightgown, red, bight red. Her distraction stolen by the sounds of cries. Ada turned hobbling over to the crib. Blood dripping from her face over the crib. Her shaky bloodied hands wrapping around the small baby. Her lips pressing against her forehead, leaving a bloodied remaining pair of lip marks.

"I promised I'd save you baby girl" She whispered as tears rolled over Ada's cheeks as she finally held her child. The door behind her opened forcefully as she turned around.

"Vault door that way. I'll make sure no one follows you. They're all asleep. You got lucky" The ghoul said looking at Ada. Ada turned her attention back to the small human in her arms, gently rocking her. She turned, spotting her pipboy on the desk.

"I'll be having that" Ada said sliding her wrist through it. Putting them on one handed was a difficult struggle but she was successful. She turned looking back at the ghoul lady to loaded a pistol.

"Thank you again" Ada said softly

"Hey...it was no problem. Now go. Get help" The ghoul smiled at Ada. Ada turned around and headed down the hall.  Skeletons await her when she finally reaches the vault door, Iris in her arms. Soft coo's coming from Iris as she came up to the control panel. She struggled but undone the plug from her pipboy. The blood loss was affecting her now. Queasiness and dizziness effecting her as she pushed the red button on the panel. The alarms beeping as Ada hushed Iris in her arms. As she walked down the steps, stepping onto the platform in front of her.

“Let’s go home baby girl” Ada whispered as the platform went up.

Usually the sound from the vault being opened could be heard from Sanctuary. Ada rose up to meet darkness. Pitch black, stars sparkling in the sky above. She held her close as she wearily stumbled down the hill. The wooden bridge welcoming her as searchlights beamed over her. She wobbled moving closer, until she could see two guards the gates. She hobbled closer, the blood trickling down her legs. Her bare feet crunching over dirt and stones as she fell to her knees. The guards rushing over to her as she clinged to her daughter. Nothing. No one was ever going to let her go. The guards calling for help as they took Ada and Iris inside Sanctuary.

Chapter Text

Ada laid in a Sanctuary clinic bed, she clung to Iris like she was oxygen. The doctor had done her best to work on Ada. Even with her as she held Iris. IV wires pumped fluids and blood into her. She was still bloodstained. She was a sight. Her hair messy, glued together in parts by blood. She had not spoken a word to the doctors. The bullet from her stomach had been removed successfully. Stitched and cleaned. Her wounds cleaned and stitched. Ada just stared down at Iris, stuck in almost a trance. No amount of pain could stop her staring at her. The world around her did not exist.

"I told you darling" Ada hummed rocking her sleeping baby "I told you I'd come for you" She repeated over and over. Her whole face blood stained, the doctor looked at Ada fear filled as she cleaned out the wounds on Ada's ankle. The rope had burned through skin, melting and healing just to burn more layers of skin. Stones and glass had cut Ada's feet as she had made her way down from vault 111. Ada's thumb rubbed Iris's cheek softly. Gentle.

She was just happy they were safe. She hadn't thought twice about killing Barbara since she left the vault. Even if she was covered in her blood. Ada had the clearest mind she'd had in a long time. nothing mattered now. She promised she'd kill Barbara and she kept her word. Just the protection of her baby girl. In her eyes she'd missed too much time with her already.

"Let me fucking in" A voice shouted from outside. Ada remained still, not a flinch as the doctor finished one ankle, moving onto her foot. C pushed through the door, looking over at Ada. He rushed over, his hands forcefully on Ada's face, with a struggle he managed to pull her glaze up from Iris. Her eyes meeting his. No fear. Nothing. Tears rolling over his cheeks as his hands run over her face, as if he was feeling to see if she was real.

"Ada" His voice distant as she just stared at him. Her eyes watching his lips move "Ada" He shook her again.

"You didn't come" She spoke raspy. Her voice still raw and sore.

"We tried Ada. We even tried Nora's tracker. It was disconnected. We looked everywhere Ada" Ada rolled her eyes forcing her gaze away from him returning her look to Iris.

"Not everywhere" C looked at her with an odd look

"Where were you?" He asked

"Vault 111. Just up the hill" Ada swallowed "Right under your nose" She paused "Its okay. None of it matters now. I saved her. I got us out" Ada paused looking down at her beautiful girl "Where is Cooper?" She asked looking back up at C.

"He's outside. He wanted me to check it was you first. He wanted me to make sure you were alive" He replied gently "They didn't tell us nothing. Just that you were here. They didn't even mention your baby"

"Go get him. Please. I need to talk to him" Ada asked before returning her gaze upon Iris. Her bloodied fingers brushing over her, every time she was just making sure she was real. C stepped back from the bed, moving past the doctor who was onto Ada's other ankle. He left the room, almost instantly being replaced by Cooper. He barged his way in like he owned the place.

"Ada...fucking hell" He fell to his knees in tears. Barely making it two steps. "Look at you...my god" He was broken "I'll fucking kill them"

"I'll leave you two be" The doctor finished up on Ada before leaving the room. Cooper just cried on his knees. A soft coo, perked his head up as he ran over to Ada. Practically tripping over himself as he did. His eyes falling onto seeing Iris.

"Your both okay" He sobbed, his head fell on Ada "I fuckin tried sweetheart. I barely slept. Day and night I searched and searched" He pleaded. It broke her heart. She wasn't mad but she had to tell Coop the truth.

"Coop sit. Please. I need to tell you something" She said as he looked up at her "You might be angry"

"I could never be mad sweetheart" His southern voice soft

"Barbara did this" Ada finally broke, tear falling over her cheeks. Emotions finally flowing as she looked at Cooper.

"What?" He spat angrily

"She wanted Iris....to make up for Janey" Ada explained as she looked down at Cooper.

"I'll fucking kill her" Cooper got up and began pacing, back and forth. He head in his hands shaking his head. He was angry. Seething with fury. His head trying to wrap his head around it all.

"I already did. This is her blood over me" Ada said, Cooper stopped turning to face her, the shock on his face. "Well most of it" She continued "Some of it mine, some of it a guard, ripped his throat out too. Either way she's dead" Ada turned her attention back to Iris.

"How?" He asked

"Ripped her throat out...she fought good. Bitch shot me in the stomach first...almost died so the doctor told me" Ada bounced Iris as she returned her attention back to Cooper "One I was on top she clawed at my face" She pointed to the claw marks on her face "Woman fought good. Just not good enough" Ada chuckled a little thinking it all over "Yeah she tried" Ada turned back looking at Cooper.

"You sure she's dead?" Ada's head popped up. That was something she was never expecting. His cold eyes staring at her. "Are you sure she's dead" He repeated

"I ripped out her throat Coop. Literally had a chunk of it in my mouth. Heck go up to vault 111, check on her. Its only up the hill" Ada stared at him

"Up the...up the goddamn hill? We came here...we stayed here while looking for you Ada! And You're telling me you were literally steps away from me" Cooper growled, he grabbed Ada's face within his hold. His eyes staring into hers and his lips crushed into hers. She held Iris but that didn't stop her lips returning his kiss. The taste something she had missed. His lips brushing over hers. His kiss paused, as he savoured her taste, her soft lips. Everything about this moment. He pulled back and pushed his way onto the bed. Ada moved up and let him move onto the bed beside her. One arm around her, the other as he pulled the blanket down revealing Iris.

"Honestly darling I'm just glad you're safe"

"Honestly Coop. I just want to go home. I don't care for all these wires. Just take me home please" Ada begged. He nodded as he got up, he took Iris from a hesitant Ada. She eventually gave her over, pulling the needles from her arm. A groan escaping her lips as she flipped her legs over the edge of the bed. Her bandaged up feet made it a little hard to walk. She held onto the side of the bed as Cooper grabbed a wheelchair from the corner. One handed he wheeled it over to her.

Ada just slumped into it. A sigh of relief escaping her as she landed on her ass. Cooper moved around lowering Iris back into Ada's arms. He looked over her seeing her scars, bandages, stitches. It broke her heart seeing her so wounded and hurt. Something he would forever punish himself for. He pushed her out, Nora and C waiting outside by a Vertibird. They turned around to see her. The rain dropping down on her and Cooper, she pulled some of the blanket up shielding Iris's face from the rain.

"Oh my god Ada" Nora sounded relieved to see her "What the hell did they do to you? C told me you were in vault 111. I've got Brotherhood going up there as we speak to clear whoever and whatever is left" Ada simply nodded. She was exhausted. Finally letting her guard down. A safety measure she hadn't felt in so long. C and Cooper helped Ada up and into the bird, Nora strapping her in. Her pain filled tears fell as she checked over Iris.

"Where we taking her?" Nora asked

"Home" Ada added "I want a bath. My own bed. I want to feel safe again" She said, as the pilot set the engines off, the rain pouring.

"Home it is. Good Neighbour" Nora ordered the pilot.

—————

Good Neighbour

Ada found herself in the apartment her and Cooper called home. He had found a crib and placed it in the bedroom. A smile hovered on her lips as she held their baby, hesitant she placed Iris in the crib, covering her with a blanket. Iris fast asleep. She'd been calm and quiet ever since Ada got her hands on her.

"Want a bath?" Cooper asked Ada. She perked her head up looking over at him. A small nod was the result of his question.

"Do you need a hand?" He asked. It wasn't sexual. It was sweet.

"I'll be okay. Just keep an eye on her please, don't even take your eyes off her for a moment" Ada almost pleaded.

"I promise I won't" Cooper smiled and tilted his head as Ada turned and opened the bathroom door. She was yet to see how bad she looked. The reflection in the mirror resulted in tears flowing down her cheeks. Blood covered her entire face. Like a horror movie. Her bloodied fingers brushing over the dry blood on her face. She indeed was covered head to toe In blood. A truly devastating site. She rushed to the bathtub, twisting the taps. The hot water flowing and filling the tub. Ignoring her reflection in the mirror she turned on the radio.

'I don't want to set the world on fire' played

Ada took off the blood stained hospital gown. The only thing she'd worn for weeks, dirty and smelly. She threw it across the room and leaned on the edge of the bath tub as she undone all her bandages. She squinted feeling the bandages rip from the dried blood beneath it. Careful to not disturb the stitches, not that it mattered. Her fingers ran over some of the wounds. Healed and covered by scarred, hardened skin. Dried blood covering the skin below her gown.

The bath full Ada turned around and stepped inside, one foot at a time. The heat against her skin, burned. She'd been cold for too long. She slowly lowered herself down into the tub. Soft whimpers escaping her as the pain rushed through her body. She was fully submerged by the water. The blood drifting off her body as the water turned red. Ada's eyes closed, a little piece of heaven.

"You did so good Adelaide. I know it was hard but I created a fighter " Her fathers voice "You can rest now" His voice faded. Distant. Holding her breath she dipped under the water. Bubbles escaping her lungs bubbling to the top of the water. She remained there, feeling the struggle. Hands gripping her as she was brought to the surface.

Air

"Sweetheart..." Cooper called

"I'm okay" She gasped "Just wanted to feel something else" She said looking over at him "Where's Iris" She panicked, sitting up. The giggles of Iris echoing through the place.

"Its okay. Hancock is out there with her" Cooper hushed Ada, his hands pulling her close. Her wet head pressed against him "I promise nothing bad will ever happened again. I just wanted to confirm Barbara is dead. There were a few others there. Dead. They kept a ghoul alive. Said she helped you?" Cooper asked

"Yes. She snuck in and fed me, kept my wounds clean, gave me vials to stop me turning feral" Ada spoke softly "Make sure she lives" Ada pleaded "She deserves that"

Cooper nodded.

"I'll let you finish up" Cooper spoke softly. Ada laid back in the tub. A sense of relief filled her knowing for certain Barbara was dead. Her and Iris were finally safe.

After washing up, she got out. The mirror showed no blood, just hardened scarred skin, Most her wounds healed. She wrapped a towel around her and stepped out of the bathroom. Hancock had gone, guess he was just delivering a message. She was sure they'd catch up later. For now she was just focused on family.

She moved over to the bedroom, sitting down on the bed, Cooper handed her Iris. Her brown eyes staring up at Ada.

"She defiantly has her daddy's eyes" Ada said quietly as Cooper sat beside her, his hand on Ada's lower back.

"Well, I'd be concerned if they were glowing" Cooper chuckled.

"You aint wrong" Ada turned to look at Cooper, placing a soft kiss on his lips "I missed you" Her voice soft.

"Not as much as I missed you. Without you or Iris I wasn't interested in round two of that pain Ada" His head lowered onto her shoulder as they sat cuddled up, Iris happily cooing.

"You'll never know that pain. I'll always find my way back to you" Ada whispered looking down at Iris "Both of you"

Finally together again.

Chapter Text

Ten years later

Nuka World

"Mama" giggles echoed "Mama"

Ada turned around, placing her cold Nuka Cola down on the table. The summery heat burning down on her skin as she lifted her summer hat. The occasional breeze blowing ada's red locks of hair.

"What's wrong buttercup" Ada said looking over at Iris. Iris jumping up and down, her hands holding onto the garden chair, she wore a little blue bathing suit with yellow ducks on it. Iris was now ten. Growing too quick, Ada and Cooper hated how quick she was growing up.

"Can me and Elijah and Serana go play on some of the rides. Uncle Hancock said he'd take us" Iris's brown eyes gazing at Ada. Sucking her in as they inflated. Her long glossy brown hair blowing in the summer breeze. Ada and Cooper had somehow managed to get another little one out, shortly after Iris was born. The final course. A healthy, beautiful baby girl. Serana. She had green eyes like Ada, no glow. Just a gorgeous emerald. Red brown curls. Iris the spitting image of Cooper. serene the spitting image of Ada.

"Yes. Of course" Iris smiled down at her tiny child, Iris running off, grabbing Elijah by the arm. Serena, smaller, giggled and chased after them. Serana was almost nine now.

"She said yes" Iris called out happily as Hancock led them away from the swimming pool taking them to the rides. Ada turned back around, Coopers fingers running up and down Ada's arm. C and Nora sat across from them. Nora pregnant again. C smiling wildly as his now pregnant wife. They had sworn after Elijah it wouldn't happen again but by some miracle it had. She was about five months in now, a medium sized bump showed through her blue red and white bathing suit.

"They are growing up too quickly" Ada said, her husky, raspy voice fully ghoulified now. She looked over at the gang.

"You're telling me" C chuckled

"Hey at least you finally got Nuka World" Nora chuckled. Ada showed a warm smile as she leaned back feeling the sun on her. She was pretty much full ghoul now. She'd lost her nose in a sneezing accident about three years ago when Iris brought home a cold from school. A violent sneeze attack, the thing fell off. Iris never feared her or Cooper. They had given her the best life. Nora had settled down after Elijah. Started teaching in Good Neighbour. Ada helped out from time to time. Cooper occasionally did bounties with C, just to bring in the caps. Nora and C had married about a year after Elijah was born.

Cooper looked over to Ada, with a loving look on his face. A look he shared everyday with her. Ten years married. One beautiful girl. A quiet and peaceful life. Ada's father would be proud of the woman she'd become. The family she'd created. Life was perfect. A few bumps in the road but they finally got here. A happy ending Ada never thought she'd get.

The giggles carried in the air, caught Ada's attention. Ada stood up, Cooper following as they moved to the gate, just overlooking Iris, Serana and Elijah giggling as little Nuka Cola bottles flew them around up and down in the air.

"They are so perfect" Ada said turning cuddling into Cooper.

"Our perfect little family" Cooper whispered pressing a kiss against Ada's forehead.

Chapter Text

Thirteen Years Later

Every last detail had been seen to, from the four tiered cake to the flowers, candles to bridesmaids dresses. And now the day had arrived. The day Ada and Cooper had been dreading for Twenty Three years.

Ada had spent the afternoon watching Iris be pampered and get ready for her wedding. Ada couldn't help but cry as she watched Iris turn around. She wore a floor length gown, silky, glossy. Beautiful.

Ada couldn't hold back anymore. Tears flowed.

"Mama" Iris pulled Ada in close, she could hear Iris sobbing in tune with her.

“Hey, it’s your wedding day. You shouldnt be crying" Serana said separating the, "No tears" She warned them both with a smile. Ada just couldn't believe how both their little girls had grown up to be such bright and beautiful women. Serana wore a purple knee length floral dress.

"Your dad will cry when he sees you" Ada warned

"Oh I know" Iris chuckled through her happy tears "Tell me about your wedding day mama" Iris asked as Iris and Serana sat down on the edge of the bed looking at Ada.

"Which one?" Ada chuckled

"You had two?" Serana asked surprised.

"Well yeah. The first one I'm pretty certain was just guilt. I had just found out I was pregnant with Iris. I think he wanted to make a pure woman out of me. Like the prewar gentleman he is" Ada chuckled "But the second, we had in Vegas. Surrounded by everyone. Hosted by Uncle Hancock" Ada smiled thinking about it.

"Was you scared?" Asked Iris

"Terrified. But mostly because I was pregnant' Ada chuckled "But I knew there was no one else who could love me like your father and love him like I do. We were soulmates. Born two hundred years apart" Ada smiled at her two girls. "Enough. Lets get you married. Elijah won't wait all day"

Ada was still surprised after all these years Iris was marrying Nora and C's little boy. Elijah. Even after pulling each others hair. Iris rolled in drunk one night. Just splurging that her and Elijah had been dating. Cooper was mad for a while. Until he saw how they looked at each other and then realised it was in fact love.

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Ada walked Iris down the hall, Serana following behind holding her dress. Cooper stood at the end of the hall, all suited up. A smile on his lips. As he saw his favourite three girls in the whole world.

Ada passed Iris over to him, she could see he was doing his best to hold back tears as he looked at all three of them.

"You all look beautiful" He broke down, tears falling over his cheeks.

"Oh daddy" Iris and Serana both wrapped their arms around Cooper tightly holding him. Ada overlooked, so proud of her family. The music inside the church began playing. Iris pulled back as Seranan double checked her make up. Giving her a weepy thumbs up. Ada entered first walking down the aisle, Serana following. Elijah welcomed them at the end of the aisle. He wore a dark blue suit with a tie. Hancock in his usual get up welcoming and ready to marry Iris.

Ada moved and sat beside C and Nora. Ada looked back seeing Iris and Cooper walking slowly. Iris's face hidden with a veil. Ada looked down C squeezing her hand. A smile clung to their face. How far they had all come.

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The whole thing went off without a hitch, the music. It was all Perfect. Ada's heart broke in a good way. The gang sat at a table watching Iris and Elijah have their first dance. Serana and Hancock danced beside them.Nora and C's smallest and youngest, teenage Alexander ran around the dance floor, playing with the lights.

"I think we should join them" C said taking Nora's hand. Cooper took Ada's hand leading her over to the dance floor. His hand on her lower back, her arms swooped around his neck as they swayed together. Cooper's free hand brushing the hair from Ada's face.

"We did pretty good in the end didn't we?" Ada said looking over at their little girls

"You did perfect" Cooper said pulling Ada's chin back to her "All those late nights, the illnesses, the broken hearts, the teenage hatred. You were the best mother" He said proudly "Hey you were an amazing husband. An amazing father. I would never have had this life without you Cooper" "You were my second chance...did I do good" Cooper looked down at her with pleading eyes. "You did amazing" Ada replied looking up to Cooper as they swayed together. 'The End Of The World' Playing in the background. Once Ada's sad song. Now A song that would remind Ada of this wonderful day. She turned her attention back to Cooper as he looked down at her placing a soft kiss on her lips.

"I love you" He said pressed against her lips

"I love you" She whispered looking into his eyes.

The End