Chapter 86: Edge of Reality

Six stood with her arms crossed, staring out the penthouse window toward the setting sun. Deep in thought, she considered the future; the future of the NCR, the future of the Mojave and her own future. She had done her part in making the desert a better place. All that was left was to decide where to go from here.

"What's on your mind?" The gravelly voice from over her shoulder startled her.

"Everything." Six replied, eyes still on the almost set sun.

"You know you've done enough."

"Maybe."

"I'm listening, Six." Boone said as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Six sighed and leaned against her partner. "It's just… I don't know where to go from here."

"You can go anywhere you want to."

"That's just it. I don't know where I want to go."

"Don't have to go anywhere." Boone said quietly as he nuzzled into Six's neck.

"What about you? You said you wanted to reenlist."

"Been thinking about that." Boone answered. "Think there's only one person I'll ever take orders from again."

Six smile softly for a moment, then frowned. "The Legion's been pushed back almost to Flagstaff. If you want to rejoin the fight…"

"There's more to the world then just the Legion."

Six pulled out of Boone's arms to turn around and look at him. "But I promised you revenge."

Boone smiled softly at Six's expression. "We killed Vulpus Inculta. We killed Legate Lanius. We even killed Caesar. Think you fulfilled that promise. Think I got my revenge."

"But-"

"No." Boone interrupted sternly. "That's not what I want anymore."

"Then what-" Six began.

"Do you even have to ask?" Boone interrupted. "I want you, Six. Where ever you go, I'll follow. Whatever you do, you won't do alone. And if I wasn't such a coward, I'd make it official. I'd find a ring and…" Boone trailed off.

"You're not a coward, Boone. You're the strongest person I've ever known." Six said as she pulled him into a hug.

"Then why can't I do it?" He whispered as he hugged her back.

"Because it still hurts. I understand." They stood in silence for a few moments, simply holding each other.

"We could settle down here." Boone finally broke the silence.

"'Settle down'?!" Six said defiantly. "Who said anything about settling down? I've heard about this town nearby, Westside I think. They're trying to get access to additional water but they don't have much to offer in exchange. There's also a group trying to set up a settlement in Cottonwood Cove. I'm sure they could use a hand. Also there's been these weird broadcasts that my Pip-boy keeps picking up… Boone, what's the Sierra Madre?"

Boone threw his head back and laughed. Only his partner would set her sights as high as the infamous Sierra Madre.

~Fin