I do not own or will ever own anything by Bethesda Softworks or by Obsidian and Fallout New Vegas. This is just about a regular soldiers journey through New Vegas and the NCR.

The spelling and grammar are poor at best, I know this, believe me I know. So if you can still read this then I thank you, if you can't... well stop reading.

I just wanted to thank anyone who read my story this far. I have enjoyed writing this, even though it took me a year in a half to complete. I am going to take some time off before I begin part 2. But I promise it won't be too long before I begin once again!

Chapter 27

The First Battle of Hoover Dam Part

"Good. Now I want you to really put that new blade through it's paces,"Jen said to Tristan as he was busy trying out the authentic blade and balanced grip she got for him last week.

Nodding back at her, Tristan raised his new katana and gripped it in both hands. Taking a deep breath, he suddenly slashed forward. Reversing his grip, lieutenant Walker stabbed backwards before bringing his blade back around and cut across his body.

"Evasive maneuvers!"

Immediately she watched her husband roll backwards with his blade out in front of him. Back on his feet, Tristan did a quick slash attack fallowed up by a side step kick. Jumping back, he did a series of long vertical slashes aimed at giving him space. Running forward, Tristan leaped into the air and did a high spinning attack before coming to a rest right in front of her.

"Not bad my love,"she said with an amused tone,"but let's see how much you have improved."

Grabbing the machete gladius she took from a dead centurion, Jen raised her blade at him. "Are you ready?"

Chuckling, Tristan brought his blade around to the front once more. "Always."

Even though he had a longer reach than she did, Jen's talent with edged weapons easily made it for that. Swinging her gladius high at his head, Tristan stood his ground and parried her attack. Slashing down at her at body, Jen was forced to step back in order to avoid the blow. Charging forward, she knocked his blade aside and rammed her shoulder into his gut. The force of the blow wasn't strong enough to send to the ground but it did knock him back. Twirling the machete around in her right hand, Jennifer struck out at him in a series of short but fast attacks. Catching him off balance, Jennifer gripped the machete in both of her hands and struck down at him with an over head attack. Raising his katana horizontally, Tristan was able to block the attack at the last moment.

"Having trouble dear?" He asked her before over powering her and knocked her back.

Side stepping a stab attempted, Jennifer used his own momentum against by spinning around and elbowing in the back of the head. Staggering a little bit, Tristan stopped his own momentum and turned around to face her.

"Awe...did I hurt you? It would be a shame if you were forced to spend the night at the clinic on your birthday,"she told him with a smile on her face.

Moving his neck back and forth, Tristan put two hands back on his katana. "I could think of worse places to spend my 20th birthday."

"Point."

"Your move sweetheart."

Pointing her gladius at him Jen lunged forward attempting to strike him across the chest. But instead of backing up like she had predicted, Tristan leaned back and dodged the attack. Coming down at an angle, he would have cut her across her back but at the last moment she raised her blade and blocked the blow.

Reaching out with her left leg she managed kicked his legs out from under him. Diving forward, she landed on top of him with her machete at his throat.

"Gotcha!"

"Likewise,"he said with a grin on his face.

Looking down, she spotted the edge of his blade near her heart. "Well I guess it was bound to happen sometime. But a draw doesn't meant you beat me general."

"I know. But that also means you didn't beat me either,"he replied with a quick wink before they both stood up and sheathed there weapons.

Straightening out her black pre-war blouse, Jen spotted her husband going over to the Nuka cola fridge and grab two purified bottles of water for them. Walking over to the couch, she sat down with Tristan quickly joining her.

"I must admit...this house is really coming together,"he said staring up the new walls, ceiling, and flooring they had installed last week.

"Yeah, now that there's running water and electricity we can actually start moving in here."

Nodding his head in agreement, Tristan took a big gulp of his water. "It's nice to see that all of our hard work is paying off."

"Indeed. Oh...speaking of hard work,"she said reaching inside her blue jeans front pocket and pulled out a letter,"I've got a letter from my nephew Jack March."

Jack was the kid that Patrica saved from a slavery camp before she died. True to his word, Tristan was able to pull a few strings and provide him with fake paper work and get him inside the military orphanage he grew up in Junktown.

"How is he doing?"

"Good. He only just learn how to write properly 2 week ago, or else he would have wrote sooner. But all in all he is happy and grateful to be given a second chance at life."

Giving her a warm smile, Jennifer put the letter down on the coffee table that was in front of them and gently laid her head on his shoulder. Wrapping his arm around her left shoulder, Jennifer closed her eyes and tried to relax. Normally just being around Tristan was enough but instead something else was bothering her.

"Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"Of course I am."

Knowing that Tristan hadn't bought her fake enthusiasm Jen slowly lifted her head off his shoulder to see his blue eyes staring down at her.

"I guess I can't put anything past you,"she said with a sheepish grin on her face.

"Well as your husband I would like to think I know you better than anyone else."

Giving him a soft smile, Jennifer took a deep breath. "I really not good at this, so I am just going to say it. Tristan...I am pregnant."

Immediately his facial expression changed from concerned to shocked within a second. She knew he didn't want to have kids yet, not to mention they still fighting the Ceaser's Legion for control over New Vegas. Pulling away from his slightly, Jennifer started to pull uncomfortable under his strong gaze. Right when she was about to start panicking, Tristan reached out and took his hand in hers.

"I am sorry if I took a little bit longer than you would have like to respond. But it's not everyday you found out your wife is pregnant."

"Are you okay with us having a baby? I know it's not the best time for either of us."

Chuckling, Tristan placed both of there hands on her tummy. "Maybe it's not the best time. But it wasn't the best time when we met or when we fell in love either. Trust me my assassin, I am not upset."

Looking down at their hands, Jennifer finally looked back up and smiled at him. "Thank you Tristan. To be honest...I am kinda excited to be having our baby."

"Me too."

Standing up, Jen leaned up and kissed him softly."Well Mr. Walker what do you say we go and get some dinner. I mean now that I am feeding for two we wouldn't want to keep the baby waiting."

Several hours later, Tristan and Jennifer had finished eating and were enjoying some quite time when suddenly there Ham radio came to life.

"Red Alert! Hoover Dam is under attack! I repeat Hoover Dam is under attack! All available troopers within the area to report to the Dam ASAP. All other troopers are require to maintain your positions along the Colorado. This message is set to repeat!"

Jumping up, Tristan ran over to his walkie-talkie. "Can anyone read me?"

But instead of an answer all he got was silence. "The channels are probably overloaded with the amount of radio traffic going around,"Jen said while she was busy pulling out their armor and clothes.

After putting on his military khakis, shoes, and black long sleeve shirt, Tristan walked over to there gun cabinet and grabbed there custom hunting rifles.

"You want another rifle?" He asked pulling out his marksmen carbine.

"Better safe than sorry. Pass me the assault carbine."

Grabbing the assault carbine, Tristan placed the carbine next to hers. Putting on his desert ranger armor, Tristan clipped on the gun belt that his wife had passed to him. Looking down, he grabbed his duster and put on his body before shouldering both of his rifles.

"You ready for this?"

"I've been waiting to kick Caesar's ass for over a decade, I was born ready for this."

Giving her a confident look, Tristan made sure to give Hawke some more water and a little more food before they both left exited out of there apartment. The moment they stepped outside they could hear the sounds of gunfire coming from the direction of Hoover Dam.

Right when his wife was about to start going down the steps Tristan reached out and stopped her. "Before we go. I would never ask you to sit this one out. But promise me you will be careful."

Sighing heavily, Jen finally nodded back at him. "Okay...I promise to be extra careful. But that also goes for you too general."

"Fair enough. Now lets go."

Taking highway 95 north they moved as fast as they could before reaching Boulder City 30 minutes later. The moment they entered the city the sounds of gunfire were echoing off the walls, causing the city to feel like it was vibrating. Original they were just going to be passing through the city before making there way to Hoover Dam, but instead they were stopped by ranger Jackson.

"Lieutenant Walker's...I am glad you made it,"he said standing next to a large building,"I was hoping you would come here first."

"Why's that?"

Instead of responding, Jackson waved at them to fallow him inside the building. Going inside, they were greeted by Ranger Ghost, First recon drill sergeant Amy Granger, and a 2nd lieutenant Peter Kang.

"Everyone, this is Mr. and Mrs. lieutenant Walker. They are the STF agents you have heard so much about. You will forgive me if I skip the pleasantries, but we have a more pressing problem at the moment"he said walking around to the front of the table where a map of Boulder City was laid out in front of them.

"What do you mean?" Asked Jennifer with a confused look on her face.

"Legion attacked in numbers far greater than NCR army was prepared to handle. But general Hawke was able to rally the troopers and bog them down along the Dam's walk way while inflecting heavy casualties on the enemy. It was then chief Hanlon came up with the idea to set a trap here inside Boulder City. We are going to lure the veterans and high ranking Legion into the city before blowing it sky high. This hopefully will sew chaos into there ranks and allow for Colonel Moore to lead a massive counter attack,"he said looking up from the map.

"How long do we have to hold the city for?" Asked drill sergeant Granger.

Pulling out a small detonator, commander Jackson gave them a serious look. "As long as we can. Once things get to hot, I will shoot up a flare into the sky. After that you will only have a minute to escape the city before it blows."

"Any questions?"

When no one said anything, Jackson folded up the map and tucked inside his front combat vest. "Okay lieutenant Walker and drill sergeant Granger will be charge of the first recon snipers. Me and Ghost will be in charge of rangers. 2nd lieutenant Kang will be in charge of the NCR troopers stationed in the heart of the city."

Leaving the building,Tristan and Jennifer made their way to the left side of the town where the First Recon Snipers were stationed. The right side was the Rangers responsibility, while a small division of troopers were set to hold the center of the town. The troopers were depending on First Recon and the Rangers to keep them safe long enough so that they could funnel the rest of the Legion inside the city.

Inside a building about halfway down the line, Tristan and Jennifer set up on the third floor. With 4 more snipers taking positions on the 2nd and 1st floor, they should be able to take out numerous legionaries. Taking his hunting rifle on his shoulder, lieutenant Walker slowly peered out the window and waited for the Legion to attack.

"You see anything at?" He asked to his wife, who was about 10 feet away from him leaning out her own window.

"Not yet, but there coming. I can sense it,"she said without taking her eyes of her scope.

Bringing his focus back on the small ridge where Boulder City opened up to Hoover Dam, he waited for the enemy to show it's ugly head. Using his First Recon training, Tristan slowed his breathing and did his best to calm his beating heart.

"Heads up! Here we go!" Shouted commander Jackson into the radio.

No more than a 5 seconds later lieutenant Walker spotted the first veteran legionary poke it's ugly head over the ridge. Squeezing the trigger on his rifle, he watched as his shot hit the legionary in the right temple, killing him instantly. Pulling the bolt on his rifle, Tristan released the spent cartridge and chambered another .308 bullet. Seconds later wave after wave of legionaries began pouring over the ridge and into Boulder City. Firing again he hit one veteran in throat, before shooting once more and hitting another one right in the sternum. After firing all 10 rounds from his magazine, Tristan grabbed a fresh mag from inside his duster and loaded into his rifle. Leaning out the window once more, he immediately started picking off more veterans.

All around them Caesar's Legion kept pouring over the ridge, attempting to use there superior numbers to overwhelm them. But with the Rangers and First recon divisions hitting them with a cross fire, they managed to stop the Legion from taking over the city despite there superior numbers.

"Shit!" He yelled feeling the ricochet of a round graze him on the right cheek, causing him to take his eyes off the enemy.

Moving back to his window, he could see the Legion was slowly making their way into the city despite the all causalities they were inflicting upon them. Taking aim one once more, Tristan fired and hit decanus right in the side of his head. The shot easily pierced his leather helmet and exited outside the side of his head before going inside another veteran's leg. Looking through his scope, Tristan could see wave after after of legionaries going down but only to be replaced with even more every time.

"Fucking Hell!" Shouted his wife as she went sprawling down to the ground.

Racing over to her, Tristan could see she had shot in the right shoulder. "I am okay."

Helping her back up to her feet, both lieutenant Walkers went right back to their separate windows and began firing once more. By now the enemy had moved fully into the city and had managed to take control of the north part of it. Any NCR personal who didn't retreat back were completely wiped out, leaving them in danger of being completely overwhelmed.

"We need to switch up!" Yelled Tristan to his wife.

Grabbing his marksmen carbine and Jennifer her assault carbine, they both looked at each other before leaning out the windows. In a flurry of gun fire the two snipers managed to take out 10 legionaries before being forced to peel away from there windows by another wave of veteran's intense gun fire. It was only then Tristan had found he had taken a slug to the left arm.

Ignoring the pain he was feeling, Tristan grabbed a grenade off his belt and chucked it over his head and out the window. Counting three seconds, he stood up and opened up once more. The grenade went off and torn off a veteran's legs, while shrapnel from his explosion killed another 2 more legionaries.

"Tristan on your right!" Shouted Jennifer causing him to turn to the right and see a man carrying a missile launcher get hit in the chest and face.

Turning to his left, he shot twice hitting another decanus in the throat and mouth. Moving back to his right, Tristan fired and hit another legionary in the heart before he could pick up the missile launcher that his comrade had dropped.

"Holy shit! Jen get away from the widows!" He yelled seeing four more veteran's armed with missile launchers take aim at there building.

Diving backwards, they felt the missiles impact the building at the same time. The building started to shake violently, when suddenly the level they were on collapsed. Impacting the second the weaken second floor, the crumbled third floor collapsed through second floor and finally came to stop on the first floor.

Slowly opening his eyes, Tristan felt like someone had hit him hard in the head. Despite the fact he was doubling of everything, Tristan could make out the crushed bodies of two First Recon snipers laying ahead of him. With the room still spinning, he managed to find his marksmen carbine laying 2 feet away from him. Grabbing the carbine, lieutenant Walker spotted two veterans climb through a small hole that was made when the floors collapsed. Raising his rifle up slightly, Tristan fired the remaining .556 bullets at them killing both veterans in hail of gunfire.

"Jen...where are you?" He called out weakly to his wife.

When he got no response, Tristan tried to stand up but immediately fell back down onto the ground. Looking down, he could see he pieces of metal and wood had lodge inside both of his legs below the knees. Shouldering his carbine, he slowly crawling forward desperately trying to find his wife. It was when Tristan approached the far right corner he spotted her long black hair laying in front of him.

"Jennifer say something!"

But all he got from her was a low groan. Reaching her body, Tristan suddenly saw a legionary armed with a machete charged at them. Grabbing his auto pistol out of it's holster, he fired once and hit the man right between the eyes.

Turning back around he could a metal rod had entering through assassin armor near her heart. Tristan knew if he pulled out the rod she would bleed out right then and there. Her only chance to survive from such a serious injury was for her to get medical treatment immediately. But that would mean he would have to carry her out on his injured legs right in the middle of a war zone.

"Just hang on my love! I won't let you die here!" He yelled to her even though she still hadn't open her eyes yet.

Summoning all the strength he had in his body, lieutenant Walker managed to pick her up and cradle her body in his arms. Ignoring the tremendous amount of pain he was feeling his legs and chest, Tristan went towards the back part of the building and found a whole large enough for him to fit through.

Once outside he spotted the flare lightening up the night sky. Now he only had 60 seconds before the city would be razed to the ground. Running as fast he could Tristan made his way south towards Ranger station Alpha. Directly in front of him was two veterans who had just finished cutting the head of a dead First Recon woman.

"This bitch put up a pretty good fight for someone so injured."

"Yeah, it's too bad she would have made a find sex slave,"said the other veteran with a chuckle.

Raising his auto pistol, Tristan fired once into each of legionaries back of head. Lowering his pistol, Tristan could see the dead woman was in fact his fellow Junktown friend Amy Granger. Bending down, he carefully managed to grab her dog tags out of the dead veteran's hand before he started running once again.

Reaching Boulder Beach Campground, Tristan spotted a bloody commander Jackson ranger along with Ghost and 2 other rangers hunkered down inside a ruined camper.

"Hit the deck Tristan!" Yelled Ghost just when Jackson hit the button on the detonator.

Dropping to his knees, Tristan rolled onto his back and let Jennifer lay on top of his chest right before the largest explosion he ever heard went off. Trying his best to shield his ears from the noise, he couldn't stop the ringing that was echoing inside his head. About 20 seconds later the last of the explosions had stopped going off.

Taking his hands off his ears, lieutenant Walker could feel Jen was still breathing. But with each passing second, her breaths were coming increasingly more labored than the last. Slowly he sat up, cradling her body in his arms once more.

"Tristan...I...I...love you,"she said with blood coming out the sides of her mouth.

" Don't talk. You need to save your strength."

"I...I...,"she said before coughing up even more blood.

"You hang on damn it!"he told her even as tears were streaming down his cheeks,"I love you!"

Looking down into dark blue eyes, Jennifer slowly raised her hand and touched his cheek. Smiling up at him one more time, she suddenly dropped her hand and went limp into his arms. Shaking her gently in his arms Tristan desperately tried to get her back.

"No...don't leave me! Please God don't leave me!" He said pulling her body against his and started weeping freely.

Tristan didn't know how long he sat there crying into her body, but the next thing he knew Ghost was standing over him.

"I am so sorry Tristan."

Slowly he pulled away from his dead wives body, and finally looked down at her once more. It was then in his grief he started to feel his rage beginning to boil over. Setting down her body, Tristan grabbed his marksmen carbine and tried to stand up before falling over again.

"You need to stay down lieutenant."

"No! I am going to make those fucking bastards pay for what they did to my wife!" He yelled trying once again to pull himself back up.

On his third attempt to try and get up, Tristan felt something hard hit him in the back of head sending him face first into the sand. Rolling on his back, he could see the concerned look of Ghost greeting him before he slipped into unconsciousness.

A week later Tristan had finally recovered enough from his physical injuries to be released from the medic ward at Camp McCarren. Changing into his First Recon survivor armor that had been placed inside his tent, Tristan sat down on his cot. Putting on his First Recon officer's beret, he turned his gaze down at the ground deep in thought.

Chief Hanlon's plan worked perfectly once the veteran's were wiped out at Boulder City. A combined pincer attack by Colonel Moore and Colonel Hsu attacked the confused Caeser Legion army and drove them off Hoover Dam. Retreating back, the Legion was forced abandon all territory west of the Colorado before the NCR finally stopped pursing them.

Unfortunately lieutenant general Hawke was mortally wounded during the Legion's first attack on the Dam and died of her wounds five days ago. Wanting to capitalize on the NCR's victory at Hoover Dam, President Kimball honored everyone who died and posthumously promoted Hawke to a four star general. In response to the need to have a new general to over look the army, Kimball reinstated Lee Oliver to the rank of major general and placed him in charged of New Vegas once more.

For Tristan none of this even mattered. His partner, love of his life and woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with was gone. And to make matters worse, he found out she was actual pregnant with his child. Looking down at his wedding ring on his left hand, lieutenant Walker felt empty on the inside. Like he had nothing to live for anymore. Even when his sister brought Hawke to visit him during his recovery he still felt numb about everything.

And now he was being forced to make a decision. His four year enlistment was about to come up and general Oliver wanted to know whether he planned on reenlisting or walking away. If he did reenlisted he would be promoted to 2nd lieutenant and be reassigned else where in the NCR.

Standing up, Tristan snapped on his gun belt and grabbed his two rifles off the nearby table. Leaving the tent, he slowly made his way through the mess of tents that were scattered around the pre-war airport.

"Do you need escort back to Novac lieutenant Walker?" Asked the MP who was guarding the exit.

"No corporal Mendoza. I will be fine."

"Alright sir. Be careful out there."

Offering the corporal a brief nod, Tristan exited Camp McCarren and started his journey back home. The long walk didn't help put his mind at ease at all. Instead he found his mind racing about everything that had put him into this position. Reaching his apartment, Tristan took a deep breath and opened the door to his room. Immediately he was greeted with the happy barking of his dog Hawke.

"Easy girl,"he replied giving her some attention,"I am still a little sore."

After giving the now fully grown light brown colored dog a few pets, Tristan looked around his motel room. Staring around at the room, he couldn't help but feel like it wasn't home anymore. The pictures of family and friends all seem like a distant memory to him now. Taking off his hunting rifle and marksmen carbine, Tristan spotted a small package laying on his table.

The postage was from NCR administration back in Shady Sands. Sitting down in the chair that was in front of him, lieutenant Walker opened the package. Inside was a small letter and a holodisk that fell out onto the table. Picking up the letter, he began to read it.

"Dear Mr. Walker.

We are deeply sadden at your loss of your wife lieutenant Jennifer Lisa Walker. Her fierce will and competitive desire to keep the NCR safe will be sorely missed. It is through the sacrifices like your wife that makes the NCR the great country it is today. We know nothing can bring back your lost loved one, but we here at the Northern California Republic will always honor the courage of those who die in combat. A monthly stipend of 250 dollars will be given to you for the next 4 years in honor of your wife's rank and years of service."

P.S. Your Wives holowill is also to be given to you upon her death."

Setting aside the letter, he picked up the disk that had his wives last will and testament. Holding the disk in his hands, Tristan only had two other recordings of his wife. One was of their wedding, while the second was they used to play around with during there spare time.

Taking a deep breath, lieutenant Walker walked over to his computer and put the disk inside it. After a brief few seconds of static the message started playing.

"Well if your hearing this Tristan that means I dead. I know no matter what I say it will not make this any easier on you. God knows how devastated I would feel if something ever happen to you. But I want you to know that you were the best thing to ever happen to me. When we first met all I had to look forward to was the hope that one day I could die quickly instead of suffering. But then you showed me what it meant to truly be alive. Through you I started to want more than doing my duty for Caesar. It was then...I found myself falling for you. Try as I might I couldn't shake those feelings of love from my heart. And you know what...it was the best decision I ever made."

Suddenly Jen's voice started to crack up, as he could tell she was started to cry. "Tristan, you made every second I was with you a joy. I hope in my all of my being that you are hearing this when your old. But if not, I want you to make me a promise. Never give up fighting. People like you don't come around often. And this world will be a worse place if you ever decide to stop fighting for justice. And lastly... don't ever give up on love. I know from experience how powerful that emotion can be. Your too good of a person to allow your heart to be tainted by my death. I Love you Tristan...and I always will."

Taking out the holodisk from the computer, Tristan could feel a few tears streaming down his face. Wiping them away, he felt different now. While the pain of losing her was still fresh in his memory, he some how felt like the numbness was slowly fading away. Leaning back in the chair, Hawke came over and placed her head on his lap.

"Thanks girl,"he said gently petting the dog on top of her head.

Turning to his right, he spotted a picture of the his First Recon graduating class. Smiling up at the funny and different poses they were all making, Tristan stood up. He had one more thing to do before it was time to leave. Grabbing his hunting rifle on the table, lieutenant Walker walked out of his motel room with Hawke right behind him. Going down the steps and turning right he went behind the gas station that he and Jen were building as their dream home.

Tucked away in the corner was the grave of his wife. Her coffin had already been lowered in and her headstone was raised as well. At that was left was for Tristan to finish burying the coffin. While Dan, Cass and his sister Sam offered to be help him, he felt it was best to do it on his own.

Picking up the shovel that was at his feet, Tristan started the long process of burring his dead wife. 10 minutes later he was done. Gently patting the freshly turned over soil of her grave, lieutenant Walker stared down at her headstone.

(Which read: Here lies Jennifer Lisa Walker

Born on Jan 20th 2255

Died on Jan 23rd 2277

Even in death, her courage will never be forgotten.)

"You know Jen I will never forget what you meant to me. A part of me will always love you, and I will do my best to honor everything you have taught me. But I also wanted to thank you. Your message you left for me...I think is starting the healing process. I don't know how long it will take it to get over losing you, but I wanted you to know I won't stop fighting. You were right about not giving up. There is so much pain and suffering in this world...what kind of person would I be if just walked away when I know I can make a difference. I promise to keep going, not just for myself but for you. I love you Jen. Rest easy my assassin. One day we will see each other again."

Giving the grave one last look, Tristan turned and started heading towards his next chapter in his life.

The End.

A/N: This is my second fallout story, the first one was called Dragon Knights so hopefully if you liked that you will like this one. I will try to get new chapters out every 2 weeks or earlier. If you want to review or offer help I am always willing to listen. I can take criticism too, I promise.