HOME | DD

Description



    The cold nipped at his skin as he watched waves crash against the jagged shoreline, absently running his fingers along the rough stock of his rifle. Occasionally a vertibird would interrupt the scene when it fizzed by but Wolfe couldn’t really complain. He was just glad to get out of Tilden for a while. It was too stuffy even in the cold. Mildew, gun oil and leather were three scents that couldn’t fit in such small spaces. But, that was being a bit picky, he knew all too well, things could be much worse. He had a place to stay, not necessarily a home, a good job helping people and a loving girlfriend. But Wolfe wasn’t a very still person.
    He was happy but being on the road so long made him anxious now, like he shouldn’t be relaxed like this. That flurry of anxiety that had driven him around New York every few years. It made it hard to breathe and he needed moments like this to remind himself that he wasn’t a loner with nothing to lose anymore. It was scary but he wouldn’t change it for the world. With his mind cleared again, he shifted to stand, he’d be okay for another day. Unfortunately, this would be tested in the most abrupt way, Wolfe hardly had time to twist around when the dry grass behind him shifted before a cloth was pressed to his mouth, vision blurring painfully and everything went black.

“I’m telling you, Mateo, we’ll make tons of money selling Mentats! They’re so easy to make! Just need a little garden and we’ve got all the flavors down.” Mateo rolled his eyes, “Uh, no. We make plenty of money and then we’ve got the craziest addicts robbing us next week.” He gave her a loving shove and leaned back to counter the weight on the raft. “It’s a good idea.” “Brandis will have a cow, no.” Kelly huffed, twirling a screw in between her fingers. “You’re no fun.” But she couldn’t hide the mischievous smirk as she rocked the raft, knocking him into the water.
Wolfe let out a ragged gasp as ice cold water splashed his face, his head hurt and his feet were numb. He couldn’t move his arms when he went to wipe his face and finally took in his surroundings. He was upside down, somewhere in a forest and- “Ack!” A boot was pushed into his jaw and he swayed a bit. A very.. Little boot… He twisted his head only to get the same boot to the forehead. Yanking his head out the way, he glared for a moment before a look of surprise took its place. A small girl was lounging in a chair with an air of smug boredom, completely unbothered by him. “Look who’s alive!” She gave a cheek look before looking down at the sword he kept, his rifle left forgotten on the ground next to her. “Hey, that’s not yours!” “It is now. What’re you gonna do about it?” He frowned, struggling against the ropes on his arms while she stared blankly. He heard the branch above him crack and gave a smug look of his own before unceremoniously falling into a pile on the ground. “You’re still tied up. I win.” He gave a little sneer, raising his hands up! “Don’t think so, little one.” She glared as he freed his legs and stood up. He fussed over his rifle, scowling at the new scratches and dusting off the dirt.
     “Why was I tied up?” “Eh, big boss said no one was supposed to touch you. Paid a lotta caps to get you here.” Wolfe looked down at her. “Here?” She rolled her eyes. “Only the best raider camp in all of Maine!” He paled a bit. “Ah.” He groaned, sinking back against the tree he’d been trapped on just moments ago. “Great, fantastic… Any idea why?” She shook her head, watching the sword glint in the light. He opened his mouth to tell her not to play with it but shouting split the quiet. “Hey! Dammit! Jazz let him go!” The girl jumped up. “Uh-oh, we need to go!” She grabbed the strap of his rifle and dragged them off, running through the trees. “Great.. Just great.. We’re both dead if they get us now!” The young girl grumbled “I know a place to hide for now but we need to be fast.”



    “So, Jazz, huh?” “Jasmine. I hate being called Jazz.” Jasmine gave him a stern look and he stifled a laugh. “Sorry, sorry.. Jasmine. I’m Mateo.” Her scowl softened and she shrugged. “Whatever…” The cornershop was a nice enough place. Windows still in good condition, wasn’t as cold. Wolfe checked himself over, then he was raiding the shelves of anything useful. Jasmine was pacing around with a stuffed bear, worrying the fabric of her jacket. She kept muttering to herself, peering out the windows. “How the hell.. Aah… What am I gonna do now?!” She paused and looked over at him while he busied himself with eating food that should not have been preserved that well. “Hey, where are you from?” He glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. “New York, why?” Jasmine had a merchant’s grin, as if she’d made a very one sided deal. “You wanna get back home, right? I can get’cha there. Well… I know someone who can.” He leaned on the counter and squinted at her. “What’s in it for you?” She turned her nose up at him. “Nothing.” “Hmph.” “Okay, okay… I just need someone to watch my back. I gotta get outta here and soon!” He crossed his arms. “I keep you safe and you get me to New York?” She nodded. “And how are you getting me to New York?” Jasmine grumbled and looked around for a bit. “I know a guy…” “A guy…?” “He has a boat. A fast one. He’ll want caps though…” Wolfe grumbled, “Of course… deal…” The smaller grinned, proudly smoothing back her fluorescent mohawk. “Good. Good…”

     Morning came quietly, Jasmine slept on top of a cabinet, hidden away and far from the cold linoleum floor. Wolfe had busied himself all night with finding bullets and a trenchcoat. It would do for now. Anything was better than the shirt he wore. Once he woke the girl, they set off, traveling through the abandoned little shopping centers of the midland. They dodged a few raiders and Wolfe was mostly distracted as they wandered. What was happening back home now? If Dhalia hadn’t noticed his absence last night, she knew now… What was going through her mind? And his trainees… They were probably sitting in uncomfortable silence as their routine was upended.
Days turned into weeks as raiders seemed to flood the coast. They were driven back inland and Jasmine grew evermore restless. “There’s a junkyard nearby. We’ll be safe there. Run by nice people.” She was tripping over herself every other step and Wolfe could tell she was cold. With a sigh he picked her up despite the protests of her insisting she wasn’t a baby. “Just tell me where to go.” “Fine… whatever.” They had to camp for the night again. It was getting colder. Too cold to handle the nights. Wolfe let his eyes close for a moment, Jasmine tucked in his coat while he made sure the fire didn’t go out of hand. He needed to get home. If ice set over, they weren’t going anywhere.

The next day seemed pretty routine now. They walked, hid, walked more, ate canned food and then a storm hit. They took shelter in a bus this time. Jasmine pretended to drive it while Wolfe counted their supplies. A gunshot filled the air and he shot up, eyes darting about. Jasmine was hiding right away, this was a well-rehearsed event for her. Wolfe suspected she had nightmares of what would happen if they were caught. Leaving his rifle, he instead held the hilt of his sword and pressed to the door. When it was slid open, he shoved the blade through a raider’s chest and landed on the asphalt outside. Just one this time. They were losing interest in them. Maybe. Jasmine peeked out before he told her they had to move again. They needed to push through the last of the storm. She was safe under his coat again as they finally made it to the junkyard. Turrets were trained on them but no bullets came. Jasmine ran out before he could stop her, through the gate and into a shed where a young woman shined the visor of a power armor helmet. He hated sheds. The woman hugged Jasmine before rushing her into the main building beckoning Wolfe in too. He closed the door behind him and shrugged off his coat before slumping to the floor with a sigh. She came over, plopping a towel on his head with a smile. “There’s some clothes in the other room, when you’ve got the energy go get changed. You’re safe here, I’m Roxie by the way.” He gave a tired smile, “Wolfe.” He managed to make it to the other room, changing into very welcome dry clothes before falling asleep on the spare mattress left there.

“I told the old man last night, he said that he can get you and your new friend to New York if you bring his daughter with you. She just needs to get there before.. You know…” “Know what?” “Nevermind Jasmine…”

Wolfe woke up to a bright-eyed woman poking his face. “Hi! I’m Seraphina!” He grumbled and rolled over to face away from her. “Hey! I’m your ticket home, you’d better be nice to me!” He huffed and rolled on his back again. “What’re you talking about?” “You, my friend are my bodyguard until we get to the coast! That’s how you’re paying for the trip.” She giggled a bit as he got up, looky rather grouchy about being woken up and she followed behind him as he went to find Jasmine. When he found her, she was in newer clothes too, a bit big but she’d grow into them, he was sure. She was sitting on the floor shoving pancakes in her mouth while Roxie combed her wild hair. She gave him a half-hearted wave before focusing back on the food in front of her while Roxie gave a little smile. “I feel like I’m in a sorority.” “Aw, don’t be that way, we’re a fun bunch here. Ser’s already filled you in, hm?” Seraphina was clinging to his arm with a giddy smile. “Sure did!” “Good, good. We’ve got you three a lovely way to the coast, Brotherhood soldiers with a few debts to pay off have already cleared the way for you!” Wolfe nodded stiffly. “How long will we be on the road now?” “Oh, not long? You need to be there- ah, You’ll be there in a week or so.” He narrowed his eyes but shrugged it off. “We should head out then?” “Yes, you and Ser go ahead. I’ll bring Jasmine with me. It’ll let me make sure no one’s following you.” Seraphina let go of him and rushed off to grab her bag, before looking at him expectantly by the door. “I.. Jasmine, you alright with this?” “Hm? Oh, yeah. I’ll be fine! You two be the lab rats.” Well, that was a yes, he supposed.

Ser seemed to get tired easily. His usual brisk pace had to be held back to keep her by his side. He soon learned from Ser that they weren't exactly in Maine. Jasmine had messed up telling him that. He’d gotten stuck on an island which meant a boat wasn’t just a fast option. It was his only option. Their nights were filled with road stories and their days full of her surprising optimism. He could see the ocean now that they were out of the thick of the trees as he set up camp for the night. “Hey, Wolfe? Do you have any kids? You seem like the type.” Wolfe didn’t move for a moment, staring into the fire. “Yeah, I… I did.” “Oh.” She sat up. From her makeshift bed. “What happened?” “I don’t want to talk about it.” He stood up, looking out at the ocean. Lily used to look forward to going to the beach. They never did. “Well. I… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. It’s just.. I’m pregnant and anytime soon I’ll have to protect this little life. I… I don’t know what I’m doing.” He didn’t look at her, just kept staring at the water. “I didn’t either. You never do.” Seraphina nodded, lying back down. “I see… I’m sorry.” She fidgeted before laying on her side with a hand on her stomach. Her mind wasn’t at ease like she’d hoped. Wolfe didn’t sleep that night.
They kept a quicker pace the next day. “Her name was Lily, wasn’t it?” Wolfe stopped and Seraphina bumped into him as she was caught off guard. “I’m, sorry- I saw it on your rifle and I- Oh.. I should just stay quiet.” They kept going, a pace a little too fast for both of them.
The next night went better, they were near a little town and spent the night looking over the warm lights and little rafts. She didn’t wear the baggy cloak she’d worn the whole time he’d known her and he could see ornate scars on her hands. The fire was too warm for all those layers. She was intently looking through a book too fast to be reading it. When Seraphina noticed him, she smiled. “I’m looking for names!” Wolfe settled next to her. “Anything good?” She shook her head. “None of them fit…” She had a little note full of flower names and his heart sank a bit. She’d written Lily with stars next to it, hastily scratched it out and written it smaller where it was barely readable. “The pictures are great but they don’t really tell me much.” She continued. “But, I know that there’s gotta be something.” He glanced at her scars and she caught his eye. “They’re little promises, you know. So I don’t forget people.” “Really?” Ser nodded and struggled to sit up, needing his help. “Maybe.. Nevermind..” “What?” She shrugged. “Maybe it’ll make you feel better? I’m really good at it and we’ve got med-x. You won’t feel a thing!” He hesitated before nodding. “I think I’d like that. I have a lot of bad scars. Never thought I could have good ones.” She smiled, “Tell me what you want and I’ll have it all ready before morning.” She busied herself with sketching all night, shooing Wolfe off to sleep.
    She didn’t let him see the drawing until the next night. They’d passed the town after getting some supplies. It was getting tougher for Ser to travel like this, she needed to be home soon. That night, she was on a mission, Wolfe watched as she intently cut the design into his arm, smiling. It was an odd thing to smile about but they both did. It was quiet and the sky was clear, he’d practically forgotten there were raiders hunting him down.
     He was more sore in the morning, his skin not that happy about what it had gone through. But, he was okay with it. Bandages were changed and they were on the home stretch. Ser leaned on him as they made it to the beach at last. She smiled up at him, pulling him into the little hut where they were both showered with attention as an old man checked them over. “You made it! And just in time too! Certainly it’ll be any day now.” he puttered around, fixing a bed that clearly had lots of care put into it. “I’ll do all of that, you catch up with your daughter.” Wolfe smiled, taking over, making sure everything was ready. Towels, med-x, her book with the names, meticulously cleaned baby clothes, it looked like a shrine compared to the rest of the wastes.
    When he stepped out of the little home, he was tackled by a little form, he could smell blood and he recognized the green hair. “Jasmine? What happened to you? Are you hurt?” He held her and she didn’t answer. She was just cry into his shoulder. “Hey, I’ve got you, what happened?” He picked her up, walking along the beach and letting her breathe. Jasmine shook her head and sniffled. “They found us! Roxie distracted them while I got away but-” She let out another sob and he sighed, rubbing her back. “Oh, Jasmine…” He rested his chin on her head. “I’m sorry.” She rubbed her eyes and slumped on him and he carefully brought her to the others. They set up a little spot for her to sleep on the boat after she’d tired herself out and he didn’t leave her side for a while. At least, not until the old man was frantically tugging him toward the hut. “What’s happening? What’s wrong?” He seemed beside himself, fumbling over words. “It’s time! It’s time! I need you to do it!” His mind went blank as he was put in another situation where none of his expertise mattered. Somehow, someway, he’d done it. Seraphina was holding a baby girl before he’d fallen in a heap on the floor.
    He heard laughter before he opened his eyes again. He was on one side of the bed, serving as a guardrail for Seraphina while she gave him an amused look. “It’s almost like you just had a baby.” “Don’t laugh at me.” “I already did.” He hummed and sat up, smiling down at the little bundle in her arms. “I did a good job, you can’t complain.” “Oh, of course. She’s wonderful but I won’t give you the credit for that.” He chuckled and got up off the bed. “Need anything?” She rolled her eyes. “If I have to hear those words ever again I’ll turn feral.” He flicked her in the forehead. “How’s Jasmine?” “Oh, she’s been the best little helper. Especially with a name for this one here.” She nodded to the baby in her arms. “I refused to name her green so we settled on Jade.” Wolfe smiled, “Jade’s a perfect name.” He stretched his arms and she giggled. “I should help your father with the boat. We’ll be off soon, I bet.” Seraphina looked away. “Actually, I…” He looked over at her. “What?” She looked down at her daughter intently. “I wanted to know, would you stay here? I don’t want to raise her by myself and, you’ve been amazing. I just know you’d be a great dad.” Wolfe rubbed the back of his neck. “I.. I can’t do that. I need to get home.” She looked up at him in determination. “Then I’ll go with you! New York isn’t far. Please, Wolfe.” There was no conflict in his mind. “No. I can’t do that, I have someone at home already. I’m taken, Ser-” “Fine! Just.. just go..” He nodded and left, spotting Jasmine just outside. She seemed uneasy.
    “What’s going on?” “It’s nothing, Jasmine. Don’t worry.” He ruffled her hair and helped Ser’s father pack supplies for their journey. “Will she be okay by herself?” He smiled, “Oh, she’ll be fine. A settler just arrived to bring her supplies. They’ll bring her to town tonight to celebrate little Jade.” Wolfe nodded stiffly. “Good, good…”

They set sail not long after, Wolfe’s sadness about the falling out with Seraphina replaced with the buzzing excitement of being back home. He certainly had a story to tell Dhalia. Jasmine napped on his chest, lulled by the waves after asking him countless questions about the ‘nice robot lady’. He kept an eye out for trouble and kept her away from the spray of the ocean. His eyes lit up to see that stuffy base again. Oh, he’d missed it. The need for movement gone, this time it felt he’d be okay for good. Maybe even more than okay. Jasmine hid under his coat, holding onto his leg as they made their way into Tilden, holding her bear against her chest. He’d be better than okay, he was sure of it.

Description



    The cold nipped at his skin as he watched waves crash against the jagged shoreline, absently running his fingers along the rough stock of his rifle. Occasionally a vertibird would interrupt the scene when it fizzed by but Wolfe couldn’t really complain. He was just glad to get out of Tilden for a while. It was too stuffy even in the cold. Mildew, gun oil and leather were three scents that couldn’t fit in such small spaces. But, that was being a bit picky, he knew all too well, things could be much worse. He had a place to stay, not necessarily a home, a good job helping people and a loving girlfriend. But Wolfe wasn’t a very still person.
    He was happy but being on the road so long made him anxious now, like he shouldn’t be relaxed like this. That flurry of anxiety that had driven him around New York every few years. It made it hard to breathe and he needed moments like this to remind himself that he wasn’t a loner with nothing to lose anymore. It was scary but he wouldn’t change it for the world. With his mind cleared again, he shifted to stand, he’d be okay for another day. Unfortunately, this would be tested in the most abrupt way, Wolfe hardly had time to twist around when the dry grass behind him shifted before a cloth was pressed to his mouth, vision blurring painfully and everything went black.

“I’m telling you, Mateo, we’ll make tons of money selling Mentats! They’re so easy to make! Just need a little garden and we’ve got all the flavors down.” Mateo rolled his eyes, “Uh, no. We make plenty of money and then we’ve got the craziest addicts robbing us next week.” He gave her a loving shove and leaned back to counter the weight on the raft. “It’s a good idea.” “Brandis will have a cow, no.” Kelly huffed, twirling a screw in between her fingers. “You’re no fun.” But she couldn’t hide the mischievous smirk as she rocked the raft, knocking him into the water.
Wolfe let out a ragged gasp as ice cold water splashed his face, his head hurt and his feet were numb. He couldn’t move his arms when he went to wipe his face and finally took in his surroundings. He was upside down, somewhere in a forest and- “Ack!” A boot was pushed into his jaw and he swayed a bit. A very.. Little boot… He twisted his head only to get the same boot to the forehead. Yanking his head out the way, he glared for a moment before a look of surprise took its place. A small girl was lounging in a chair with an air of smug boredom, completely unbothered by him. “Look who’s alive!” She gave a cheek look before looking down at the sword he kept, his rifle left forgotten on the ground next to her. “Hey, that’s not yours!” “It is now. What’re you gonna do about it?” He frowned, struggling against the ropes on his arms while she stared blankly. He heard the branch above him crack and gave a smug look of his own before unceremoniously falling into a pile on the ground. “You’re still tied up. I win.” He gave a little sneer, raising his hands up! “Don’t think so, little one.” She glared as he freed his legs and stood up. He fussed over his rifle, scowling at the new scratches and dusting off the dirt.
     “Why was I tied up?” “Eh, big boss said no one was supposed to touch you. Paid a lotta caps to get you here.” Wolfe looked down at her. “Here?” She rolled her eyes. “Only the best raider camp in all of Maine!” He paled a bit. “Ah.” He groaned, sinking back against the tree he’d been trapped on just moments ago. “Great, fantastic… Any idea why?” She shook her head, watching the sword glint in the light. He opened his mouth to tell her not to play with it but shouting split the quiet. “Hey! Dammit! Jazz let him go!” The girl jumped up. “Uh-oh, we need to go!” She grabbed the strap of his rifle and dragged them off, running through the trees. “Great.. Just great.. We’re both dead if they get us now!” The young girl grumbled “I know a place to hide for now but we need to be fast.”



    “So, Jazz, huh?” “Jasmine. I hate being called Jazz.” Jasmine gave him a stern look and he stifled a laugh. “Sorry, sorry.. Jasmine. I’m Mateo.” Her scowl softened and she shrugged. “Whatever…” The cornershop was a nice enough place. Windows still in good condition, wasn’t as cold. Wolfe checked himself over, then he was raiding the shelves of anything useful. Jasmine was pacing around with a stuffed bear, worrying the fabric of her jacket. She kept muttering to herself, peering out the windows. “How the hell.. Aah… What am I gonna do now?!” She paused and looked over at him while he busied himself with eating food that should not have been preserved that well. “Hey, where are you from?” He glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. “New York, why?” Jasmine had a merchant’s grin, as if she’d made a very one sided deal. “You wanna get back home, right? I can get’cha there. Well… I know someone who can.” He leaned on the counter and squinted at her. “What’s in it for you?” She turned her nose up at him. “Nothing.” “Hmph.” “Okay, okay… I just need someone to watch my back. I gotta get outta here and soon!” He crossed his arms. “I keep you safe and you get me to New York?” She nodded. “And how are you getting me to New York?” Jasmine grumbled and looked around for a bit. “I know a guy…” “A guy…?” “He has a boat. A fast one. He’ll want caps though…” Wolfe grumbled, “Of course… deal…” The smaller grinned, proudly smoothing back her fluorescent mohawk. “Good. Good…”

     Morning came quietly, Jasmine slept on top of a cabinet, hidden away and far from the cold linoleum floor. Wolfe had busied himself all night with finding bullets and a trenchcoat. It would do for now. Anything was better than the shirt he wore. Once he woke the girl, they set off, traveling through the abandoned little shopping centers of the midland. They dodged a few raiders and Wolfe was mostly distracted as they wandered. What was happening back home now? If Dhalia hadn’t noticed his absence last night, she knew now… What was going through her mind? And his trainees… They were probably sitting in uncomfortable silence as their routine was upended.
Days turned into weeks as raiders seemed to flood the coast. They were driven back inland and Jasmine grew evermore restless. “There’s a junkyard nearby. We’ll be safe there. Run by nice people.” She was tripping over herself every other step and Wolfe could tell she was cold. With a sigh he picked her up despite the protests of her insisting she wasn’t a baby. “Just tell me where to go.” “Fine… whatever.” They had to camp for the night again. It was getting colder. Too cold to handle the nights. Wolfe let his eyes close for a moment, Jasmine tucked in his coat while he made sure the fire didn’t go out of hand. He needed to get home. If ice set over, they weren’t going anywhere.

The next day seemed pretty routine now. They walked, hid, walked more, ate canned food and then a storm hit. They took shelter in a bus this time. Jasmine pretended to drive it while Wolfe counted their supplies. A gunshot filled the air and he shot up, eyes darting about. Jasmine was hiding right away, this was a well-rehearsed event for her. Wolfe suspected she had nightmares of what would happen if they were caught. Leaving his rifle, he instead held the hilt of his sword and pressed to the door. When it was slid open, he shoved the blade through a raider’s chest and landed on the asphalt outside. Just one this time. They were losing interest in them. Maybe. Jasmine peeked out before he told her they had to move again. They needed to push through the last of the storm. She was safe under his coat again as they finally made it to the junkyard. Turrets were trained on them but no bullets came. Jasmine ran out before he could stop her, through the gate and into a shed where a young woman shined the visor of a power armor helmet. He hated sheds. The woman hugged Jasmine before rushing her into the main building beckoning Wolfe in too. He closed the door behind him and shrugged off his coat before slumping to the floor with a sigh. She came over, plopping a towel on his head with a smile. “There’s some clothes in the other room, when you’ve got the energy go get changed. You’re safe here, I’m Roxie by the way.” He gave a tired smile, “Wolfe.” He managed to make it to the other room, changing into very welcome dry clothes before falling asleep on the spare mattress left there.

“I told the old man last night, he said that he can get you and your new friend to New York if you bring his daughter with you. She just needs to get there before.. You know…” “Know what?” “Nevermind Jasmine…”

Wolfe woke up to a bright-eyed woman poking his face. “Hi! I’m Seraphina!” He grumbled and rolled over to face away from her. “Hey! I’m your ticket home, you’d better be nice to me!” He huffed and rolled on his back again. “What’re you talking about?” “You, my friend are my bodyguard until we get to the coast! That’s how you’re paying for the trip.” She giggled a bit as he got up, looky rather grouchy about being woken up and she followed behind him as he went to find Jasmine. When he found her, she was in newer clothes too, a bit big but she’d grow into them, he was sure. She was sitting on the floor shoving pancakes in her mouth while Roxie combed her wild hair. She gave him a half-hearted wave before focusing back on the food in front of her while Roxie gave a little smile. “I feel like I’m in a sorority.” “Aw, don’t be that way, we’re a fun bunch here. Ser’s already filled you in, hm?” Seraphina was clinging to his arm with a giddy smile. “Sure did!” “Good, good. We’ve got you three a lovely way to the coast, Brotherhood soldiers with a few debts to pay off have already cleared the way for you!” Wolfe nodded stiffly. “How long will we be on the road now?” “Oh, not long? You need to be there- ah, You’ll be there in a week or so.” He narrowed his eyes but shrugged it off. “We should head out then?” “Yes, you and Ser go ahead. I’ll bring Jasmine with me. It’ll let me make sure no one’s following you.” Seraphina let go of him and rushed off to grab her bag, before looking at him expectantly by the door. “I.. Jasmine, you alright with this?” “Hm? Oh, yeah. I’ll be fine! You two be the lab rats.” Well, that was a yes, he supposed.

Ser seemed to get tired easily. His usual brisk pace had to be held back to keep her by his side. He soon learned from Ser that they weren't exactly in Maine. Jasmine had messed up telling him that. He’d gotten stuck on an island which meant a boat wasn’t just a fast option. It was his only option. Their nights were filled with road stories and their days full of her surprising optimism. He could see the ocean now that they were out of the thick of the trees as he set up camp for the night. “Hey, Wolfe? Do you have any kids? You seem like the type.” Wolfe didn’t move for a moment, staring into the fire. “Yeah, I… I did.” “Oh.” She sat up. From her makeshift bed. “What happened?” “I don’t want to talk about it.” He stood up, looking out at the ocean. Lily used to look forward to going to the beach. They never did. “Well. I… I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. It’s just.. I’m pregnant and anytime soon I’ll have to protect this little life. I… I don’t know what I’m doing.” He didn’t look at her, just kept staring at the water. “I didn’t either. You never do.” Seraphina nodded, lying back down. “I see… I’m sorry.” She fidgeted before laying on her side with a hand on her stomach. Her mind wasn’t at ease like she’d hoped. Wolfe didn’t sleep that night.
They kept a quicker pace the next day. “Her name was Lily, wasn’t it?” Wolfe stopped and Seraphina bumped into him as she was caught off guard. “I’m, sorry- I saw it on your rifle and I- Oh.. I should just stay quiet.” They kept going, a pace a little too fast for both of them.
The next night went better, they were near a little town and spent the night looking over the warm lights and little rafts. She didn’t wear the baggy cloak she’d worn the whole time he’d known her and he could see ornate scars on her hands. The fire was too warm for all those layers. She was intently looking through a book too fast to be reading it. When Seraphina noticed him, she smiled. “I’m looking for names!” Wolfe settled next to her. “Anything good?” She shook her head. “None of them fit…” She had a little note full of flower names and his heart sank a bit. She’d written Lily with stars next to it, hastily scratched it out and written it smaller where it was barely readable. “The pictures are great but they don’t really tell me much.” She continued. “But, I know that there’s gotta be something.” He glanced at her scars and she caught his eye. “They’re little promises, you know. So I don’t forget people.” “Really?” Ser nodded and struggled to sit up, needing his help. “Maybe.. Nevermind..” “What?” She shrugged. “Maybe it’ll make you feel better? I’m really good at it and we’ve got med-x. You won’t feel a thing!” He hesitated before nodding. “I think I’d like that. I have a lot of bad scars. Never thought I could have good ones.” She smiled, “Tell me what you want and I’ll have it all ready before morning.” She busied herself with sketching all night, shooing Wolfe off to sleep.
    She didn’t let him see the drawing until the next night. They’d passed the town after getting some supplies. It was getting tougher for Ser to travel like this, she needed to be home soon. That night, she was on a mission, Wolfe watched as she intently cut the design into his arm, smiling. It was an odd thing to smile about but they both did. It was quiet and the sky was clear, he’d practically forgotten there were raiders hunting him down.
     He was more sore in the morning, his skin not that happy about what it had gone through. But, he was okay with it. Bandages were changed and they were on the home stretch. Ser leaned on him as they made it to the beach at last. She smiled up at him, pulling him into the little hut where they were both showered with attention as an old man checked them over. “You made it! And just in time too! Certainly it’ll be any day now.” he puttered around, fixing a bed that clearly had lots of care put into it. “I’ll do all of that, you catch up with your daughter.” Wolfe smiled, taking over, making sure everything was ready. Towels, med-x, her book with the names, meticulously cleaned baby clothes, it looked like a shrine compared to the rest of the wastes.
    When he stepped out of the little home, he was tackled by a little form, he could smell blood and he recognized the green hair. “Jasmine? What happened to you? Are you hurt?” He held her and she didn’t answer. She was just cry into his shoulder. “Hey, I’ve got you, what happened?” He picked her up, walking along the beach and letting her breathe. Jasmine shook her head and sniffled. “They found us! Roxie distracted them while I got away but-” She let out another sob and he sighed, rubbing her back. “Oh, Jasmine…” He rested his chin on her head. “I’m sorry.” She rubbed her eyes and slumped on him and he carefully brought her to the others. They set up a little spot for her to sleep on the boat after she’d tired herself out and he didn’t leave her side for a while. At least, not until the old man was frantically tugging him toward the hut. “What’s happening? What’s wrong?” He seemed beside himself, fumbling over words. “It’s time! It’s time! I need you to do it!” His mind went blank as he was put in another situation where none of his expertise mattered. Somehow, someway, he’d done it. Seraphina was holding a baby girl before he’d fallen in a heap on the floor.
    He heard laughter before he opened his eyes again. He was on one side of the bed, serving as a guardrail for Seraphina while she gave him an amused look. “It’s almost like you just had a baby.” “Don’t laugh at me.” “I already did.” He hummed and sat up, smiling down at the little bundle in her arms. “I did a good job, you can’t complain.” “Oh, of course. She’s wonderful but I won’t give you the credit for that.” He chuckled and got up off the bed. “Need anything?” She rolled her eyes. “If I have to hear those words ever again I’ll turn feral.” He flicked her in the forehead. “How’s Jasmine?” “Oh, she’s been the best little helper. Especially with a name for this one here.” She nodded to the baby in her arms. “I refused to name her green so we settled on Jade.” Wolfe smiled, “Jade’s a perfect name.” He stretched his arms and she giggled. “I should help your father with the boat. We’ll be off soon, I bet.” Seraphina looked away. “Actually, I…” He looked over at her. “What?” She looked down at her daughter intently. “I wanted to know, would you stay here? I don’t want to raise her by myself and, you’ve been amazing. I just know you’d be a great dad.” Wolfe rubbed the back of his neck. “I.. I can’t do that. I need to get home.” She looked up at him in determination. “Then I’ll go with you! New York isn’t far. Please, Wolfe.” There was no conflict in his mind. “No. I can’t do that, I have someone at home already. I’m taken, Ser-” “Fine! Just.. just go..” He nodded and left, spotting Jasmine just outside. She seemed uneasy.
    “What’s going on?” “It’s nothing, Jasmine. Don’t worry.” He ruffled her hair and helped Ser’s father pack supplies for their journey. “Will she be okay by herself?” He smiled, “Oh, she’ll be fine. A settler just arrived to bring her supplies. They’ll bring her to town tonight to celebrate little Jade.” Wolfe nodded stiffly. “Good, good…”

They set sail not long after, Wolfe’s sadness about the falling out with Seraphina replaced with the buzzing excitement of being back home. He certainly had a story to tell Dhalia. Jasmine napped on his chest, lulled by the waves after asking him countless questions about the ‘nice robot lady’. He kept an eye out for trouble and kept her away from the spray of the ocean. His eyes lit up to see that stuffy base again. Oh, he’d missed it. The need for movement gone, this time it felt he’d be okay for good. Maybe even more than okay. Jasmine hid under his coat, holding onto his leg as they made their way into Tilden, holding her bear against her chest. He’d be better than okay, he was sure of it.