Artemis Files (0.5)

Epilogue

Artemis got up after having told her story from her creation and escape to now, the eve of the battle with the Institute. The soldiers and other Wastelanders that came to help take down the Institute that were aboard the Prydwen that were able to listen having become rowdy and excited at all they learned about the woman, she'd just finished telling them of the Second Battle for Hoover Dam, and earlier she'd talked about her experiences in the Capital Wasteland and fighting the Enclave. The crowd of people were talking amongst themselves too much to notice her going outside to the flight deck for some air. Thanks to the technology given to her by Doktor, K9, and Cade, she didn't need help getting around despite being blind.

Whether she knew it or not though, Arthur did see her go and he decided to follow her out. He would come across her at the very end of the deck overlooking Fort Strong, though she looked towards the airport and the rest of the Commonwealth. He would place both arms around her waist, glad that this part of the deck tended to be hidden and planting a kiss where her jawline met her neck.

"You've led an interesting life," the Arthur said as he moved his head and placed it on top of hers and eventually his eyes looked down at her though she couldn't actually look at him to see. "I didn't realize you and Sarah were so close. You know," he said with a slight pause. "You remind me of her a little bit and she used to talk about you, all the time. It's also nice to know the truth coming from you rather then some rumor someone heard from some cousin of a friend or whatever. I always wanted to meet you when I was a boy. And that Lone Wanderer...Zack...whatever happened to him?" He wouldn't go into detail about how, when he found out she was a synth, he had been deeply upset. Outraged even. She knew of course. He hadn't exactly treated her, or any synth very well for a while after she came to join and help them out and it took her slapping him among other things to really get him to change in his ways. She'd long forgiven him now and they'd worked things out but the mildest hint of guilt always stayed with him though he would never tell her that.

Artemis gained a sad look in her eye. "Yes. Because I am an honorary member of the Lyons Pride, technically I'm the last member still alive. She was, and is, dear to me and I think of her often. I even begged to go to her funeral, just as I did with her father, when I heard the news." This would make the man's arms go around her tighter. She had said as much during her stories but to hear her say it again in this context... "As far as Zack is concerned I don't know. I've heard a lot of different rumors from adventuring everywhere outside the Capital Wasteland to being abducted by aliens," she said this part with a giggle, "but nothing concrete. He's the only one not here." The man nodded. Damn near everyone Artemis had helped during her years in the Brotherhood had come to help, many of them came just on her name alone. She really did their faction proud.

Artemis wouldn't say so aloud but really she had everyone to thank for her being able to tell her stories today and in the past few weeks. J6, K9, Elizabeth, Danse, her brother Lucian, and even Maxson. For helping her get her memories back. To help her remember herself and to remember what she fought for and why. Eventually she would do so.

"You know, I really have you to thank for allowing me to tell my stories today," she would say glancing at him. The man would give her a baffled look and before he could ask why he was being thanked she continued. "You...everyone really...helped me get...well me back. I don't think I can ever repay any of you for that."

The man smiled at her before quoting something her friend Marcus said in her memories. "There are no debts between friends," he said in a whisper.

Artemis gained a teasing playful pouty look that let him know she knew what he was really talking about. "Just friends? That's all we are?" And before she knew it, he was kissing her.

"Oh, you know what I mean," he said after he pulled away, a chuckle on his lips. She couldn't see the fine details of his face anymore but it didn't matter. She could hear it in his voice no doubt.

Arthur would stay silent for a time, holding the woman of his dreams and looking at the scenery before them, bending down to kiss her once or twice. The most glaring being the Glowing Sea in the distance. The heavy rains had passed over while Artemis told her stories giving it an even eerier quality. Puddles glinted lights down on what remained of the airport tarmac, the smell of the stuff and the humidity in the air still hung heavy.

"Are you nervous," the man asked her suddenly. "About tomorrow I mean?"

That was when Artemis had finally turned to face him through those pale, clouded blue, sightless eyes. Eyes that, though they were still beautiful to him, were once the deepest blue-grey and often he found himself trying not to drown in them. He knew she could "see" him through the wraparound earrings that actually allowed her to use echolocation. That familiar mischievous glint that he'd once found annoying and would eventually come to fall in love with so much was still there though and before he knew it his hand had found its way to her cheek, rubbing it along the bone with his thumb in a comforting way as if he already knew the answer but wanted to hear her say it.

"Would you believe me if I said, 'no?'" She said and by the anxious tone in her voice clearly she doesn't believe it herself. The pair smiled wryly at each other. He knew that's probably where she would take it.

"Not at all in the slightest," he said, the tease evident in his voice and thankfully Artemis appreciates it. He hadn't realized he'd begun to inch closer to her until his lips were brushing against hers and his voice was in a whisper when he spoke again. "Is there anything I can do to ease your mind?"

Despite being with her for some time now, his heart is hammering and feels as though he's a teenage boy seeing the mesmerizingly dangerous power of a Fat Man explosion for the first time. It feels like an eternity but eventually she does answer.

"I....make me forget for a while?" She said with an equal whisper. "I'd....be lying if I said I didn't....want you," Artemis can feel the heat in her cheeks at the admission but she doesn't have time to second guess it as the man gives her his most searing kiss yet as if this is what he's been wanting to hear for a long time and and it doesn't take long until she's returning it in kind.

Artemis isn't sure when the kiss is done but the next thing she remembers is the man she loves pulling her towards his quarters where their night became wistful and pure bliss.