Ad Victoriam *Being re-written and edited*

Chapter 3

"So what's going on with you and Elder Maxson?" Danse spoke up, grabbing the ammo from the dead raider at his feet.

Alyssa simply chuckled, wiping the blood from her forehead with a rag. "I've not the slightest idea what you're talking about." She responded, crouching down beside another raider corpse and beginning to sift through the bags. 

"Bullshit. The Elder doesn't come off the Prydwen just to say goodbye to a knight." The paladin walked to her side, handing over a few cases of ammo for her to place in her bag. 

"Wow, Danse. Nice to know I'm just a lone Knight to you. After everything I've helped you with." She crossed her arms, zipping her backpack up. "Besides...I'm still trying to process everything that happened with..." 

Danse put his hand up. "Stop. I know. Look, I'm sorry for how I worded that, but it's true. I've never once seen Elder Maxson leave the Prydwen...Ever." 

Alyssa bit her bottom lip for a moment before she sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. "Look, I'm assuring you that me and Elder Maxson aren't up to anything. Besides, you know how I feel about him. I think he's nothing but a self-centered, arrogant prick." She smiled a little. 

The Paladin growled a little. "How dare you say that about him? Everything Maxson is doing, he's doing for the good of the Commonwealth." He spoke, a defensive tone in his voice. 

She couldn't help but laugh at her friends reaction. Sometimes, it made her think that the Paladin was the one who was really in love with the Brotherhood leader. "Danse, if I didn't know any better, you're the one in love with Elder Maxson. It seems like you have a constant hard-on for the guy." She joked. 

Danse widened his eyes a bit, his cheeks flustering up once again. "Knight! That is highly inappropriate!" He shouted, glaring at her. "How dare you speak about your higher ups in such a disgusting way?!" 

She could only shake her head at this point. "That. That is why everyone thinks you have a hard-on for Elder Maxson." She spoke, walking towards the now abandoned raider camp, leaning down to poke at the weak fire. 

Danse opened his mouth to protest once again before he crossed his arms and looked away. "I just think that Elder Maxson is a great leader and mentor. He trained me into what I am today." 

"Whatever you say." She responded, sighing. "Let's get going. We still have...a long trek to Sanctuary Hills." 

"Knight-"

"Listen, I'm going to tell you the same thing I've told Maxson. I'm sick of being called Knight."

"So then what the hell am I supposed to call you?"

"My name would be nice."

Danse chuckled a little before sighing. "Okay, then I guess you better get used to me calling you Alyssa." He teased. "Get some sleep and then we'll head out in the morning."

"No. We should go now."

"You're so stubborn."

"Yeah, well I hang around you all the time, don't I?"

"How does that-"

"Danse, can we just leave now? I can rest when we get to Sanctuary. I have a bed there anyways. I'll actually be comfortable."

The paladin rolled his eyes before standing. He crossed his arms, clearly annoyed by his friends stubbornness. "Fine. If you wish. Lead the way."

Alyssa stood as well. "Of course I wish. We can rest once we get to Red Rocket. Besides, Sanctuary is just up the road with beds, food, and plenty of clean water. You can kick back and rest there while I'm out helping McCready."

"I'm not trusting you with that...scoundrel."

"You really have no faith in anyone but yourself, do you?"

"He's a merc! How am I supposed to trust that you'll stay safe with him? All he cares about is loot and caps."

"Paladin Danse, enough."

"You can't speak to me like that, Knight."

Alyssa stood up before starting out of the ally that they had been standing in. "You're dismissed, Danse." She stated, starting to walk down the crumbled roadway with nothing but the light from the moon and her pip-boy guiding her way.

"Alyssa-" The Paladin started, walking after her.

"I said you're dismissed, Danse!" She called back, keeping her speed down the road. "I'm not in the mood to deal with your bullshit."

"You know what, fine. Go out and get eaten alive. I'll be waiting for your dead remains back at the airport!" Danse huffed, starting in the opposite direction.

Danse:

I huffed. That girl...that damn knight is the worse one I've had under my wing in awhile. Can't do one thing I say. Can't listen to someone of higher standers than her. Ugh. Maxson is going to kill me when I return without her too. Why am I even heading back? She asked me to help her and that's what I should be doing. Not...paying attention to her fits of anger and leaving her alone to walk through the wasteland. It's dangerous.

I know something is going on between her and Elder Maxson too. There's got to be. He acts so different around her and the fact that he went through the effort of getting off the Prydwen to say goodbye to her...

I'll admit though...who wouldn't have feelings for her. She's strong, independent, follows Maxson's orders, knows how to handle herself. Hell, I have feelings for her. But...relationships with two Brotherhood members is...forbidden. Especially if it's with a Elder or Paladin against a Knight or Scribe.

I've been walking for a hour now. My legs were starting to give up on me and my exhausted mind was starting to get to me as I needed sleep. The city was a terrible place to set up shop for the night, but the fact that I haven't slept for two days straight...I need it more then anything right now.

I pressed a button on my Power Armor to open the back of it before climbing out. My feet touched solid ground and I released a sigh. The ground felt great under my feet. With a sigh, I let my body relax on the ground near a building, my laser rifle under my arm beside me. Darkness...That's the last thing I remember seeing before I slipped into a light slumber.

Alyssa:

The liquid from a stimpack flowed through my veins and I felt my wounds already starting to get better. Stupid Ferals. Hope they all die in a fire. Being on my own felt strange. I'm usually with one of my friends...and half the time it's Danse. He's the one always asking me to come with...I kinda felt bad kicking him away, but at the same time I didn't. He was being a asshole. The sunlight was starting to come over the horizon and I let out a sigh. I looked at the map on my pip-boy. Almost there. Maybe just a couple hours then it's home sweet home.

"Please just...stay clear till Red Rocket. Please..." I muttered to myself.

I turned a knob on my pip-boy, tuning into the Diamond City radio station. Travis Miles, the Diamond City radio host was talking about news throughout the Commonwealth, but after a few moments my favorite song came on. The Wanderer.

That song always kept my spirits up. Always made me feel energetic. With a few hums to the song, I secured my weapon in my hands before continuing down the crumbled roadway.

It was near a hour before Diamond City came into view. I smiled then sighed, walking up to the gates while greeting the guards. They did what they always did. Just gave me a blank look, a nod, then continued on their way with protecting the outside. Diamond City. It wasn't the most pleasant place to be, but it was still a safe home for most people. I walked past it, not really wanting to deal with all the...hateful people and assholes in the city.

Looking ahead, I knew that the rest of the walk wasn't going to be as easy as I was hoping. It was going to be long, and judging by the clouds covering what was a blue sky, it's going to be wet.