It's the End of the World

Chapter 11

I woke up in my bed in Sanctuary, bright and early. The sun shone through the windows and filled the room. I sat up and stretched.

"Morning, boss."

"Good morning, Dee."

I smiled at the man who laid next to me. I had finally gotten him to take off his sunglasses, and this time, there wasn't another pair underneath. I looked in his eyes. The smile never left my face.

"What's that look for?"

He grinned mischeiviously before pulling me over to him. I laughed and allowed myself to be cuddled.

"Nothing. I'm just... happy."

"About?"

I buried my face in his neck.

"Seeing you. I missed you."

"Boss? I've been here the whole time. Is there something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. We defeated the Institute-"

I suddenly sat up, trying to remember.

"We did."

"This isn't right. It isn't real."

"What do you-"

I closed my eyes tight. This isn't real. It can't be.

...

I woke up in my bed at the Grille, and looked at the empty bed next to me. A dream. That's all it was. I sighed and stood up slowly. There was food set out for me at the bar. I took a seat on one of the barstools and began to eat. 

Gage walked in and stood on the other side of the bar to face me. He leaned forward with his hands on the bar.

"Let me guess. You have something you want to say to me."

I eyed Gage warily as he opened his mouth then shut it. I set the fork down and sighed.

"You're worried I'll get mad. I won't. I'll give you a free pass."

Gage looked reassured and I continued eating.

"It's just- I know you don't want to get close to anyone. But I need you to know that as much as I hate the touchy feely crap, I'm here for you. If us bein' partners is gonna work, we gotta trust each other completely."

I finished my food and put an elbow on the bar while I waited for him to finish.

"An' it's up to you if you wanna let me in, but it'll make things easier. I could... Help."

Gage finished and looked at me, waiting for my answer. I sighed and leaned forward.

"You're right. We need to work perfectly together or this could blow up in our faces. You don't need details, but I will give you a bit of what happened."

Gage breathed in relief that I wasn't angry. Seeing Deacon, even in a dream, reminded me of why I was here.

"At the Institute, I found out most of my life was a lie. A set up. Then, I lost the person that I- I loved. And it was because of Preston Garvey that he isn't with me now. Which is why I chose to be the Overboss."

"You wanted revenge."

I paused.

"No. I did it for Dea-"

I stopped mid sentence. A realization occurred to me.

"I did want revenge. Maybe that's what I wanted all along."

I looked down, questioning my motives.

Gage put his hand out to pat my shoulder. I pushed it away.

"Nuh-uh. Don't even think about it."

He pulled his hand back.

"So what now?"

I looked up with a smirk.

"Now, we continue with the plan. But let's fast track it. We're making lots of caps, so it's time to expand our efforts. Tell Shank to send out the gangs to capture three new settlements by the end of the week."

Gage nodded and left me alone in the restaurant. I walked to the balcony and put my hands on the rail.

Soon. Soon, he'll know what it is like to have the thing you care most about ripped from you as you watch helplessly. And I will savor the moment.