"Alright, we need to move." I made a decision, well, okay we made a decision, we would get to the surface, we would try out there, find a bunker, or a vault, there was nothing for us down here, we were sitting ducks.

Having company, especially her company was... well I don't even know how to describe it in words.

Mutton trotted with us, his tail wagging, sniffing the ground with interest, Aphmau had her hands laced with my own, she looked terrified.

"Your holding onto me awful tight, are you okay?" I saw her go pink and look up at me.

"It's been awhile since I've left, just... nervous." I chuckled and brought her closer, squeezing her hand.

"Don't be, you've got me!" I grinned and she smirked, rolling her eyes, but she still relaxed her hold.

"That does not make me feel a fraction better." I laughed and enjoyed her company, I was still scrawny from before, but not nearly as weak, though some things have started to get harder, like lifting something heavy, climbing, and I moved slower.

Not good when you live as I do.

"Aw, come on, I've survived this long haven't I?"

"If I hadn't had been nice and healed you, you would be dead." She retorted, and I chuckled.

"And if I was dead, then no one would've been there to heal you." She thought for a moment and laughed.

"I guess it was inevitable then, we'd be together no matter what." I smiled and we reached our destination, the station I had explored earlier.

A set of stairs led up to the next level of the subway, Mutton bolted ahead of us, growling, we got ready to fight, I pulled out my pistol and Aphmau grabbed the nearest object, which just so happened to be a pipe.

We slowly go up the stairs, and jump out to attack anything that might be there, and there was a man, sitting up against the wall, his face was horribly mangled, but, he was still alive.

"Don't shoot, I am no threat to you." His voice was rough, it sounded like he had smoked on every cigarette in the Underground.

"Woah... What happened man? You look... uh worse for wear." I remember the words that came from him next, in a slow, rolling voice.

"Same thing that's happening to your lady friend, radiation, I'll become a Crawler, so will she." I looked at Aphmau, her mangled arm still looked the same, but she looked uncomfortable, and opened her mouth to explain.

"No... that's just burns, Accident." He looked apologetic, but also a little unconvinced.

"I'm sorry then, my eyes aren't what they used to be, still be careful, if it starts to spread, don't say I didn't warn you."  The man stood, though it's clear it took effort.

"I am Xane(Pronounced Zane) I keep people from going up onto the surface within a gas mask, the radiation is so potent, it will fry you.

"We couldn't find one, we were going to raid this place actually, but if you live here, we can move on." He smiled, it looked painful to do, but it was sincere.

"Oh no, I don't live anywhere, so feel free. I'm going to Metatown next, if I see any I will definitely give them to you."

"That's very nice of you sir. Thank you. Aphmau piped up from behind me, and Xane grinned.

"Ah well, you didn't shoot me, and you both seem like good people, so don't mention it lass." He picked up his small amount of belongings in front of him, waved with a mangled hand, and went up a second flight of stairs.

We spread out, Mutton coming with me and Aphmau going alone, we scoured the place, Aphmau found a bow stashed away in a busted locker, I found a few cans of food, bottles of water(though I don't think I would drink them) more ammo, and a leather belt with pockets, it had a strap across the chest and some support along the back.

I take off the leather pad on my shoulder, slip on the chest piece, and, like I suspected the pad fit perfectly on top of the strap.

Mutton found two red bandanas, one of which I wrapped around my head to keep the sweat out of my face, the other I tied around the German Shepherds neck.

When I found Aphmau, she had a bow across her back, a quiver, and to my surprise, arrows.

She also found a metal breastplate, it looked a little big for her, but it would really help if we ever got in another fight.

However, at moment, she was struggling to put it on, she couldn't reach the straps on her back.

I chuckled.

"Need some help?" I could tell she was blushing, she stopped trying to put it on, and while looking at the floor, nodded.

I took the plate, and helped her straighten it, the straps on the back looked like the ones on a bra, which the idea of sent my mind to places I really didn't want to think about...

Not yet anyway.

After I was done, I ran my hands down her sides and she shivered, nearly leaning into me.

"W-what are you doing?" Her voice did not bring me from my trance, I was lost in the action, I don't remember much of what else she said after that, I just remember kissing her neck, and her body shivering as I held her from behind.

"A-Aaron please... I'm not ready..." It took me a moment, but finally I snapped out of it, I stopped, and embraced her.

"S-Sorry, Don't know what got into me... You're just so beautiful." I knew she was blushing, and she turned to face me.

"Where did this come from? You're not usually this affectionate." I tried to argue, but she had no idea, she didn't know the person I was before the war.

"Old Habit? Heh, I'll warn you next time I feel like doing that." She smiled and for a moment, something behind her eyes changed.

"Please do."