Madeline discovered Ringo

As Madeline stirred, she noticed Ringo had moved from the sleeping area and approached the rocky outcrop they had designated for the guard area for that night.

"Can't Sleep?" Madeline asked in a whisper, as if monster lurked just nearby.

"Yeah." Ringo said as he moved over near her and leaned against a large rock. "Maybe its just the moon."

Madeline looked up at the sky and marveled at once more, since leaving the vault she never knew how beautiful the sky could be. From the warmth of the sun, to the gibbous moon's soft caress. It was bright tonight and Ringo noticed her extra inspection.

"I guess you never got to enjoy the stars and moon stuck away in that vault."

"No," Madeline replied with a sigh thinking of home and friends.

"Hey," Ringo smiled softly "I really wanted to thank you for helping me out back in Goodsprings. Those Powder Gangers had it out for me."

"Its okay Ringo," Madeline smiled back "Those bastards had it coming. Tell me about your caravan days. I don't know much around this place...Its so different from home."

And so Ringo talked about the caravans roads, long hauls to a place called the Hub--a key source of water in the region, and how he had even seen the coast once at a place called San Francisco. Their chatter carried them through much of the night.

"I think the hardest thing about being on the road though," said Ringo "was not having anyone to share things with. Very lonely."

Ringo "accidentally" brushed Madeline's hand.

"I be it was very lonely. I can't imagine treking for so long without someone to--" Madeline was cut off by Ringo moving close and wrapping his arms around her.

"--to hold close." He kissed her gently, and tenderly. Something she hadn't felt in a long time, his warm body heating her from the chill desert air.

Madeline could kiss him back...or tell him goodnight....