As Dr. Zira walked out of Sanctuary Hills and back to the gas station, so that Cait and Piper could take her back to Goodneighbour, Nora walked up to Curie.

“Curie? Got a sec?” Nora asked.

Curie smiled as she gestured for them to sit down. “Of course, my Love.”

The two brunettes sat in the common area.

“So, um, I want to know more about Rusty's case...” The General said, “You mentioned that her memories were replaced with new ones. If I might ask, one medic to another, how much of Wind's memories did you have to erase?”

Curie shook her head. “You mean, if Rust-y decided to keep Wind's memories?” Nora nodded. “Sadly, that section of her brain, her memories were too fragmented. They were beyond putting them back together. To recover.” She sighed sadly. “They were even more fragmented than Kellogg's memories. There was nothing to recover, aside from one other memory... it seems Rusty is from another dimension. She arrived from another world through... a portal.”

“Another world?” Nora asked in confusion. “Like... inter-dimensional travel? I thought that was just a theory.”

“Exactly.” Curie said. “Before the war, Vault-Tec tried to study the theory. Tried to build a portal. They did not succeed.”

Nora thought for a moment. “Wow... she's from another world. I never would have guessed. It makes the most sense, however, considering what she is.” She looked towards the house that she had given AJ and Rusty. “So, Rusty's request to remove Wind completely was the best option. What about Amber?”

“The poor Dear was suffering from Dissociation - the fracturing of the personality into different parts. It was why she suffered from PTSD when she heard certain trigger words.” Curie explained. “Due to the trauma she has gone through – being attacked by the death claw, exposure to the FEV, her time with the Institute, being programmed to be a... ruthless killing machine, it was all too much for her mind to deal with. Having, essentially, almost three different sets of memories, it was best that we removed Amber and Wind, and leave Rusty.”

“Right.” Nora nodded “That does make sense.”

Meanwhile, Rusty bit her lip as AJ flopped next to her, and sighed happily and in pure bliss as AJ covered them in the blankets.

“So...” AJ panted as she pulled Rusty's head onto her chest and hugged her around her shoulders. “Was that what you expected?”

Rusty wasn't panting as heavily as AJ, but her bottom lip was sore from biting to keep quiet. Not just for Kara's sake, but so that the other settlers didn't hear her. “I had no idea it would feel so... amazing. So perfect.”

AJ kissed the top of Rusty's head. “Me too.”

Rusty blinked as her ears twitched. “Uh... I can hear wagon wheels.”

AJ checked her watch. “Whoa... we were, um, distracted for an hour.”

Rusty sat up and started untangling her clothing from AJ's clothing. “Well, we did do it... 10 times... That said, the caravan must be here early. Not that it's a bad thing.”

AJ sat up and caught the clothing that Rusty was tossing to her. “Right.”

“How many caps did you manage to get?” Rusty said as she stood up and finished getting dressed.

“Uh, 500 caps. Well, 500 before I traded for better food, medical supplies, and ammo for our rifles.” AJ said as she did the same. “So, all in all, about 200 caps to bargain with the caravan.”

“Well, lets hope that can get us close to Canada.” Rusty said as she placed Kara in to her bag, and placed her on her back. She picked up her rifle from the weapon rack on the wall and shouldered it on the opposite shoulder that Kara was on.

AJ picked up a ruck-sack and put it on her back, and then picked up her rifle from a rack on the wall as well, and shouldered it. “It should.”

The three girls walked out of the house. They spotted Nora and Curie speaking to the Caravan driver. The caravan itself was a simple covered four-wheeled wagon, about 12 feet long, with a donkey hitched with a single tree, at the front.

AJ and Rusty walked up to the driver and Nora.

Nora smiled. “Hey, Girls. I'd like you to meet Marchhare Writer.” She gestured to the tall driver, with long white hair and a neat white beard, well neat for the wastes. He smiled warmly at them, his eyes squinting kindly.

“Please, call me De Writer. Everyone does.” He said in a wise voice. At Rusty's confused face, he explained, “When I'm not delivering supplies, I write and restore books. People started calling me The Writer, which morphed into De Writer.”

“I'm AJ. A pleasure, kind Sir.” AJ greeted as she shook his large hand.

“I'm Rusty.” Rusty smiled. “This bundle of cuteness on my back is Kara. Our daughter.”

De Writer nodded. “What a unique species you are, Rusty. I've heard of rumours and tales of animals walking on two legs. I would never have thought I would meet one, one day.”

Rusty blinked. “Oh. I guess we should have warned you...”

“Nonsense. I've lived in the wastes for 8 decades. Nothing surprises me.” De Writer smiled. “Now, Nora here has told me that you want to get to Ronto.”

AJ nodded. “We need to get away from Boston. Avoid any... Institute entanglements.”

“Of course.” Dr Writer nodded. “Ronto is the safest place in the Wasteland. Hardly touched by the bombs. In fact, I've heard stories that a settlement, much like Sanctuary Hills exists up there. Perfect to raise a young one.”

“So, you'll take us?” Rusty asked excitedly. “Not for free, of course.”

De Writer chuckled. “I will take you as far as I normally go.” He pulled out a worn map. “This is an old world map. See that red line from Sanctuary Hills to New York? And all those dots?” The girls nodded. “That's the route I take.”

Rusty counted ten communities. The line stopped at a place called Albany. “Albany?”

“A small town in New York state.” De Writer stated. “From there, you girls can walk North to Canada. Believe it or not, Canada still has intact Highways. Once you reach a town called Kings, you can go West along the Old World Highway 4-0-1 to Ronto.”

“How long will it take to get to Albany?” AJ asked.

“About two days.” He answered. “Nora gives me about 50 Gallons of water, which I take to each community along the way. I can't skip my stops.”

Rusty turned to his wagon, and noticed that Curie, Preston, and Codsworth were in fact, loading 1 Gallon water jugs into the back of the wagon. She turned back to De Writer.

“We have 200 caps. Would that be enough to get us to Albany?” She asked.

“I'll do it for 50.” De Writer smiled. “And for protection. You girls seem skilled with those rifles that you have. If you act as my guards, the trip will go much smoother.”

AJ and Rusty shared a looked, nodded, and looked back at De Writer.

“You have a deal, De Writer.” AJ nodded as she fished 50 caps out of a pouch on her belt. She placed them into his outstretched right hand. “If it's okay with you, Rusty and I will work in shifts. 8 hours on and off, sitting up front with you.”

“That sounds agreeable to me.” The old Trader said as he tugged his beard. “When will you girls be ready to leave?”

“We're ready now.” Rusty said. “So, I guess we're ready to leave whenever you are.”

“Excellent.” De Writer said. “Load your bag into the back of my wagon. We'll leave once I'm loaded.”

AJ walked to the back of the wagon and removed her large bag off her back and placed it carefully inside.

Rusty sighed and hugged Nora goodbye. “Thanks for everything, Nora.”

Nora smiled as she returned the hug. “It was my pleasure, Rusty. Truly.”

Once the two had separated, AJ walked up to Nora and shook her hand. “It's been a pleasure, Nora. Just like Rusty said, thanks for everything.”

Nora nodded and smiled more. “Again, it was a pleasure.”

Curie, Cait, Piper, Preston and Codsworth came over to Rusty and AJ.

“Take care of yourselves.” Preston said as he tipped his hat to them. “Stay safe.”

“Oh, I wish the two Madams didn't have to leave.” Codsworth 'sighed' sadly. “It was nice having you here. I so enjoyed your company.” He 'looked' at Kara. “Especially you, young Miss. You are too cute for words.”

Kara giggled happily.

Curie placed a hand on her chest and smiled. “I wish for the luck I can muster for the three of you. I hope you can find what you are looking for in Canada.”

Piper smiled warmly “Take care Rusty and AJ. Best of luck to all three of you.”

“Here.” Cait said, handing them a bottle of scotch. “For the road. Be safe.”

AJ took the bottle and smiled. “Thanks, Cait.”

De Writer climbed onto the bench in the front of the wagon and took the reins to his donkey. AJ climbed up, and sat next to him, readying her rifle. Rusty was about to climb in the back, when Nora stopped her.

“Wait... Rusty.” Nora said as she held out an set of arm armour. “Here. I think this belongs to you.”

Rusty took the armour. She gasped as she realized that it was Kellogg's arm plates. “Where did you get this?”

“I took it from him.” Nora said. “It's a long story, but, well, he killed my husband and kidnapped my son. I repaid the favour.”

Rusty strapped the armour to her left arm, and being careful, around her chest. “How did you know I knew him?”

“He worked for the... well, you know.” Nora answered. “I also found his terminal. Mentioned a cat girl who always showed him up. He didn't like that fact, or you.”

Rusty nodded as she nervously rubbed the back of her neck . “Yeah...”

“Anyway... I figured you could use it more then me, considering the road you have in front of you.” Nora admitted.

“Right. Thanks again.” Rusty said.

She turned away from Nora again and climbed into the back of the wagon. She climbed over the water containers, finding enough room to sit down comfortable. She removed Kara and her bag off her back, and removed her from it. She smiled at her as she cuddled her in her arms.

“Well, now that we're all ready, let's get going.” De Writer said. “We should hit the first town before night fall.” He snapped the reins and the the wagon surged forward.

Rusty peeked her head out of the back. “What is the first town?”

“A small community called Worcester.” De Writer answered as the caravan crossed the wooden bridge and then turned West. “A little bigger then Sanctuary Hills, and full of lovely people.”

“Huh.” AJ nodded as she kept her eyes peeled for trouble. “And you make this trip every week?”

“I do.” De Writer smiled widely.

“Why?” Rusty asked. “Not trying to be rude, really. Just curious.”

“Someone has to.” De Writer said as he gestured to the horizon. “No one asked for this. It happened because a few men and companies decided that they would rather destroy one another then share resources.” He sighed and shook his head. “A tale as old as time.”

“A tale as old as time?” AJ repeated.

“Certainly.” The old trader said. “All wars have been fought because people wanted what they didn't have. And those whom had it, didn't want to give it up. Be it people, gold, oil, even water.” He hummed in thought. “The reasons may change every so often. But war? War never changes.”