Courier walked down the pure white corridor towards the hospital lobby. He'd been stuck in a bed or a wheelchair for about a week when Princess Twighlight brought in her latest project at the behest of her friends. A Chunk of Magic-infused crystal. She and Rarity had shaped it, Forming it to Courier's stump, before fusing it. It had been an...unpleasant experience, but Courier was now walking, with only a slight limp to show he'd been hurt at all. He collected his personal effects from the front desk, donning his (now tattered) duster. Underneath, he wore a nice button-up shirt and jeans, made by Rarity.

Speaking of the purple Haired seamstress, she was sitting elegantly in the waiting area. Courier smiled as he approached.

"Mornin'. I keep ya too long?" Courier asked, flashing an apologetic smile.

"Think nothing of it dear! You were hospitalized. I understand. However, you shall be making it up to me." Said Rarity as she sidled up and grabbed Courier's arm. "But first, we really must do something about your ensemble." Rarity had a predatory smile and Courier was dragged along to her boutique, wondering what fresh hell awaited him.

*****One and a half hours later*****

Courier stood stock still as Rarity made the final adjustments to a Dress uniform for his status of deputy. Courier had told her he didn't need one, but the puppydog eyes and incessant whining had broken him down. However, as she worked Courier got to see the side of her he liked. She was working hard to make something for him, out of pure generosity. At first, their relationship had been rocky. She'd been used to a certain standard of behavior, even in the villains of Equus. The barbarity and harshness of the Mojave waste was one helluva thing to get used to. Plus, Courier had, at the time been a little...Terse. Now, he had his reasons, but she had found it a little rude getting ordered around. Courier could remember the arguments he'd had with her over damn near everything from his clothes, to his weapons, to the state of his rations. Things had come to a head just outside of Primm.

"I can't believe you! I was talking to that Gentleman!" Rarity had exclaimed as Courier shook out his wrist. Laying on the ground before him was a "talent scout" for the Omertas, who had been using his sleazy charms to get close to the girls.

"He was no gentleman, Lady" Courier spat, putting as much annoyance into the word as he could. "The Gomorrah is a goddamn brothel. He was probably planning to drug you, and when you were addicted to his stuff? He'd whore you out. Fuckin' omertas, Can't understand why house hasn't blasted them all to hell yet." Courier said, kicking the unconscious mobster. However, Rarity and Courier froze when the sound of several weapons being primed broke the stillness of the night Courier just positioned himself in front of Rarity and drew his pistol.

"Rarity. You go back to Primm and find the girls. tell the sheriff there's trouble." Courier said as several men in dirty suits stepped out of the darkness.

"Pal, Drop your gun and give us the girl. We'll double whatever she's paying for protection." said the lead mobster. Courier just set his jaw grimly.

"No deal. Rarity, fucking go!" said Courier harshly. Rarity was unable to say a word as she backed away. Could she really leave him to fight alone? Her answer came in the form of a gunshot. One of the Omertas fell, clutching a wound on his chest. Rarity could only stare in shock at the smoking pistol in her hand. Monsters and feral ghouls were one thing...but she'd just taken her first life. Courier was the first to recover, blasting the lead omerta away before training his gun on another. Rarity pulled her trigger again, taking advantage of the hesitation as the remaining Omertas tried to choose targets. Another fell and the last, seeing his fellows dead around him tried to run. Courier shot him in the back.

".....You ok?" Courier asked, his back to rarity as she trembled with fear and adrenaline.

"Does....Does it ever get any easier?" asked the terrified woman. Courier turned around and embraced her hugging her close.

"It doesn't....But I hope you never have ta do it again.....Thanks." Courier gave her a sad smile, causing her to realize how much his life weighs him down. His broad shoulders, which usually seemed so proud to her, now seemed so stiff and tired. As though the world itself weighed down on them.

"You gonna stare at my crotch forever?" came the curious voice of Courier, snapping Rarity from her revery.

"Well, it's such a fine specimen, I may just have to" joked the mare, smiling at making Courier blush once again. Rarity finished up and took a good look at her handiwork. "Hmm, maybe the cloak was a bit much...." She said, drawing a groan from courier as she undressed him to start again for the umpteenth time. Many hours would pass, and those who drew near the shop swear they heard the sobs of a broken man as a refined voice laughed.

Author's Note

Yeah. It's back....sorta. A friend asked me to continue and while it may come slowly, Long road home is officially back from the dead.