A quick question...I played FONV as my first FO game in the series (twice in the past year) and I am currently playing FO3 for the first time. Have the GOTY edition on Xbox and just accepted my first companion/follower with Fawkes by my side (great in combat, with good dialogue).
My question is if you leave a companion for an extended period of time (after telling them to 'wait here'), do they return to their place of origin like in FONV after a few days (I believe it is 5 in-game days) or stay where you left them (could be Megaton or some other safe location)?
I sometimes want to wander the wastes or do a quest on my own and still have the luxury of a companion when I want it.
Thanks in advance for any replies.

I'm not sure but I think they stay there permanently I can remember fawkes doing that i'm sure.

Companions will eventually leave after several days if told to wait. They'll also leave when you travel to a DLC location like The Pitt.

Only a few of the companions return to somewhere close to their place of origin.

Jericho - Moriarty's Saloon
Sergeant RL-3 - Canterbury Commons
Dogmeat - Outside Vault 101
Clover - Eulogy's Pad
Fawkes - Museum of History
Charon - The Ninth Circle
Butch - The Muddy Rudder
Star Paladin Cross - The Citadel