Finding Peace & Glory Chapter 1

AN1: So taking a small break from my KOTOR 1 fanfic My Knight & My Guardian to dabble into the world of Fallout 4. This details the struggles of an already broken Nora in my view pre-war to the hellish landscape she is thrust forward into and how it will change her for better and worse. All she seeks now is to find her sole bright highlight in life her baby Shaun, and vengeance for her slain husband. But might she also find more then this in this new future? Enjoy, and R&R please!

Sanctuary Hills – October 23rd 2077

Nora Shells, currently a successful lawyer of 2 years, but also a former Army Sargent of 10 years before her marriage to one Marine 1st Lieutenant Nathan Shells. The two had bonded over their shared experiences fighting the 'Reds' in Alaska and elsewhere in the slowly struggling world that was known as Earth to humans that lived on it. Bonding became friendship, and friendship soon blossomed into dating, before their dating had finally found them married in 2075 with their son Shaun being the brief high light of their broken shared existence that they tried like everyone in this decaying world to smile and think everything was as cheery as the mass media would paint for them each day.

Nathan had recently finished his last deployment in Alaska and like his wife Nora retired with and honorable discharge after 12 years of service. Now on the morning of the 23rd both were slowly getting ready for their day. Nathan had a speech to delivery at the veteran's association later that night, while she had to get to court for another drunk driving incident two nights ago for the man she was prosecuting later this morning. "..War...war never changes." She heard Nathan murmur with a tired and slightly nervous tone to his voice as he wiped the mirror clear from steam.

Coming up behind him to his right she said, "..You're gonna knock them dead tonight at the VA hun.." she said resting a hand lightly on his right shoulder.

"..You think?" He answered, both trying to sound as cheery as everyone tried to be, but each knowing the truth underneath the seeming idyllic perfect tone their lives held. Each both knowing how quickly life could be snuffed out too with all that was going on in the world.

"..I know so, now stop hogging the mirror it's my turn.." She said easing him back to peer at herself in the mirror. Like Nathan she stood at roughly a tall 5'11 though was slightly shorter then his 6'1 frame. She was decently strong for a woman due to her service, and even though that had ended she still found time to regularly work out. Her dark raven black hair was off set by her bright green eyes, and her dark creme colored skin tone, her great-grand mother had been of Asian decent which seemed to have risen in her gene pool a bit so her eyes had an exotic tint and slight perceptible slant to them. This had once in a while gotten her odd glances of distrust but most soon to overlook it given her loyal service to the United States and her allies against the 'Reds'.

After a bit of fluff to tidy up her 'Wendy the Welder' style hair crop and touching up her red lipstick like any proper wife should have she put on her usual smile and turned away to face the coming day. Their new robot butler Codsworth was moving about in the hallway tidying up some bits of laundry it seems as he headed then for the kitchen as Nora emerged from the bathroom. "..Ahh good morning mum! Your coffee is ready 175.3 degrees F! Brewed to perfection! And of course today's newspaper and your monthly comic subscription! Will there be anything else then?" he inquired.

Sipping the hot coffee Nora shook her head, "..Not right now Codsworth, thank you." She said as Nathan emerged from the bathroom near her now in the kitchen as Shaun began to cry. Immediately Codsworth moved to tend to him.

"..Ahh looks like the wee one then is awake! I shall attend to young Shaun!" the robot intoned hovering away to the back of the house.

Nathan chuckled tiredly, "..I know originally we were nervous about getting Codsworth with Shaun but I'm glad we did." He said turning to sip his own coffee. Just as Nora was about to delve into Grognak the Barbarian's latest issue they both heard the door bell ring. Nathan groaned. "..Urgh, it's that damn salesman again from Vault-Tech. You want to get it or should I?" he asked.

Being nearer to the door Nora shrugged. "..I'll get it hun. Just read up on your newspaper." She said.

"..Heh more educational then your comics!" He toyed back with a worn smirk. Nora just returned it then opened the door.

There in a fine pressed brown suit and hat and mid 30s aged man stood. Nora now at 30 herself just stared back, "..Vault-Tech calling! We're here today to congratulate you that you and your husband, thanks to your loyal service to our great country have been specially selected to be entered into your local Vault 111! We just need you to confirm your information here if you please?" he said cheerfully though with a hint of unusual nervousness too.

"..Yeah yeah.." Nora said checking to ensure their entry also included Shaun, naturally Codsworth wasn't factored in but then again he was just a robot, a 'smart' one true and quite 'lively' but a robot none the less. Muttering as she checked off the final information signatures she handed it back and before the man could reply shut the door on his face as he tried to tip his hat to her.

Seeing her tired irritation as she walked back to the kitchen counter, Nathan said with a consoling tone, "..Heeeeyyy it's just a bit of paper work, for some peace of mind. You and I both know how things could change at a moment's notice. Sure we had the fallout shelter downstairs but that would only last a few months for the three of us. The Vault will last a life time now!" he said.

Nora rolled her eyes at his attempt at cheer and positiveness. But despite herself returned his smile, neither really knew if it was genuine or just forced like usual but at the least a sense of love was present in both parent's features. Then her mother sense caught on that Shaun was still crying, and Codsworth was returning. "..Miss Nora? I've changed Shaun and fed him but he still seems intent upon crying and testing his lung capacity. Perhaps he needs some of that...maternal love only his parents could give?" he said in query.

Nodding with a genuine smile this time Nora walked back the hall as Nathan said, "..Don't worry hun, I'll be along in a moment to help." he said. Soon joining her as she finished cuddling the bright spot in her life besides her husband. Setting him down Nathan came up hugging her from behind with affection saying "..I fixed that mobile the other day, why don't you give it a spin?" he said. Smiling a bit Nora did so its cooing sounds and attraction soon drawing Shaun's pudgy little hands up to reach for them. "..Heh, my little guy isn't giving his Mom any more trouble now is he?" Nathan said. Turning then he said, "..Hey so I thought later maybe we might try getting out in the afternoon after your case is done in court. Maybe a trip to the park downtown?" he suggested.

Snorting in amusement recalling the last time they had gone there, "..Last time I went there I ended up pregnant as I recall. I'm not quite ready yet to repeat that experience." she said.

"..Heh well..." he said in his own amusement only to get interrupted by Codsworth.

"..Miss Nora! Sir Nathan! You both should see this!" the robot butler said with a sense of urgency in his synthesized voice.

The moment's after that became a blur for Nora, highlights of running, shouting, screams around her and the flash of an atomic explosion distant on the horizon. Then their entry into Vault 111, the icy grip as it took her and the sense of nothingness as her breathing slowed to nothing. Her last fading thoughts were of her family and the life they now had ahead, "..A...new life….underground…..together..." he muddled mind thought fading out to pure white.

AN2: R&R please! Not sure when I'll update another but we'll see! To answer ahead of time this will eventually be a Nora/Glory romance fic!