The Burial

It had been many months since Nora had returned to Sanctuary. It was completely different now. With all the settlers who had moved in and Codsworth tending to their needs, it no longer felt like her family home. Still she had one thing left to do. She needed closure on her old life. Danse and Codsworth followed Nora into her old backyard. They watched as she paused to look up towards the Vault Tec billboard in the distance. Past that sign was a place she feared to return to. The place her family was taken from her. Vault 111.

Her face somber, she turned to ask for help from Danse and Codsworth to go with her to retrieve Nate's body. She didn't want him in that place any longer. She wanted him back where he belonged. They took the elevator down to the vault and approached the cryo-chamber where his body was still on ice. She pressed the button and the door slowly opened.

Codsworth lingered nearby Danse as they watched, "Oh ma,am. I hate to see him like this."

"That's why we're here. I don't want to leave him this way."

Danse watched with sadness as Nora weeped over the sight of his body, "Take as long as you need soldier." With those words he took a few steps back to give her space, motioning Codsworth to do the same.

Nora looked at Nate's face, still as fresh in her mind as the last time she saw him alive. She placed her hand on his cheek and turned his head to examine the gun wound. It went clean out the back of his head.

"At least you felt no pain, my love. I am grateful for that at least."

She looked down at his hands and saw his wedding ring was still there. She looked down at her own, it was no longer shiny and clean like his. In all truth she was surprised the commonwealth had not claimed it yet.

She wiped the tears from her face, "Come on, help me get him out."

They carried his body to the backyard of Nora's old house. They dug a hole big enough to fit their refrigerator, which they had fashioned into a casket, and then placed Nate's body inside. Nora had removed his wedding ring and said one last final good bye. She closed the refrigerator door and the three of them began shoveling dirt over it. Nora made a grave stone for him and tied their wedding rings to it.

"I promise my love, I will find Shaun."

Could this Be love?

While at the Boston Airport, Nora and Danse were helping the scribes work on Liberty Prime when Danse decided to have another talk with Nora.

"I know this may sound like a strange question, but tell me... what do you think about Scribe Haylen?" He asked.

"She's as dedicated as they come. A real team player," answered Nora.

"I couldn't agree more. But I wasn't looking for an evaluation of her performance as a scribe, I wanted to know what you thought of Haylen... as a person."

"So there is a heart beating under all that armor after all," Nora laughed.

"I suppose I deserve that. I just don't normally find these discussions easy to handle, so I try to avoid them at all costs. The truth is, I'm worried about her. Since you and I are getting along so well, I felt like I could confide in you about it... to get your honest opinion."

"This seems like something you should be discussing with Haylen."

"If you'd allow me to explain, I think you'd understand precisely why that wouldn't be appropriate. A few months before you found us, one of my men was shot multiple times by Raiders. Haylen stayed by that Knight's side for two days straight without sleep fighting to keep him alive... but he was on a slow decline. I decided that his suffering needed to end and ordered Haylen to administer an overdose of painkillers so he could die with dignity. Even though I'm certain she wanted to continue fighting for that Knight's life, she injected him without question."

"Are you asking me whether or not I approve?"

"Of course not. I stand by every order I've ever given. That soldier was gravely wounded. Even if by some miracle he happened to survive, he would have been paralyzed for life. But the decision whether or not to ease that soldier's suffering isn't the point here. The point is what happened later that same evening. Haylen approached me while I was on watch. She didn't say a word, but I could tell something was wrong. After what felt like an eternity, she collapsed into my arms, crying. I... didn't know what do to, so I just held her for a while. A few minutes later, she stopped, kissed me on the cheek and simply said "Thank you" before heading back into the police station. Right then it hit me... maybe I pushed her too hard. I ordered her to ignore her instincts. To do something her medical training told her was wrong. That's why I'm worried about her... and for that matter, everyone under my command."

"This isn't really about Haylen, is it."

"No, I guess it isn't. Look, four soldiers... over half of my team, are gone. Each one of them died because of decisions that I made. I understand the risks that come with the job, we all do. But how can anyone have confidence in me anymore? Hell, how can I have confidence in myself?"

"Would it make you feel better if I told you that I believed in you?"

Danse smiled. "Actually, it does. Well, it looks like things have taken a turn. I signed up to be your sponsor so I teach you everything that I know, but it looks I'm the one that needed the lesson today. All joking aside, I'm pleased that we had this discussion and with all the problems you're facing, you still took the time to listen. It's comforting to know that I can speak to you as more than just your commanding officer."

"Does this mean you'd be there to hold me if I ever needed it?"

"I.. I don't know. I never thought you'd ask me something like that. It would depend... on the circumstances, but I suppose we'll just have to see what happens when the time comes. Anyway, thanks for letting me get that off my shoulders. I think it's been weighing on me more than I realized. I'm only sorry you had to see me at my worst instead of at my best."

(Later)

The storms of the commonwealth were fierce. Not a radiation storm this night, but a thunderous rain storm. The high winds made the area very cold, and with no cover to be seen in the near vicinity and no way for a Vertibird to pick them up, Nora and Danse had to come up with a plan to get indoors somewhere and quickly. Danse strained his eyes to see past the rain and found a sign reading Fiddler's Green Trailer Estates.

"Hey, over there!" He pointed to the distance so Nora could see what he was talking about.

She struggled to see through the rain but could faintly see the cluster of Trailers. "You think trailers are gonna be of any help?" Nora shouted back to him.

"It's better than being out in the open. Come on, I can carry you there faster."

Danse lifted Nora up into his arms. Through his power-suit he could barely feel her weight at all. He kept a close eye on how he was handling her, feeling as if he could crush her at any moment. They reached the park of rundown trailers and Danse set Nora back on her feet. They searched each building but nothing was put together enough to shelter them from the cold. They were about to move on when Nora heard the faint banging of what sounded like bunker door being lifted by the wind. She followed the sound near a section of trees and found a small hatch the was unlatched and being held down by a plank of wood. She tried lifting it to no avail.

"Danse over here!" She hollered.

He hurried to her side. "What is it?"

"I think I found a bunker. Help me lift this board."

Danse lifted the old rotted wood up off the hatch. Nora swung the hatch open and looked down into the hole. There was only blackness. She used the light from her pipboy but all she could see was a ladder heading down.

"I'm gonna check it out." She hopped onto the ladder and made her way down. Now that she was out of the wind her eyes and ears took a moment to adjust to the dark and silence. Through the pipboy light she could see a few shelves with canned food. She started to feel hopeful that the shelter might still be in good shape. Heading farther in she saw a bed come into view. The skeleton of a man was laid out on it: just another victim of time hiding away. She searched the nooks and crannies for any signs of intrusion from the wastelands but she found nothing.

"Is everything okay down there?" Danse yelled from the hatch door.

"Yeah, it's safe. Come on down."

Danse exited his power armor, took out the core, and made his way onto the ladder. He locked the hatch from the inside and joined Nora at the bottom.

Danse wiped the water from his face."It sure is good to get out of that wind. Too bad that rain its probably gonna ruin my suit."

"Coudn't The Brotherhood just give you a new one?" Nora asked.

"They could but I like that one. I've had it ever since I became a recruit. It can withstand fire, bullets, even radiation, but high levels of moisture like that just ruins the gears. Anyway what do we have going on in here?"

"It looks clear. There are no signs of forced entry, no infestations," she picked up a can of pork' n' beans from the shelf, "Even the food isn't outdated. Just a guy dead on the bed."

Danse looked over the man's remains, "Hmm... it looks like he broke his leg. He must have ran down here for safety then bled out."

"Oh god. Can't we find one place where someone didn't die in excruciating agony?"

"Apparently not." Danse began moving the body.

"What are you doing?"

"Well if we are gonna be staying here for the night I don't plan on sleeping on the concrete." He slipped the body underneath the bed.

"I suppose you're right. Do you think we could get some heat down here?"

Danse looked over at the small heater in the corner, "I could try to get that heater over there working. What do we have for supplies?"

Nora started going through her backpack. She ended up finding some wire and glue. Danse checked over the heater and did everything he could to get it running but with no luck.

"Naw, it's busted. It probably stopped working decades ago."

"Damn it, I'm freezing and we can't even make a fire."

Nora's whole body shivered. She began stripping down her armor. Danse was caught off guard and turned his face away embarrassed.

"Is something wrong?" She asked him.

"No, no I... uh... that's a good idea. We don't want to keep wearing wet clothes."

Danse began to take off his armor as well. He kept himself turned away from her the whole time. His face grew even redder when he heard the zipper of her BoS suit sliding open. He soon followed by taking off his own suit. He heard the slap of wet fabric hit the floor and then the fabric shuffling as she picked it up.

"There is a coat hanger by the entrance. I guess that will have to do to hang up our suits." She walked over to it and draped her suit over it.

"God I could really go for a cigarette right now," he huffed.

"I really wish you wouldn't smoke those things."

"I never noticed that it bothered you."

"I've never liked them and I would like to see you in tip top shape as long as possible."

"Alright. I'll do my best to go without them."

"Thank you. Now I wonder if this guy had any spare blankets or anything..." She pawed through the cabinets and found some towels and a blanket. "Ahh haa... here we go." She tossed the blanket to the bed and then held out the towels to make sure they were clean. She then tossed one over to Danse and began drying herself off.

Danse had finally gotten his suit fully removed. Nora placed her pipboy down on the table beside her. She could see his butt-cheeks in the faint light. As he dried himself off she couldn't help but to admire the muscles he had all the way from his shoulders down to his ankles. He was almost like a statue. So handsome, so perfect. In that moment it reminded her of her husband. She began to think of all the mornings she would wake up to see him standing beside the bed, stripping off his pajamas then head into the shower. She suddenly began to weep at the thoughts that she would never see him like that again. She would never see anything the same way again. Not wanting Danse to see her cry she quickly got into the bed and hid herself under the covers.

Danse noticed her sudden urgency to hide away and turned his head to find her facing the wall. As he dried himself off he could hear her softly weeping under the covers. He hung his suit next to hers then made his way back over to the bed. Cautious not to invade her dignity he slowly lifted up the blanket and joined her under the covers. He stared up at the ceiling. He thought of what he could say but nothing he could come up with seemed good enough for him to intrude on her thoughts.

Eventually he found the courage to speak., "Are you alright? Can I do anything for you?"

Nora took in a deep breath then wiped the tears from her face. She slowly turned towards him, shifting the blanket as she moved. Her leg brushed up against Danse's and he froze in place. She rested her right hand under her head and through the faint light of her pipboy she could see his sad eyes looking at her.

"I'm sorry. I just miss them so much. My husband is dead and Shaun... the way he spoke to me. He didn't care. I don't blame him for not knowing who his parents were but I thought he would have at least shown some concern for his own mother. I mean I was standing right there, right in front of him and he acted as if I was just some personnel, just someone else to join in his world of lies and of death. He was my baby, and now all I can see is a monster."

Nora began to weep again. Danse wanted so badly to wrap his arm around her and hold her close but was overcome by shyness to do so. He decided to open his arms to her and let her make the next move. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. Danse felt relieve now knowing she felt comfortable enough to be this close to him but he was still unsure what to say. He began to rub her arm. At first their bodies were so cold it didn't seem as if the blanket was helping much, but after a while their body heat began to merge and they finally stopped shivering. There was an awkward silence for the longest moment when the both of them realized they were not falling asleep.

"How long do you think the storm will last?" Nora asked.

"I don't know. Normally they don't last more than a couple of days but there is never a way to really tell."

Nora sighed, "I miss the days where I could just turn on the TV and the local weather man would just lay out the entire week."

Danse laughed, "Wow, when I think of how broadcasting used to work it sounds almost impossible. So much knowledge and technology lost."

Nora yawned, "Also not waking up in an abandoned shelter would be good too." She started drifting off to sleep, "Thanks for listening."

Danse could only see a glimpse of her through the light but he could make out that she was smiling and it filled him with joy.

"I love you Nora," he whispered.

Nora answered, no longer awake, "I love you too Nate."

Danse swallowed hard, feeling a little hurt but also sad for her. A tear ran down his cheek and he wiped it away quickly. That night was one of the hardest nights he ever had trying to fall asleep.

The next day Danse woke up to the sound of a zipper. Unsure of what he was hearing, he instinctively looked towards the noise and caught a glimpse of Nora getting dressed, her right breast exposed in the light. He could clearly see her nipple: small, hard, and pink. Danse covered his face with the blanket quickly and Nora heard him shuffle in the bed.

"Oh hey, sorry to wake you. I thought maybe I could get dressed quietly but I guess I was wrong. By the way I found a lamp on the floor when I was getting up from the bed. Better than my dull Pipboy am I right?"

Danse sat up in the bed. "What time is it?"

"Mid afternoon. I didn't want to wake you due to how tired you looked. Also the storm hasn't stopped so it's not like waking you up would accomplish much. If you want I can try to put something together for us to eat."

"Are you creative in the kitchen?" Danse asked jokingly, "So many canned foods to chose from. The possibilities are endless," he laughed.

Nora smirked at his sarcasm. "Well let's find out shall we?"

While Nora went though the various cans of food, Danse put on his BOS suit and then sat down at the small table in the corner. Nora opened up a few cans and split them into two bowls and joined Danse at the table.

"Beans on canned bread with a bit of chilly on top. Bon appetite."

"Thank you." Danse continued to laugh to himself.

Later that day the storm settled and Danse exited the shelter to check on his power armor.

"So how is it?" Nora asked exiting the shelter hatch.

"Just as I thought. This sucker's not going anywhere. The rain got into the circuits and shorted it out while also filling all the gears. I would have to take the whole thing apart to get it working again."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Ehh... it's no big deal. Once we reconnect with The Brothers I will just have them come pick it up and fix it at the Prydwen."

Danse searched the area for a tarp and tossed it over the suit to keep it from further damage then they headed on their way.

Blind Betrayal

Returning to the Prydwen, Nora made her way up to her living quarters to take some time to reflect. She hadn't seen Danse in the past few days; she had gone on a mission and she realized being back made her miss him that much more. She took off her armor and BoS suit and wrapped herself in her robe and made her way to the showers.

After getting clean she returned to her room and laid down on her bed. Unable to sleep she started imagining what Danse might be doing at that very moment. She pictured him taking down raiders with this large laser rifle and then standing atop a pile of their dead bodies as he flexed his muscles in victory. She giggled and then bit down on her bottom lip. She began to feel a warm tingling sensation between her legs. She slowly opened her robe and began moving her fingers over the soft skin of her inner thighs. She closed her eyes and fantasized that it was Danse moving his strong hands over her. She massaged her pelvic bone and then gently placed her middle and index finger on her slit. As she moved them up and down she slowly opened her legs and began rubbing the nob of her clit. She then started picturing that it was Danse down between her legs with his tongue licking her opening.

Using her other hand she slid her middle finger into her pussy and moved it in and out while still rubbing her clit with the other. She kept her finger curved so she could feel it rubbing up against her sweet spot and continued to move it deeper and deeper inside her. As she felt herself reaching climax she kept Danse's face in her mind and her hips began to move as if he was right there on top of her.

She moaned out loud, forgetting the walls were not sound proofed, "Oh yes! Give it to me, Danse! Oh... oh yes!"

Her body became stiff as she waited for her climax to pass. After taking in a few breathes she removed her hands and laid her legs back down on the bed. She hadn't done that in such a long time it wore her out and she began to drift to sleep.

Meanwhile outside her door, the two Knights standing guard looked at one another, both embarrassed and amazed at what they had just heard. They laughed out loud and then turned away from each other, realizing their pants had suddenly become tighter.

(Later)

Over the intercom Maxson called for Nora to report the main deck. She woke up having heard her name and quickly got dressed. She made her way up the deck steps to meet with Elder Maxson. He stood facing the doorway with an angry stance. She approached him confused.

"You wanted to see me Elder?"

"Is there something you want to tell me Knight?"

"Not at all. I have nothing to hide."

"I find that very hard to believe. Proctor Quinlan completed the decryption of the data you retrieved from the Institute. A portion of his findings included a list of synths that went missing or escaped from their underground facility. After careful analysis of the information, we've discovered something... unprecedented. Paladin Danse is a perfect match for one of the synths on that list."

Nora spoke with concern in her voice, "Is Quinlan absolutely certain?"

"Proctor Quinlan validated the information numerous times. I can assure you, his results are accurate. The data you brought back included a record of each subject's DNA. We keep the same information on file for all of our soldiers. Paladin Danse's DNA is a perfect match for a synth they called M7-97. To make matters worse, he's gone AWOL. Disappeared without a trace. His sudden absence simply reinforces our conclusion that "M7-97" and Paladin Danse are one in the same. I'm finding it difficult to believe that he never confided in you and then swore you to secrecy."

Nora became filled with disappointment. Just when she felt things were starting to go right, another bomb shell fell on her, "You have to believe me, he never told me he was a synth."

Maxson noticed the somber look on her face, "After your actions on the bayou it is going to be hard to trust you. Which means I've decided to take you at your word. However, that doesn't absolve you of your duty. Danse is a synth. He represents everything we hate... a monstrosity of technology. Our mission in The Commonwealth is clear. The Institute and its creations need to be destroyed in order to preserve our future. Which leaves me facing the most difficult order I've ever given. I'm ordering you to hunt down Danse and execute him."

Nora found it hard to keep her composure. "Isn't there some other way?"

"Absolutely not. My decision is final. Listen, I'm not blind to the fact that Danse was your mentor and this isn't an easy burden to bear. But if we're to remain strong, we can't afford to make exceptions... even when it means executing one of our own. Find Proctor Quinlan. He's been analyzing the data and should able to provide you with a starting point."

"Yes Elder."

Nora headed towards Quinlan's quarters slowly. Her mind was racing with so many conflicting feelings. Not for herself but for Danse. She worried about how scared and lost he must be, and for him to just run away without saying a word even to her, she didn't know how to feel about that. She only hoped he hadn't done anything to hurt himself, or worse get himself killed. She walked up to Quinlan and awaited to hear what he had to tell her.

"Oh Knight, I was told you were coming. Sorry about this business with Danse."

Nora held up her hand to him,"I don't want to talk about it."

"I understand. On to your orders then. I have been poring over Danse's duty reports and unfortunately I have not been able to come up with any concrete information. As you are well aware, Danse had intimate knowledge about the commonwealth and he could simply be taking refuge anywhere. I think our best approach would be to identify every location he has ever visited and cross them out as a possibility one by one. You may want to sit down, this could take a while."

Haylen barges into the room, "What the hell is this crap about Danse being a synth?"

"I assume your outburst was a reference to some doubt regarding Danse's identity. I can assure you that my findings are quit accurate."

"So he sets Danse up just to knock him down. Is that it?" Haylen voice was filled with anger.

"How did you hear about it?" Nora asked.

"There is no secrets in The Brotherhood. Elder Maxson has made it quite clear that if we are to find Danse, we are to report him to you. That can only mean you are to hunt him down."

"I don't have time to discuss this right now."

"Why? Are you in too much of a rush to pull the trigger? I can't believe after everything Paladin Danse did for you, you are just gonna turn you back on him like this. There's obviously been a mistake and we need to get to the bottom of it."

Nora lowered her head and shut her eyes, forcing back the tears that wanted to escape.

"Scribe Haylen, you are addressing a senior officer and you will show her the respect that she is due or so help me, I will have you brought up on charges. Now, unless you have knowledge that can assist us, I suggest you get yourself back down to the police station immediately."

"Of course. My apologies proctor, I believe I have information that is relevant to the search."

"Would you like to enlighten us or do we have to wait for you to grace us with your knowledge?"

Haylen turned up her nose at Quinlan's sarcasm then turned to Nora.

"Knight, if you would accompany me to the flight deck I would like to show you the information I have compiled first hand. I stored the data on my Virtibird gunship computer."

"I will take anything that gets me closer to finding Danse."

"Yes, ma'am."

"Proceed and I will keep up my research here," said Quinlan.

"Follow me Knight."

Nora and Haylen make their way to the lower deck. Haylen stops at her computer and turns to Nora.

"Do you actually plan on killing Paladin Danse?"

"I haven't decided. I guess it depends on if he has become hostel towards us," Nora's face filled with concern and sadness.

Haylen sighs, "Well, that's something at least. Look, I've known Paladin Danse ever since I was an Initiate. He trained me, showed me the ropes... and when I screwed up, he taught me to dust myself off and move on. He's earned my admiration, my respect, and my friendship. I don't care what Quinlan's report says. I don't care if he's a machine or not... he's still Danse."

"That's a bold statement."

"It's more than just a statement. It's a plea. Danse is the most selfless person I've ever met. I've watched him risk his own life based on nothing more than principle alone. That's why I'm asking you... not just as a member of the Brotherhood, but as a human being... give him a chance. Let him tell his side of the story. If you're not convinced by what he says, or somehow he's become truly lost to us, then you do what you have to do."

Nora knew everything Haylen was saying was the truth. She didn't want to hate Danse any more than Haylen did. She just wanted everything to be okay again. "Don't worry, I'll hear him out."

"That's all that I ask. I'll just have to trust that when the time comes... you'll do the right thing. Before the Prydwen showed up, Danse had me identify a fallback point if we ever lost the police station. It was Listening Post Bravo, an old pre-war U.S. Military outpost on the northern frontier of The Commonwealth. It's isolated, and we're the only ones that knew about it, so there's a good chance that's where he's headed. Just be careful. There's no telling what state of mind he's in right now, or if he trusts any of us at all."

"Thanks Haylen."

Nora exited the Prydwen and immediately made her way to Post Bravo. She headed on foot, not wanting any of The Brothers knowing where she was going. She found the fort and headed down the elevator. After fighting through the forts security defenses, she saw Danse through the control station window. He was just standing in place, waiting to see who would come along to take him out. He didn't even notice her through the window. She headed around to the door and approached him. He just stared at her with a somber look on his face. Tears swelled up in Nora's eyes as she looked him over. He was unarmed and looked very vulnerable, wearing only his BoS suit. She couldn't think of what to say.

"I'm not surprised Maxson sent you, he never liked to do the dirty work himself," he said.

"I wish you would have told me the truth, Danse."

"I might have, if I'd known what I was. Until Quinlan got that list decoded, I thought synths were the enemy. I never expected to hear that I was one of them. If it wasn't for Haylen, we wouldn't even be having this conversation. So what are your orders? Does Maxson even want me alive?"

"No, but I'm hoping there's a way out."

"Don't be ridiculous. Look, I'm not blind to the fact that we're good friends and this must be very difficult for you. I wish Maxson had sent someone else. But that doesn't change a thing. I'm a synth, which means I need to be destroyed. If you disobey your orders, you're not only betraying Maxson, you're betraying The Brotherhood of Steel and everything it stands for. Synths can't be trusted. Machines were never meant to make their own decisions, they need to be controlled. Technology that's run amok is what brought the entire world to its knees and humanity to the brink of extinction. I need to be the example, not the exception."

Nora's throat was tight from holding back her sorrow, "If you really feel that way, why did you run in the first place?"

"The moment I learned the truth, I knew my life was in danger. I'm a soldier, so self-preservation kicked in... I needed to regroup and assess the situation. Once I got here, and I had some time to think... I realized I'd just made everything worse. I should have stayed on the Prydwen and accepted the inevitable. Like I said, I need to be the example, not the exception."

"You're willing to die for Maxson?"

"Whether I agree with Maxson or not, The Brotherhood has to remain firm and united. If I begin questioning orders, who's to say others won't do the same? I refuse to be responsible for that. Even if it means I need to die. Don't let your feelings about me cloud your judgment. This decision is bigger than both of us. It's about the future of The Brotherhood. We must stay on mission... no matter the cost."

Nora stood in shock with tears like waterfalls on her cheeks. Danse took the pistol from her holster and placed it in the palm of her right hand. He then held her hand to aim the pistol at his heart. He didn't close his eyes. He just looked deep into hers still with that somber look. She saw flashes of her husband's face and then Eärendil's.

Nora couldn't believe what she was hearing. She wanted him to plea with her. To show her he didn't want to die. To fight. It was then she realized if he wasn't going to do it, she would to have to be the one to fight for him. "No. I won't do it, Danse." She lowered the pistol back to its holster.

"I can't believe you'd risk your life just to keep me alive. Why would you do that for me?"

"I've already lost my family." She struggled to say the words as her heart leaped up into her throat. "I don't want to lose another friend."

Danse sees the pain on Nora's face. Her eyes were pink and swollen from weeping and he realized he had been selfish."You're right. How could I have been so blind? I should consider how my death might affect the people that care about me. People like you and Haylen. Perhaps now that you've opened my eyes, I can consider my next move."

"Whatever you decide to do, I've got your back." A smile spread over Nora's face.

"Thank you my friend, but I have my own path to follow. The only clear choice is for me to leave The Commonwealth. The sooner I make for the border, the sooner I put this behind me." Danse lifts his holotags over his head and places them in her palm. "Take my holotags. Use them to prove that your mission was a success or Maxson will just send someone else to hunt me down." He heads for the exit.

"I don't want you to go," Nora cries out to him.

Danse turns back to her and places his hands on her cheeks. "Don't worry. Well see each other again. I promise. Now, come on. Let's get the hell out of here."

Danse leads her by the hand to the elevator and they make their way to the up to the surface. At the entrance Nora follows behind Danse as he starts to run but they are both stopped by Maxson, who had followed Nora to the bunker.

"How dare you betray The Brotherhood!" Maxson shouted to Nora.

"It's not her fault, it's mine," announced Danse, ready for anything Maxson threw at him.

Maxson points at Danse, "I'll deal with you in a moment." He turns his focus back to Nora, "Knight, why hasn't this... this thing been destroyed?"

"How did you find us?" Nora asks.

"When I sent you to execute this machine, I suspected you'd have difficulty following my orders. Now that I've arrived, it appears that my instincts were correct. What did it say to you that made you betray The Brotherhood? Why is it still alive?"

"He's still alive because you're wrong about him," Nora spoke with confidence.

"Danse isn't a man, it's a machine... an automaton created by the Institute. It wasn't born from the womb of a loving mother, it was grown within the cold confines of a laboratory. Flesh is flesh. Machine is machine. The two were never meant to intertwine. By attempting to play God, the Institute has taken the sanctity of human life and corrupted it beyond measure. You're the physical embodiment of what we hate most. Technology that's gone too far. Look around you, Danse. Look at the scorched earth and the bones that litter the wasteland. Millions... perhaps even billions, died because science outpaced man's restraint. They called it a "new frontier" and "pushing the envelope," completely disregarding the repercussions. Can't you see that the same thing is happening again?"

"That's insane. He dedicated his life to protecting mankind."

"Is that what it told you? How can you trust the word of a machine that thinks it's alive?"

"Danse shares the same beliefs as The Brotherhood. You're talking as if he is some kind of nuclear bomb."

"Don't be so naive. This machine might not be a bomb, but it's goal is exactly the same. Place it where you want the damage done, and when you least expect it, it delivers a lethal blow without warning and without mercy. A machine that's had its mind erased, its thoughts programmed... its very soul manufactured. Those ethics that it's striving to champion aren't even its own. They were artificially inserted in an attempt to have it blend in to society."

"From the moment I was taken in by The Brotherhood, I've done absolutely nothing to betray your trust and I never will," said Danse.

"It's too late for that now. The Institute has foolishly chosen to grant you life. You simply should not exist. I don't intend to debate this any longer. My orders still stand."

Danse turned to Nora, "It's alright. We did our best. You convinced me that I was wrong to be ashamed of my true identity and I thank you for it. Whatever you decide, know that I'm going to my grave with no anger and no regrets."

Maxson spoke in disgust, "Touching. Either you execute Danse, or I will, Knight. The choice is yours."

"If he dies, what happens to me?"

"Given the circumstances, I'd be willing to overlook this lapse in judgment. The fact that Danse's true nature was hidden from you isn't your fault. Now make your decision, or I will."

"After all the sacrifices I've made and all the battles I've fought for The Brotherhood, you need to listen to me. You owe me that much," Nora pleaded.

Maxson couldn't help but comply. Seeing such sadness on a beautiful face pained even him. He remembered the sound of her cry that day on the bayou. He never wanted to hear anything like it ever again. Going against every fiber in his body he still wanted to give her a chance. "Very well, I'm listening."

"Whether he's human or not, Danse saved the lives of countless Brotherhood soldiers. Now it's time you saved his. If you want Danse dead, you lose me as well."

Maxson couldn't stand the idea of losing Nora. Even if he hated Danse to the core of his soul he wanted Nora more. "You're a stubborn woman. So. It appears we've arrived at an impasse. Allowing Danse to live undermines everything The Brotherhood stands for, yet you insist that he remains alive. Which leaves me with only a single alternative. Danse. As far as I'm concerned, you're dead. You were pursued and slain by this Brotherhood Knight and your remains were incinerated. From this day forward, you are forbidden to set foot on the Prydwen, or speak to anyone from The Brotherhood of Steel. Should you choose to ignore me, know that you'll be fired upon immediately. Do we understand each other?"

"We do," Danse answered.

"Don't mistake my mercy for acceptance. The only reason you're still alive... is because of her." Still with so much envy in his heart, seeing her standing there beside Danse so confidently, so passionately, he couldn't find it in himself to be mad at her. "I'm returning to the Prydwen, Knight. Take some time, say your goodbyes, and then I expect to see you there. We still have the Institute to deal with."

Maxson walked to his Vertibird parked in the distance and flew off.

Danse turned to face Nora and gave her a big smile. "It took a hell of a lot of guts to stand up to Maxson like that."

"Friends take care of each other... no matter what."

"That they do. Which is why I've decided to stay here. I didn't plan on spending the rest of my days at this old listening post, but it will have to do. Besides, you're still going to need my help and I'll be damned if I'm going to let you wander The Commonwealth alone. Now... you better get back to the Prydwen. In the meantime, I'll start making this bunker more livable. If you ever need me, I'll be right here."

"You take this time to think about what I've said. I care about you Danse. I care about you a lot and it's more than just because you're my friend." Nora wiped her face and straightened her back, getting back into business mode. "Alright, I'll go take down the Institute and then I'll come right back. Be ready to kick some more butt when I return." Nora handed him back his holotags.

Danse laughed and placed them back around his neck. "Will do."

As he watched her walk away he couldn't help but miss her immediately. Once she was out of sight he headed back down into the fort.

(Later)

As the days past Danse had a lot on his mind. Not only was the life he knew over but hearing Nora say she cared for him got his mind even more scrambled.

"How can she care about me? How? I'm a machine. A machine doesn't deserve someone to risk their life over. If she ever died because of me I could never forgive myself. If I were to ever put her in harms way I would have to end it, right then and there."

Danse paced the room trying to find anything to occupy his mind. Now that he didn't have The Brotherhood to fall back on he needed something, anything to occupy his mind. He flipped through old books that happened to be in the bunker. He read the old files on the monitors over and over until he could almost recite them by heart but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get her words out of his head.

(I care about you Danse.)

His heart skipped a beat every time he heard it in his mind.

(I care about you Danse.)

"Stop. After what I have done," he thought about that day at the bayou. "I don't deserve it. I don't deserve her. She's so beautiful, so caring and I'm... I'm nothing."

He could feel the aching in his crotch growing. He was sweating and felt tired from all the stress he was putting on himself. He sat down on his bed and with everything inside him telling him 'No', his hand moved as if it had a mind of its own and unzipped his suit. His cock slid out into the open air and he could feel the cold against it. It was so hard it hurt, he couldn't take it anymore. He grasped it into his hand and began to jerk himself off vigorously. It had been a long time since he had done so. He always tried to fight it off but he couldn't, not this night. He pictured Nora's smile. He pictured her in her skin tight BoS suit and fantasized about how her breasts would feel in his hands. Within moments he was already reaching his climax. He reached out to grab a tissue from the bedside table and held it in place over his cock awaiting his eruption to soil it. His orgasm was fierce and drained him of what little energy he had left. He removed the tissue and looked down at it in disgust.

"It isn't real. It's all just an illusion."

He tossed the tissue into the trash and zipped himself back up into his suit. He laid down on the bed and passed out from exhaustion.