I hear Curie singing along to the radio, I don't have to open my eyes to know that voice, but I do. I assume I'm at the medic station, lying in one of the three beds much more comfortable than my own. I should switch my mattress with this one once I get a chance.
I almost don't want to look at my hands or arms - I'm freaking out. What if I was just close enough to eat up enough rads to…to turn into a ghoul? The thought of it sends chills down my spine, across my entire body.
"Ah! Monsieur MacCready! Good morning - er, afternoon!" Curie turns around from the counter she had been at with a big smile, not in her usual jeans and raggedy flannel getup. She was sporting an old Vault-Tec lab coat.
"Hey…what happened?" I ask, trying to go total tunnel vision on Curie's face, doing everything I can to shut off my peripheral. I seriously don't want to even catch a glimpse of my skin.
"Well, you were very brave, Monsieur. You ran out to save Madame Emily's life from what everyone calls a Behemoth. I have never seen one before, it was terrifying. I took all these samples after it expired and-"
I have to cut her off.
"Hey, you're getting side tracked, doll".
"So sorry, heh. I get so excited is all," she chuckles and takes a seat next to me.
"After you took cover you passed out, it has only been a day. Paladin Danse rushed you over here and I already had set up an intravenous infusion of fluids and RadAway as soon as I heard their cries. What is running now is simply a hydration IV!"
Great. So Tin Man had to be the one to carry me over his shoulder. I guess I can't give him a hard time anymore, at least not for a little while.
"Did I take too much radiation? Am I a ghoul? Give it to me straight, Doc". I've already accepted the fact if I am a ghoul, I still have my personality.
Curie bursts out laughing.
"Oh, Mr. MacCready no, you are as handsome as ever! Do not worry. I have treated MUCH higher levels of radiation on our dear Nathan".
As I let out the biggest sigh of relief, I hear a knock.
"Come in, come in!" Curie smiles, I can't see who's at the door without turning around out of bed.
Curie brings her over. The girl I saved.
"Monsieur MacCready, this is Miss Emily! She's come to express her gratitude".
She is no taller than Curie and has long, dark kempt hair. Her eyes are a beautiful blue grey and I do see gratitude in them.
"MacCready?" She asks me, though she already knows. It takes a moment for me to find the words.
"Uhhh - yeah. Yeah that's me". Of course that's me.
"Thank you. Really I would have died if I didn't run this way. I ran past another nearby settlement and it looked empty. Thank you".
"Hey don't thank me, it's my job. And Danse fired the mini nuke. You should thank him". I was coming off coarse although I didn't mean to. Was just stating facts.
She furrowed her brows.
"I mean, I did thank him, I thanked everyone. But you ran out and helped me. That was very brave. So again, thank you".
She then gave me a wooden box. Inside was a pack of cigarettes, four Nuka Colas, and a couple of mirelurk cakes.
"Thank you". I say, truly meaning it. But she had already left the medic station.
I didn't mean to be so rigid, I just was.
"Tsk tsk, monsieur" Curie took my box, put it on the counter on the other side of the room, and came back to me with a Nuka Cola that Emily had thanked me with.
"What? I just woke up, I'm cranky in the morning". I took a big sip.
"I suggest you apologize, she will be staying here, after all".
I figured as much, Nate's probably got her harvesting corn already. I take another sip.
"I didn't mean to be rude," I'm always polite. Curie knows that's not like me.
"say, when can I get outta here? Not that I don't like hanging out with you and all".
She goes red.
"Mr. MacCready, I will suspend your IV and send you on your way," she smirks.
"After you eat one of madame Emily's mirelurk cakes" she brings one over to me.
I never was fond of mirelurk cakes and Curie knows it. Always left a weird taste in my mouth, haven't had one since that Vault Dweller brought some to Little Lamplight.
"Give it here" I sigh.
I take a bite and I chew.
And chew.
And chew.
I don't hate it. I guess I've expanded my palate to these, Cram and soda. I'm a picky guy, what do you want?
I finish my meal, and Curie sends me on my way.