A/N: I like to think this is the part where things get kinda interesting although I often wonder if I made Nick out of character in this chapter. At the one part with Patty made me stop editing the story for a bit. Anyways, I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fallout at all, just this fan fiction.

"But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

James 1:14-15

Nick was roaming around Diamond City from his own agency to the bar, too struck into his own mind to do anything productive but too worried to do anything else. He shouldn't be worrying, in fact, he should be in his office and being proud of her but he has been very anxious about this one date. The worst part about it, he wasn't worried about a date of his own. He highly doubts that anyone has an interest to even ask him out in politeness anytime soon, certainly Patty didn't and she most likely does something like that. He can see the sun is setting down soon, remembering her eyes during those times. She was the most beautiful at the point of time and he could stare at her like painting all day.

These feelings he has worried him a bit, just how human did The Institute made him? Why give him these feelings when it only leaves him with the pain of his own existence? And that pain, every time he feels that pain scratches inside of him that makes him want to grind his teeth, scratches his eyes out, crawl under his own skin; it has a picture that comes to mind and that one picture alone was Kellogg. And with that image, he could only think the worst things he can possibly do and it scared him a bit. Is he really capable of loving a person, a human being? Of course, he did, he wouldn't have this feeling if he didn't but the real question is: is it safe for him to be in love with a human being with these feeling of hollowness and unsureness?

His mind went blank for a second. There was no right or wrong answer to this question, Nick doesn't even really know any synths that really fell for one and the only thing he can fall back to his human memories. Those memories weren't his, but they would still there, lurking inside of him and felt so real to him like he experienced it long ago. Those memories he desperately tries to suppress.

"Hey, are you feeling alright?" He looked around and saw Piper looking at him with concern, "I think I just watched you doing about three marathons around here and it looks like you're about to do another one. What's going on?"

"I just have been feeling stressed out," He confessed.

"Really? Why is that?"

He wasn't interested in letting Piper know his secret, it was still too soon for him to admit, "Some case I'm working on lately, it's taking the best of me." He chuckled, "I have no real leads at the moment, just trying to see if there's anything I can piece together."

She nodded, "Right, maybe you should ask Patty for help. She does live around here from time to time, right?"

"Yup, but I shouldn't disturb her. She's on a date."

"Doesn't seem like too much a date, I just saw some guy leaving from there. Pretty early too since he just came here. I wondered what happened."

He paused for a moment, "A man left from there? Do you know the guy?"

"Yeah, I think. I believe Patty told me about him once and saw them walking together from time to time, I think it was 'MacCready'?" This information he easily pieces together and knows that her date failed, it was unfortunate to go see her cry but it was some hope for him. "I didn't know they were dating."

"I don't think so, I'll go talk to her now. Thanks, Piper."

"Um, you're welcome?"

Nick knocked on the door, he began to worry about Patty, "Are you alright, may I come in?"

"Come in, it's not like I have any real plans for the rest of the day." He can feel it from here that she was already distraught from her voice. He opened the door and examine around the little home, saw Patty sitting by herself in the room, eating her cooked meal. She was wearing a red polka-dot dress coming down to her upper knees and looks like she applied a decent amount of makeup on her face that make her face glows and her hair looks well made, must've got it done by the barber. The room was candle lit and the table was prepared for two. It was honestly very comforting and romance.

He sat down across her as he watches her eat her meal sadly, "What's wrong?"

"It's just that...am I a lovesick idiot?"

"No, I don't think so. We just," He paused for a second as she looked into his eyes, "We all fall in love and sometimes they just don't love us back."

She sighed, "I just thought it was so obvious, you know? I thought he really liked me, it's not that I didn't like being friends with him. I really do, but I guess I'm just not good enough for him to really like me. I probably freaked him out and he's not going to talk to me anymore."

He puts his hand on her shoulder, "I doubt he's staying away from you after what you did to his son. I mean he definitely owes you for that, right?" She bobbed her head, "He's probably a little weirded out but I don't think he just going to leave you alone all of a sudden."

She wiped a tear off of her face and took a sip of wine, he knew it was going to be one of those days, "Yeah, you're right. It's just—I have never been into any other relationship besides my husband. I guess I was just so lucky to find Richard in my life so early."

"Patty, I'm pretty sure there's going to be another man in your life. It just takes time."

She nodded, "Yeah, I know. Sorry for being such a downer tonight, I usually like being my happy self but it's been hard lately to be happy."

Nick puts his arms around her and hugs her tightly, rubbing her back, "I know, a lot of things happened throughout this month but you at least got me."

She put her arms around him, "Thanks Nick, I'm glad I got you at least."

He was interrupted by the couple yelling at each other suddenly, sometimes the littlest of things gives him memories of that night. He was already done investigating the girls' homes. It seems like other families didn't have much to add to the investigation and no idea why the kidnappers would take them away in the first place. He checks up at Ivy's home and it oddly was clean. Nothing off the wall at her home except a small necklace of pentagram enclosed by a circle and the one thing that bugged the hell out of him was the fact, she was staying at Kellogg's old home.

The memories both investigating there and other unfamiliar memories appear in front of his eyes, he couldn't focus around the room and feeling like he was going to have a heart attack. Impossible of course, but he puts his hand against his chest and clenches on his chest as he slowly tries to breathe. His vision begins to become blurry and his head was spinning around the room, he tries his best to walk through the room but he honestly felt like he was dying. A painful human death. The pain was too hard to focus on the necklace and quickly leave the building. The pain left when he left the building as he stood there, thinking about what just happened. He didn't know what that event meant but there was nothing he can connect anything with, at least anything logical to connect to and moved on from it. There were other things to focus on instead and he didn't want to waste any more time.

He stared at himself on the window's reflection, the image of a synthetic man wearing a detective outfit. This clothing was probably the closest thing of humanity. Looking at himself in the window, an important part of him feels long gone, something familiar and proud has left his being and he never returns to that statue he used to have ever again. He pulls out a cigarette from the pack and pressed between his lips, he grabbed his lighter and lit his cigarette, taking a nice puff from it. It wouldn't do much to his body, but the idea always helps him. It kept him from going insane these past weeks, something inside of him was killing him. It was eating him and there was nothing he could do about it. He believed it was loneliness, he didn't realize how much their friendship was worth, how much she was worth to him even if she doesn't realize it. Losing her hurts him but something much deeper inside than just loneliness. He blows the smoke out and took a deep breath, it was about time return to Ellie now.

He walked back to his agency and witness Ellie giggling at him, knowing she was about to tease him about, "So, did you find anything interesting at that rationing place?"

"Not really, just a letter. Although I got some information that may lead somewhere. Hopefully, Patty can find something good to head somewhere. Do you know anything about a man named Frank Smith?"

Ellie showed her face in disgusted, "That creepy guy? I know of him, he tried to talk to me once before coming here the other day. Luckily, it was bright daylight and there were many people around so nothing much happened to me. Something about a girl he needs to sacrifice to make all the bad good again, I thought it was really creepy and tried to ask further questions before he turned the subject into witches. He's not right in the head, no offense."

"A girl he needs? Tell me all about that."

Ellie shrugged, "Something about 'a pretty woman in blue dancing on the moon', I was thinking he was possibly talking about a vault dweller but then he went on and on about a group of women dancing naked. I stopped giving my attention to him and quickly came here. I just thought it was some just crazy who somehow came inside Diamond City. Well, not that it's hard now since we have no mayor at the moment. Still waiting for the issue to solve itself."

He nodded and ponder to himself, "A pretty woman in blue dancing on the moon? Odd as hell, but that may be a clue to something. It may be something about a certain vault dweller, but then again the kidnappers aren't taking anyone from the vault at least I don't believe so." He answered, "Thank you for telling me that, Ellie, this could be useful."

She nodded, "No problem! Now...let's talk about something more important."

He smiled and looked away at Ellie, "Not even going to start this conversation."

"Ah c' mon! She likes you back, Nick! The way she stares at you, the way she moves around you. I can sense it from here that she likes you. You should just ask her out already!"

He laughed and looked down at himself, "I'll think about it, the more important things to focus right now."

"Of course, but Nick, don't miss your chance. It's better to face it now than forever regretting it."

He nodded to Ellie, "I'll remember that, be safe now. I'm meeting her up at Sanctuary, I hope she found some evidence that may lead somewhere." He heads back to the door.

"Where you're going?"

He looked back at Ellie, "I may as well start heading there now."

She nodded, "Alright then, go get those assholes and make sure you two come back in one place! I hate to see you guys gone."

He smiled, "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. Have fun over there, if anyone needs me just tell I'm working with Patty."

...

The Homecoming dance, a dance Patty really needed to go after worrying to death about her father's arrest. It was honestly beginning to affect her grades and damn it, she has to be the best damn lawyer this country would ever see! Good men don't deserve to be punished like that.

"Oh look, I'm blabbering in my head about it again." She took a deep breath and took a look at herself in the mirror, "I should grab my little wallet and get going with my friends, Michelle is going and I can't wait to my two boys, Rich and Chase!" She quickly grabbed her hand wallet and quickly walked out of her room. Her room was a door close to Manny's room, she was in university and enrolled in an art major to become a cartoonist but recently she has been coming here to see how her mother and Patty were doing lately with her annoying boyfriend, Toby. Toby was that annoying brother Patty thankfully never had and she always believed Manny is honestly too good to be with a druggie but she can't control her what she does outside the house.

As she walked downstairs, she saw her mom wearing her jacket for her job as a night auditor (since she has always been a night person, Patty can never do such a thing) holding her camera to take a picture of her, "Say cheese!"

She posed on the stair rail and smiled at the camera, she saw a flash go by and her mom laughed at her. "You look so beautiful! You have fun at the dance, I have to go to work as soon as possible."

"Bye, mom!" She waved her goodbyes as Patty watch her quickly leaving the house.

Manny and her boyfriend came out of the living room and lean on the wall, "You're looking good, sister. Ready to go?"

She nodded, "Of course, I am!"

They walked outside of the house and went inside Manny's humble car. Patty's sister drove her to the front of the school and parked the car a bit, "Ok then, you go have fun. This is completely your thing, I always hated dances."

Patty rolled her eyes, "You were so boring!"

"They were so kiddie, they were always lame." Patty giggled, "I'll pick you up at eleven, we got something important to get and we don't want to miss it." She begins to look into Toby's eyes and smiles.

"Well then, I'll see you later!" Patty opened the car door and quickly walked into the school building.

When she went inside the school's gym, she saw everyone doing all their funky moves and the one that particularly stood out was obviously that horrible girl named Brianna Kirkland. An old friend of hers and Patty honestly can't forgive her for what she has done.

"I can't believe she's walking around in that revealing dress after what she has said about my father, it's almost she's mocking me with that damn dress." She mumbled to herself.

"Don't give her any attention," She saw a darker brown girl walking up to her with a smirk on her face, "It just makes her more powerful than what she really is."

"Michelle?"

"The one and only."

"Wow, you clean yourself well!"

Michelle tilted her head, "And what does that supposed to mean?"

Patty laughed, "You always look good but you look even better!"

"Smooth, you should be a lawyer." They begin to laugh, "Where're your two boyfriends?"

"They're not my boyfriends, why can't a woman befriend two men? I have no desire to dating right now especially with my father's arrest."

"Well, Rich may understand especially since he already has a girlfriend, not sure about Chase though."

"What do you mean? Chase is decent folk."

"He's decent folk when he wants to, he's just trying to get under your skirt like every other woman he's been with. Friendship with a woman doesn't exist in his world."

"Well, I'm different. Either he wants to be my friend or not, I would not lose my purity until I'm married to the right man."

"And that's why he's hanging out with you, a chance to get with the good Christian girl."

"Maybe we shouldn't judge him too harshly, people change."

"Did Brianna change?'

Patty sighed, "Fair point taken." She grabbed a punch, "Maybe you should be a lawyer."

Michelle laughed, "Pft, definitely not. These muscles are for police officer's work, not lawyer's work."

"Hey Patty," She turned around and saw Rich's handsome smile, "You look beautiful."

She blushed a little, "Thank you, you look beautiful too-I mean handsome-you know what I mean!"

He giggled, "I like to look my best, those commie bastards can't top this."

Patty laughed, if there was anyone who hated communism the most in this school it was Richard, he always was a military man just like his father who sadly passed away.

"Calm down, the commies aren't coming but probably because of me." Chase came in the picture and winked at Patty, "Hello Patty."

"Hi Chase, how's it hanging?"

"I'm doing fine, thanks love bird."

"Well, we should go to the dancefloor. After all, it would be our last homecoming." Michelle said.

"You're making us sad now," She laughed, "But we should head to the dancefloor!"

They danced around the floor and listening to the tunes for a bit. She was dancing around with Richard and honestly, he wasn't a bad dancer. Unfortunately for her, she was. He giggled about her horrible dance moves and thought it was cute. Patty really liked dancing around with Richard until Chase tapped her on the shoulder.

"Do you want to dance with me?"

"Sure, I would love to."

A slow song appears and Chase put his hand on her waist and she held his hand and put her other hand on his shoulder. It took her a while to get used to slow dancing with Chase, but she eventually got into it. She was enjoying the dancing until Chase's hand slowly moving away from her waist and leaned closer to her. She felt his warm hand against one of the cheeks and felt his warm body against hers. She started to feel uncomfortable, the way he's touching her. He put his lips against her neck and felt a squeeze on her cheek.

"Get off of me!" She attempted to push away from him away from her but wouldn't push away, "You're disgusting, I told you I wasn't interested in those things!"

Patty heard him giggling as soon he leans back away from her, she saw him again. The red man with horns on his head and he was wearing a fedora on his head, a trench coat with black tie and pants, he grinned at her widely and places his dirty lips against hers.

"Stop!" Patty tried to yell, but her lips were sealed by this...man. Was some sort of incubus or was it the Devil himself?

He leaned away from her face, "I told you, I am no Devil, no incubus." He places his hand on her dress strap, pulling it down. Was he doing this? In front of everyone in the gym? Patty looked around but everyone seems to be frozen in time. She was trapped, she wanted to yell as he pulled down her dress strap but her body wouldn't respond at least respond what she wanted it to.

He kissed her all over of her exposed shoulder and laughed, "It's just you and me, Patty, you and me."

...

She stood up from the bed and gasped, it was an old memory of hers. She remembers going to that dance but she doesn't really recall anything else on that day. Nothing she would like to remember anyways. She looked over and touched her shoulder, her shirt strapped has to be slide down, did he return? No, she doesn't think he had returned yet. She really doesn't want him to be returning at this moment of her life, especially when she was doing a case like this with Nick. It would be too much for her to handle it.

She got up from the bed and stretch her arms and back as she yawned loudly, she was barely getting any good night's rest with these weird dreams of hers. They're getting worse, they're becoming miscalculated memories than actual dreams.

She grabbed her green jumpsuit, combat boots, and the metal pieces of armor and put them on. Another day in Commonwealth, she wonders what's in storage and she hopes Nick found something that could be useful.

She walked out of her little bedroom and head outside, the sun shines brightly at her and looks around her surroundings to see Nick. She saw the tall metallic man walking towards her, there's something about Nick gives her a weird feeling that she doesn't understand. Something about him she didn't quite notice before. His presence around her is like no man she ever been with, a familiar and yet comforting presence. And his glowing yellow eyes, she thinks his eyes is what makes him stand out the most people, not because he's a synth but because they reminded her of the yellow tulips at her sad wedding.

"Hey Patty," She snapped out of her thoughts to listen to what he has to say, she always enjoyed listening to his voice since she actually first heard it. Patty never thought such a tone would be heard from a synth. "You're feeling alright?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm okay. I just woke up, I haven't really been sleeping so well lately."

How amusing to him, she was the queen of sleeping anywhere at any time and get the best dreams in the Commonwealth no matter how bad things going for her and now she's not sleeping well. "Oh, when did this happen?"

"Uh, well I think it was around some weeks ago. Don't worry about me, I'm fine really."

"Uh huh," He folded his arms, not taking her lie. He has experienced her "fine" days before and he often finds her in a frenzy when she's killing raiders during that period. She was no way in hell "fine". "Are you hiding something from me?"

She widens her eyes and begins to stutter, her cheeks begin to grow red, "Why I-I never! It's really nothing, I promise you!"

"Sometimes you're a terrible liar, your cheeks are honestly red and stuttering all over the place."

Her heart was beating faster and her body started to be unease, she wrapped her arms around herself, "I just...I don't want to talk about it, it's really embarrassing and I don't feel comfortable about it. Can we please just drop it?"

Nick nodded, concerned about her well-being if she decided to hide it from him instead or maybe she just doesn't trust him enough. It would be odd for her to not trust him anymore, he hasn't done anything to lose it as of lately, "I understand but don't feel afraid to talk about it, okay?"

She nodded, "I have been feeling under the weather lately in these last five weeks and I thought I was getting physically sick so I didn't want to bother you about it but I just been feeling a bit weird lately and I'm trying to control it as best I can."

"Well, do you need help? I can help whatever it is."

"No!" She shouted, "I just... It would pass on, just give a little time I swear!"

"If you say."

"Let's just focus on the case, yeah? I found this holotape." She reveals the holotape to Nick, "The bottle that I found lead Dogmeat to the Bedford Station in a blue train car. The tape was made by a possible a paid mercenary or some gang member about a man possibly using them more than just experiments and some witch."

"Really? Pop it in." She put the tape inside the Pipboy and repeat the message again. He recalls hearing that same voice somewhere in Diamond City, could it be Frank Smith? "Hm, that voice sounds familiar."

She looked up from the Pip-Boy at Nick's face, "Really, who is it?"

"It was this man named Frank Smith, I had a chat with Sunny's father about the letter and Ellie told me about a little something and got some decent information about the man. It has that hoarse tone to it like her father told me and he just came to Diamond City not too long ago, especially before the kidnappings. He was the man that was yelling about some witches in woods or something like that and was eventually left Diamond City for whatever reason, most likely it's about the kidnappings. "

"And where can he be?"

"It's a possibility that he's in Goodneighbor, it wouldn't surprise me. Also, he talked about needing "a pretty girl in blue dancing in the moon" but I'm not sure what's that all about. I don't believe he's mentally sane so his words and actions may be unpredictable for all we know so far. Although he sounds sane in this tape so far."

Her eyes opened widely and stopped thinking for a second, "Goodneighbor?" He nodded and her heart stopped. "Why does it have to be Goodneighbor?" She thought.

He noticed her reaction to the word and her immediate silence once heard, he looked at her deeply, "Are you okay?"

She quickly looked back at Nick and had a small laugh as she shook her head, "No-I mean yeah, I'm okay. It's just...I did something silly back in Goodneighbor." She tried to laugh about it, but he shouldn't know about her regret back in Goodneighbor nor did he need to know. It was her business that she can deal with, there was never a problem that she couldn't simply take care of herself. "We should head to Goodneighbor as soon as possible before any kidnapping appears."

She started walking to Goodneighbor before he can say another word. She just hopes he doesn't ask anything about it.