"Danse! I know you're in there! Open the door!" She had been pounding on the fragile, termite-pocked door belonging to his room for awhile now, to no answer.

Hotel Rexford had already been booked and filled to the brim when they had arrived there. Hancock however, was gracious enough to kick out several tenants who were already paying customers, despite Nora's continuous pleas against throwing people out on the streets for her. At the very least, he didn't need to procure them four separate rooms.

Preston and Piper had already headed into the market, mainly to Kill or be Killed to pick up guns and ammo. She was invited along but turned them down with the excuse of being tired. Much to her chagrin, Piper seemed to see right through her BS and winked at her suggestively. "Go get 'im tiger!" she had whispered. Nora angrily rolled her eyes and shooed her away.

Of course that's not why she was at Danse's door right now, smashing her fists to pulp and quickly growing angry from being ignored. It was childish, she knew, and she should probably let him have his space, but she wasn't a patient woman, and she wanted to help. "Damn it let me help you! You know I won't go away! Just open the door so we can get this over with faster! Argh!" The door turned inwards as she flew forward and landed by his feet in a crumpled heap.

"Stubborn ass." was all she heard him say before she felt herself being hauled off the dirty carpet and hastily plopped back down on her feet.

"Oh...hey Danse."

"Hey." he sat back down on his bed, clad only in a plain white T-shirt and slacks. His Power Armor loomed in the corner and his rifle was broken down for cleaning on a dilapidated dresser. He continued smoking a cigarette- Synth Component lazily dangling in his left hand.

"Do you...want to talk about it?"

He just raised a brow and a dry expression pasted across his face.

"I'll take that...as a yes?" Obviously not. But they both knew it was going to happen. She decided to take a seat next to him on the bed, and waited for him to speak first.

He leaned in close to her and held the component before her face. "This…is everything that makes me up. This thing is in my head, with pre-programmed thoughts, feelings, ideas. This is my soul. Fabricated. Artificial." he sucked in some more smoke, "I can't even begin to explain to you, how this makes me feel. To know I'm not real." he leaned his head back against the wall. "Makes me feel...like I'm watching life go on from outside of my body. Talking to you right now, in this moment, is like a fractured dream, that I'm fighting to wake up from."

His devastation was so palpable that it sent chills down her spine. His emptiness was one thing, but his feelings of inhumanity lit her chest on fire, and filled her with fury that she was intimately familiar with. It was the same rage when she had confronted Kellogg...and upon meeting the real Shaun.

She smoothed over the wrinkles on her pants in an attempt to calm herself and let out a shaking breath. Nora wasn't exactly sure how to comfort the man, but she had to try her best - she did practically break into his room to do so at least.

"Scientifically...you're not so different from the average person. Technically, all of us are controlled by our genes, just like the code in your mind. We're all subject to the neurotransmitters exciting the synapses in our brain...cells acting almost identically to electronic capacitors that charge and discharge electricity between one another. And don't get me started on the various hormones and organic steroids of the Endocrine system. Shit Danse, you ever see me PMSing? I can't control the hormone high that happens every month. I cry at stupid things and don't even know why I'm mad sometimes it gets so bad." She grinned and snuck a glance at the man. He looked uncomfortable as he scratched at the back of his head with his free hand and looked away.

Gently, she took his hand that held the Component into both of hers turned to fully face him, "This...doesn't matter. This isn't you. Just as much as my hormones aren't me. You are an amazing, multi-faceted, kind, selfless, and loyal friend." she shook her head, "and this little bit of plastic and metal doesn't change that."

A thick pause formed as he held her stare. The air was heavy and she could feel it's electricity caress her skin all the way down her body and up again into her chest and abdomen.

There was an intensity she hadn't seen before... Were his eyes always this soft shade of brown? And there was a hunger in them...not a sexual one...not really. It was something else. A hunger to be saved. A thirst for understanding, and a desire for closeness that seemed to have eluded him his entire life. Had his gaze always been this lonely? Drinking in the world but never able to sate themselves? She didn't want him to be alone anymore.

Her lips parted slightly as she felt herself drown in his eyes.

And then Piper's words burned into the back of her mind and she internally panicked. Just as quick as the moment happened, it ended. She dropped her hands from his own and readjusted herself to be a little less close to him. He seemed to not have noticed the blush that formed on her face, and didn't get upset at her recoiling (did she cover it up well enough? Her chest was pounding). He just ran a free hand through his thick mane of hair and sighed.

"It doesn't mean anything. Biologically, we may be similar. But I'm still a fabrication, holding onto something that isn't real. Nora...I don't have a soul."

She snorted, and squeezed a little at his arm above the elbow, "Danse...mankind has been asking itself whether the soul exists or not since we first started walking upright. It's the Philosophical debate of all eternity." she shrugged, "None of us really know. Some may profess to know, but I've personally never had any inclination or assertion that I know. I was raised with a robotics scientist, remember? I'm rather secular. And personally? I don't really give a damn. I'm here, in the now, right in this moment with you. I don't need a heaven or hell looming over me to guide my actions or to take any pleasure of the present from me. And that's what free will is anyways right? Disregarding outside forces, or even internal forces, if you're really still worried about your coding...you disregard it, decide not to give a damn, and live your life however you see fit, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else."

Thoughtfully, he took a long last drag on his cigarette and discarded it's butt in the ashtray sitting beside his bed. Leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, he sat there for some time, nodding a little while staring at something Nora couldn't see. An internal struggle. She hoped he didn't feel she was full of shit...well...more than she usually was.

"You know," he finally spoke out, "I hate telling you this. Because I really wanted to be left alone. And I hate it when you're right. But...this helped. A little. I still don't like the idea of talking out my "feelings"...I'm not good at this type of thing. And you're so damn infuriating all the damn time...you know that right? I seriously berate myself all the time for deciding to tag along on your crazy ventures." He stared at her, an obvious struggle painted upon his face, "but dammit, when I'm around you...even though you're insane, clarity tends to find its way to me again, after struggling with my despair and disassociation all day long. You speak nonsense constantly, but here you are...saying some of the wisest words I've ever heard...right when I needed to hear them."

She smiled, with a hint of confused perplexity on her face, "Uhh...thank you? You know you really do have a bad habit of being insulting and complimenting at the same time. You ought to get that looked at. That was a lot of crazy bombs."

He chuckled, "Well...if the shoe fits."

"Oooh, look at you getting all sassy again." She couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. Yes. Crisis averted. Victory again. And it always tastes so sweet.

"Hm, now that conceited victory face of yours is showing."

She feigned being appalled, "No way! I don't have one of those!"

"Oh yes you do. And it's almost as ugly as those gross snorting laughs of yours."

Which, upon mentioning started to promptly escape from her lips in a tumultuous staccato.

He shook his head. "At least your smile is nice."

As her laughter eventually ebbed away, the warmth in her cheeks wasn't only an aftermath of her mirth. "Pfft...so you don't think I'm completely ugly! I'm never gonna let you live this down!"

"I refuse to comment."

"Oh, I bet you think I'm prrreeeetty." She teased in a singsong voice.

He turned slightly pink and bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling at her antics, "Now you're just going too far."

"Oh but you don't deny it! I bet you're just dumbfounded and awestruck by my near Grecian goddess statuesque looks." She flailed about in a ridiculous way as if to present herself.

He rolled his eyes. "I kind of get the reference...but obviously it's your humility that deserves a statue."

"Oh most definitely. I couldn't agree with you more."

Nora was proud of the man. Not only was he able to switch gears from deep personal anguish to a type of reserved joviality (which made her think of how he carried on with his job as a soldier all the while still plagued by PTSD), he had also come a very far way with his sarcasm and bullshitting since she first met him. Yeah, he still sounded like a walking thesaurus, but his dorkiness was ridiculously charming in a way. And of course, endlessly entertaining.

He was so damn strong. Sometimes, she didn't give him enough credit and continuously felt the need to protect him. But...it really was all him. She was just there to help.

And this made her ridiculously happy and optimistic for the future. His continued, thriving life, and also optimistic that one day, she would overcome her own mountain of problems.

They sat in comfortable silence for some time, before the idea that Hancock had formed in her mind hours ago came worming back.

"Danse?"

"Mhmm?"

Almost shyly she asked, "Can we hire that guy to teach me how to be a sharpshooter?"

His brows knitted instantly. "I don't like guns for hire. They're highly undisciplined, often have unscrupulous morals, and lack loyalty. Do you really want someone like that at your back?"

Stern Danse back in his stern pants. Nora instantly deflated. God dammit.

He must've noticed, and perhaps felt guilty or charitable or something, because his next words were, "But...I'd consider it...if you let me interview him with you."

Instantly, she jumped up in an excited flurry and whooped loud enough for the tenants below them to hear and reply with a sharp rap on the floor.

Fuck yes. When she was a little girl, her father had taught her to be a decent shot with his Winchester Model 70 when they went out hunting together. Running with the Brotherhood of Steel had made her even better. But this...she had went out and purchased a sniper rifle ages ago...but she just couldn't get it down. Her breathing was all wrong, she was bad at accounting for wind speed. A little guidance may be just what she needed.

"Whatever you say goes! We can go even Good Cop Bad Cop on him."

"The police force has been disbanded for centuries now. What is that?"

"It's where one of us butters him up and the other one intimidates the living hell out of him."

"The Brotherhood calls that the Churchill maneuver." She looked at him with a puzzled expression. He continued, "because he was a shrewd tactician famous for never budging."

"Huh...well okay. You do that then….and I'll be...I dunno FDR? Stalin? No not Stalin…"

He snorted. "Come on. The quicker we get this over with, the less time I have to reconsider."

Nora watched with wide eyes as the two Gunner mercs pushed past her. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Apparently they had it out for the merc she wanted to talk to for operating in their territory.

Danse stood stiff in his Power Armor with a huge scowl plastered over his face. This was going to be short lived. There was no way in hell after that debacle that he would agree to this.

"Hey lady, if you're looking to preach about atom or want a friend or something you need to-" He fully turned to face them and noticed the hulking Power Armored man at her back, "uhh...hey. What uh...what's going on man?"

Danse remained silent and folded his arms before him disapprovingly. Nora decided to get the show on the road. "Hey there. I see that you've met my associate. Former Brotherhood of Steel Paladin Danse." she studied her nails with disinterest, "Yeah...he was kicked out for being too much of a loose canon. Really violent fellow who just has an appetite for destruction and an endless thirst for caps."

Danse looked at her with slight disgust. She gave him a look that screamed, 'just go with it!' and continued her game, "Anyways...I came here to figure out if all the stories were real. Whispers in Goodneighbor have it that you're a pretty decent sharpshooter." She sat in a chair adjacent to the man and studied his face closely. He looked mostly dumbfounded...and definitely nervous. He kept stealing sideways glances at Danse and his trigger hand fidgeted. She needed to calm him. "Please. Have a seat. We have possible employment to discuss and you don't have to worry about us. I'm always a businesswoman first...things only get violent if you piss us off." At that, she reached into her pocket, pulled out a packet of cigarettes and offered them up to him.

After several tense moments, he gingerly took one, let her light it, and had a seat. "Yeah, I've been shooting since I was ten."

She leaned forward and purred, "Oh my, I learned to shoot a gun around the same age. That doesn't explain your qualifications though."

"Look lady, I've been freelance since I was sixteen. I can shoot a man between the eyes at 1600 yards, I can account for wind velocity and speed of a moving target, and I've gotten a total of 234 kills under my belt. I think I know what I'm doing."

She looked to Danse, who seemed quietly impressed. Oh heck yes this guy was good. But before she could speak again her friend stepped forward to tower over the man.

"Who were those men? What kind of trouble are you in?"

The man leaned back, clearly irritated with the subject, "Those two morons are just trying to step on whoever they can so they can climb up the latter of Gunner success. Probably won't get them anywhere though. Shi- stuff doesn't work that way. But oh boy aren't they trying. They've been hounding me for weeks." He sighed, "been scaring off my customers...like you are. Are you guys gonna hire me or what? There's a line forming." He gestured towards a junkie who had accidently stumbled in. He mumbled something nonsensical and asked them if they had any jet.

Nora raised a brow and turned back to man with a sardonic expression. "Oh boy you're a popular one."

Danse didn't miss a beat, "I've had to put down many Gunners who've had the misfortune of crossing paths with me - they're nothing but profiteering scum who lay waste to the innocent. And I don't like the idea of having a reprobate that runs with them at my back as I sleep at night. I figure that if you were morally destitute enough to join with them in the first place, you must lack enough sense to warrant your hire now."

Maccready stood up to his full height - a whole foot and a half shorter than Danse in his Power Armor - and squared his shoulders. The man had balls at least, Nora thought.

"I ain't no Gunner scum Man! Joining them was a mistake. Now, if you don't mind, getting your giant, clanking as- butt, out of my face…"

Nora hopped up excitedly, "Okay! We lied! Danse isn't as cool as I said and I'm not really some mercenary femme fatale boss. I just really really need a sharpshooter instructor but we didn't want to hire a creeper!"

"Huh...what?" Was all the man was able to choke out in response. Danse laid a armored hand across his brow in irritation.

"Yep! And Danse, I think he passed enough of our test right? Can we keep him?"

"Whoa lady, I don't know what you think this is-"

"How much?" She started digging through her pack.

He paused, slightly confused ed do about what had just transpired. "Uhh...250. Non negotiable. You really just want me to teach you sharpshooting?"

"Mhmm...oh and well, help take Fort Independence back from a horde of Mirelurks for the Minutemen. But mostly the teaching stuff. Is 200 enough?"

He sputtered, "Minutemen? Mirelurks? And no! I said non negotiable!"

"Yeah, I'm the Minutemen General." She said nonchalantly and handed over 200 caps. "And EVERYTHING is negotiable MacCready.

Dumbstruck, he looked to Danse to figure out if the she was crazy or not.

"Don't look at me. None of this was my idea." was all he said as he shrugged his shoulders.

"We leave at dawn okay? Don't keep us waiting because I really will hunt you down. The me being violent thing earlier was kind of a joke but not really. You read about me in the Diamond City Paper right? I figure people here read that paper too... Well, I like to blow shit up….so don't run off with my money."

He nodded, mouth hanging open a little.

And at that she waved goodbye, took the massive metal man by the arm, and strode back out into the night.