"Piper! Wait!"

The reporter turned her head as she walked, quickly motioning for Sarah to catch up. "Keep up!" She looked down at Dogmeat as she walked. "Was she always this slow?"

Sarah rolled her eyes as she caught up with the two, the dog this time not offering any kind of response. "It'd be nice to know where you're dragging me to and all."

"Hey I'm not dragging you. You're exercising your free will to follow me right now. You can stay outside Diamond City if you want?"

Sarah scoffed. "Like you'd let me. You haven't finished that interview yet. Doubt I'd get out of your sight for a second before you finish that scoop."

"See! You're catching on. Yeah it's on my to do list. Just some matters are more pressing, that's all. We'll get back to that later. After we clear your name and get you back into Diamond City of course, then we can finish the story."

"And how on earth do you plan on doing that? No offense but if you're my defence committee I picture a whole lot of gunfire coming my way."

Piper tutted. "Just because the Mayor and I don't see eye to eye on one.. or one hundred things doesn't mean that I couldn't win. I mean, you'd get shot and all, but I could probably buy you a minute or two first if you want some more noodles."

"Wonderful news." Sarah shook her head. But I could probably go for some more of those noodles...

"No what we're going to need is something a little better. And that's the plan now. We're heading to Goodneighbour." Piper let the destination sink in for a second. "You been there before?"

"I've heard of it but I can't say I've visited. Is it like Diamond City?"

The reporter grimaced slightly. "Not really, like, at all. But it's a good place to find, lets say, interesting characters. And while the guy we're looking for probably isn't there, there will be someone who knows where he is I'm sure."

"Is this that private investigator you were talking about seeing?" Sarah thought back to their discussion while she was under lock and key in Diamond City jail. "Valentine?"

Piper nodded. "That's the one. I dropped by his office and talked to Ellie, his assistant. She says he went out on a case and hasn't been heard from in about a week. It happens from time to time. But she said this time.. no, this time it felt different, wrong in fact. She's been worried sick. So I said I'd look into it."

"That's a lot just for one guy. Is he that big a deal?"

"You'll see when you meet him." Piper licked her lips. "Nick has helped a lot of people and with something like this, yeah, I'd want him looking into it. Especially if the.." Piper shook her head. "We've gotta find him first. So Goodneighbour is our destination. Be good to get there before nightfall. Isn't the safest neighbourhood so don't let the name trick you into a false sense of security. But anyway. What happened with the Mayor? You're still alive. That's a pleasant surprise."

Sarah raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "Thanks? Well he got me into his office and.. I don't know, it was kind of fucked up. He dismissed all his guards so it was just the two of us. Like he didn't want them to hear what was going on or something. Then he started going on about it all being a big misunderstanding, how he knew that I wasn't trying to attack him. Mentioned something about a peacekeeper award?"

"Eugh." Piper screwed up her face in disgust. "He wins it every year. He's also the only nominee by the way, I know that must be a surprise. And he gives a three hour speech every time. Mandatory attendance."

"Three hours? Really?"

"Feels like it." Piper shook her head. "What else did he say?"

"Supposedly there were allegations made by a resident, hence why I was kept locked up while they investigated. Something about me being a menace to society. And then he banished me from the city. Said if I returned action will be taken."

"Ties into that hail of gunfire thing then." Piper checked her pistol as she walked. "Did you mention anything about you know, the man?"

"No." Sarah shook her head firmly. "Didn't even give me a chance. I don't think he would have took it seriously if I did. He'd probably think I'm trying to save face."

"Most likely. Can you describe him? Maybe I know of him."

I can't ever forget his face. Sarah detailed everything she could about the man who had taken Shaun, from the way he looked to the tone of his voice, even how he walked.

"He doesn't sound like anyone I've met before and I'll be honest, I know most of Diamond City." Piper paused before talking tentatively. "Are you sure you, well, you really saw him? I'm no doctor but the psychological effects must be.."

Sarah cut her off. "I saw him. He was there. I don't know how or why, or where he came from.. but he was there. I know it."

The reporter held up her hands apologetically. "Woah, sorry, I believe you. Just wanted to make sure and all."

Sarah smiled weakly. "I know how it must sound. I would probably have doubts too if I was in your shoes."

"Considering you were frozen for two hundred years and only recently came back into the world, I really shouldn't have any doubts about anything to do with you."

"Heh." Sarah actually laughed. "Put it that way and yeah, it's all a little fucked up if you stop to analyse everything. Am I the first by the way?"

"The first?"

"You know, to be banished from Diamond City."

"Oh no." Piper shook her head dramatically. "There was this whole clear out all the ghouls thing a while back. They've got you beat there. That was a whole different kind of situation."

"So I'm in good company then?"

Piper laughed. "Yeah you.." She paused as she caught sight of movement ahead. The reporter ducked down, Sarah soon following suite. "We've got something up front. You see?"

Sarah nodded. "I've got 'em"

Three super mutants were making their way through a old building, the windows long blown out. Sarah flicked her eyes over to Piper, the reporter keenly watching the unaware mutants.

Shit. What am I doing? I've dragged her into this and I don't even know if she can handle what's out here. She's armed but can she actually use any of it properly? She's got a sister back home and..

"I think they're gone." Piper snapped Sarah out of her thoughts as she stood back up. "Damn abominations. You had any trouble with them?"

Sarah nodded as she stood. "Once or twice. Tough, but not too smart."

"Thankfully." Piper began to walk again but Sarah reached out to grab her arm.

"Piper. I appreciate you doing all this, really I do. But I don't want to put you in harms way. I've already got you into enough trouble as it is and you've got your sister and.."

Piper held up her hand, a true smile forming on her features. It was the most beautiful thing Sarah had seen in weeks.

"Blue. I get it. You're too nice to say it, but you're thinking this ol' reporter gal won't be able to cut it in a fight." The smile disappeared as a more focused expression formed.. "But this isn't my first time on the road. I know the dangers. And if push comes to shove, I know I have what it takes to survive. Yeah it's difficult to leave Nat every time. I'm sure she lays awake thinking that maybe this will be the time I don't make it back." Piper sighed. "That's a heavy weight to handle. But I do so because it's the right thing to do. There are people out here that needs my help. When I write.. it can help people. I gather contacts, a network and because of that we all benefit. Some people just need a little hope to help them get through the day. If I can give that to them, I will. No matter what's out here." Piper grinned. "Just don't give me a rocket launcher. It'll all go to hell."

The joke attempted to lighten the mood but Sarah couldn't help but focus on how much she respected Piper's determination to try and make things better, even just for a few. "That's.. really noble." Noble? That's the best you could come up with? Eugh.

"I know right? I should be getting that damn peacekeeper award, not the Mayor!" Piper grinned as she nudged her companion. "Just know I've got your back, okay?"

"Thank you. I do appreciate everything you've done for me."

"That's what friends are for. Or you know, historic relics I like drilling for information."

Sarah raised both eyebrows. "So I'm a relic now?"

"You're certainly precious." Piper's eyes shot open widely as she stumbled on her words. "Er, oh, I mean. Like as in a, well you know!" The reporter's mind raced. "Artifact!" Piper shot around as her face turned a certain shade of red as she blurted out the word. "Come on! We've got to get going."

Piper started to walk again with Dogmeat trotting happily behind her. Despite her confusion at Pipers reaction, Sarah followed her two companions with the woman's thoughts soon following a similar pattern to that of Pipers.

You're precious too, Piper.


Just a quick note - I'm not sure if I've said it on this story, but I'm very much a conversation/story writer rather than an action writer. And because of that, I'm not going to be bogged down with lots of 'pew pew!' fighting with enemies around every corner like in the game sometimes. I'd rather focus on the characters (and I suck at action!)

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a great few weeks. Glad to be back. Thanks for all the kindness, comments and follows. I do appreciate it a lot.

Next up our deadly duo heads into Goodneighbour to pin down a location for the illusive Mr. Valentine!