Chapter Seven: The Day

Iliana stood on the flight deck, her uniform tied about her waist so her shoulders could enjoy some of the warm Commonwealth morning sunlight. She took a deep breath, fresh air filling her lungs. The morning almost felt normal, like she should be sitting in her front yard, coffee in hand, Codsworth chatting about the day to come. She smiled at the thought, surprised that she had found something about this new world to consider normal.

She felt a flutter in her chest, today was the day she would take her fight to the Institute. She was ready but nervous, what would she find when she finally got there? Would she find Shaun, or would this be just another step in this never ending goose chase? Iliana certainly hoped she could put an end to this once and for all, she hoped she could have some part of her family back, some part of her normal back.

Entering the Prydwen she noticed that Maxson was not on the command deck like she expected. Remembering their last few meetings had been in his quarters she decided to head there. Her head held high, the anticipation aching, today was the day.

She knocked on the door, three loud rasps; she had secretly hoped to startle him. But when he answered the door, running his hand through his dark hair clearly unfazed, she knew she would have to try harder to get the steadfast Elder of the Brotherhood to startle.

"Good morning, Iliana." Arthur gestured her into his room, beckoning her to sit.

"Morning, sunshine." She beamed, tossing herself down on the worn couch. This had recently become one of her favorite spots on the ship. She would lounge on the couch, her boots propped up on a chair as they spoke. The room was always warm, but not uncomfortably so, and the soft amber lighting was easy on her eyes. She was comfortable here.

Arthur cleared his throat; he had prepared a speech, figuring it would ease his nervousness of sending her back out to fight. They had already spoken several times about their potential strategy so he felt as if he was repeating himself, but none the less he felt like he needed to for his own sanity.

"By now I'm sure you've deduced that our arrival in the Commonwealth wasn't coincidental. We're here because of a unique energy reading recorded by Paladin Danse's recon team. According to our scribes the reading indicated a level of technology that only the Institute could achieve. The moment this information came to light, our mission became clear. The Institute and everyone responsible for the creation of the synths must be eliminated, at all costs."

He paused as he sat across from her, surveying her expression, "To accomplish this goal, we need to locate the Institutes headquarters. I've had our scribes meticulously searching the commonwealth, but, as you know, they've come up empty handed. The only logical explanation is that they've gone underground. That's where we need your help."

Remembering her trek through the Glowing Sea as fondly as her wound from Fort Strong she knew now was the time to bring this information to light. They would finally be closer to finding the Institute, to finding Shaun.

She spoke, her throat dry and her nerves igniting, "I have a way to infiltrate the institute using a device called the signal interceptor."

Maxson looked shocked, she hadn't mentioned anything before, "So it appears we share a common goal. I'm pleased that you've chosen to build the device with the Brotherhood. Now indulge me for a moment, while satisfying my curiosity. Tell me again why you're so eager to get into the institute."

"I think… I think they're the ones that kidnapped my son." She stammered. Though she had always alluded to this, she had never spoken it outright to him.

He nodded, leaning back in the old wooden chair, which seemed to be dwarfed by his large frame, "Of course. The Institute preys on the weak to further their own ends. Together well make them pay for their crimes. I'll call ahead and brief Proctor Ingram. Report to the airport to get to work on your project right away."

Iliana sighed with relief, "I can't tell you how happy I am to get this show on the road, Arthur. The funny thing is, I have played over the scenario of finding Shaun time and time again, but what do you say to your ten year old son who has no idea who you are? What if he doesn't want me, Arthur? What do I do then? I've fought so hard to get here, I don't know if I could bare it." She trembled slightly at the thought.

Arthur jumped up from his chair, positioning himself on the couch next to her, her resolve was slipping and he couldn't have that. She couldn't doubt herself as she went out into the field, that could lead to mistakes, to accidents, and he couldn't handle the thought of that.

He grabbed her shoulders, turning her towards him, "everything will be fine, Iliana. You'll find your son. I'm sure he'll know, children have ways of knowing things. Just speak from your heart." A single stray tear ran down her cheek, he swiftly wiped it away with his thumb, placing his hand on her cheek.

Such a tender gesture left Iliana feeling like she would crumble into a weepy heap on the Elder's couch. His palm was warm on her cheek, almost hot even. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress her panic. She looked up, into his steely blue eyes staring intently at her. He was right, she thought, he had to be.

Arthur didn't want to see her break down here; he didn't want to see her break down at all, really. He grabbed her legs, pulling her into his lap. She fit perfectly, her legs draping over one side of his, her arms reaching up and snaking around his neck. He held her for a moment, her face buried in the crest of neck.

Iliana fought hard to hold back her tears, she was sick of crying; she focused on breathing, on being, on Arthur. He smelled dark and musky, a kind of masculine sent, like the cigars he liked to smoke. For a moment she felt the safest she had since the bombs fell. She looked up at him, searching his face for something, for anything.

In that moment, Arthur couldn't fight the impulse any more. He pulled her closer into him, holding her tighter. His lips fell softly on hers, all tenderness and gentle emotion. Iliana accepted willingly, her tongue racing over his soft bottom lip. He kissed her deeper, never wanting to break this moment, never wanting to stop. Her hands on the back of his head and neck, urging him to continue.

Arthur pulled her shirt free from her flight suit, his hand splayed across the smooth skin on her lower back. She adjusted her legs to either side of his hips; he pushed her into him, grinding against her heat, slowly, excruciatingly. The fabric of her damn uniform keeping him from getting any closer to her.

Iliana slid her hands into his coat, pushing it down off of his shoulders. Her fingers danced around the sinewy curves of his muscular arms. Where was this going and would she stop it, she thought. She had needed this, she needed someone to hold her, to love her, to kiss the pain away.

The last time a man had touched was... that day. The day the world died. Nate. She saw his face in her mind's eye, his warm smile and his scruffy five o'clock shadow. Who was she kidding, she couldn't do this. Iliana pulled back, pushing him away lightly. Tears stung her eyes but she would not let them fall.

She took a deep breath and began to move out of his arms, "I should report to Proctor Ingram. I am quite anxious to resume my search."

Arthur panicked, was it something he had done? Had he misread something that may not have been there? He stood up quickly, following her towards the door.

He stammered, nervously, "Very well. Um… I'm sorry if I did something."

She turned back towards him, her cheeks red and her eyes wide, "No, it's alright. I just… I can't."

And with that she turned and fled quickly down the Prydwen's corridors.