Where in the world had that robot gotten to? Vera could always count on Codsworth to be patrolling the area around the dead-end circle, perhaps pausing to trim a bush or pick up a stray piece of debris. That was one of the perks about robots; when they had their routine programmed, you could pretty much count on them doing what you'd expect. Today, however, he was not floating around the guard post, nor was he in any of the neighboring houses. In fact, Mama Murphy said she hadn't seen him all morning when asked. Vera had something she needed to tell her Mr. Handy, but puzzled and at a loss, she decided to try again later that afternoon. Perhaps she'd just go home and get her things packed for their upcoming trip to Diamond City.

As she went to open the front door to her house, she paused, frowning. There were voices inside! Who in the world… Did Jun get lost again? She turned the knob and opened it hurriedly, and when she did, she was greeted with a sight she could never have seen coming. One of the chairs around her dining table was pulled away so Codsworth could hover in place as if seated at the spot. Across from him and actually sitting in a chair was Sturges. When he heard the door open and saw her walk in, he immediately looked apologetic. In fact, he practically jumped to his feet.

"Ms. Vera, I didn't mean to intrude while you were gone. It's just that me an' Codsworth here were just catching up over some tea, and…" She stopped processing his words after that last part. For the first time, she noticed the mugs in front of each of them, particularly comical considering Codsworth could not actually drink anything.

"Tea?" she blurted, trying not to crack up when both parties seemed so sincere. It was not easy.

"Well…yeah. I've been after Codsworth to get together and get to know each other a bit better, considerin' we're neighbors now and all. The fella's really been takin' care of the place since the Great War, you know? He invited me over. We thought you were going to be gone longer. Not that we were trying to take advantage of your house while you were gone, it's just that Codsworth said the tea was in here, so…"

"Codsworth, we still have tea?! You didn't mention that!" Vera squawked, putting her hands on her hips.

"Of course, mum. Right where you left it two hundred and ten years ago," Codsworth replied seriously. "You never asked me to make you any, so I never did. Shall I perhaps brew you a cup?"

Vera pinched the bridge of her nose. "The tea in the back cupboard must have slipped my mind over the last two hundred and ten years. Don't worry, if it's all right with you I'll just drink yours." She paused, eyes widening. "You didn't actually drink your cup, did you?"

"Don't be silly, mum, robots can't drink!"

"Hey, I've seen some weird things since I stepped out of the vault. I'd believe it if you told me you could!"

"Well, I can assure you, mum, I just put this mug of water in front of myself for ambience while Mr. Sturges enjoyed the real deal. I did not waste a bag of perfectly good Darjeeling on myself. Allow me to heat up some water outside." With that, Codsworth left his spot at the table, grabbed the teapot on the counter with his pincer appendages, and floated on out the door. That left Vera and a very bewildered Sturges.

The man scratched his head and chuckled nervously. "I've learned my lesson: don't ever make jokes to robots. They take things very seriously…"

"What do you mean?" Vera wondered. She came over to the table and pulled up a chair next to Sturges.

"Thing is, I was joking about the whole getting together for some tea. Not the getting together part, mind you, just the tea part. You know, that accent of his, it just seemed like…ah, never mind. That nice fella actually made me tea, though I didn't realize it was yours. I am sorry about that."

"Don't be. It takes some getting used to when you first start dealing with Mr. Handys. When Nate and I decided to get Codsworth right around the time I was pregnant, we were actually very nervous about having a robot in the house. Like you said, they don't always process things the way you intend." Vera stopped and shook her head with a smile. "But now, he's like part of the family, even if he can't interpret all my human emotions. I can't tell you how thankful I was when I showed up after all that time in the vault and found him here still trying to tidy up."

"I've discovered we're like kindred spirits, him an' me. Just wanna keep things looking in top shape." Sturges seemed to relax.

"Yes. The coincidence that both my Mr. Handys got together for tea is not lost on me!"

The faintest hint of a blush dusted his cheeks. "Well, it does make me feel better about pick up and moving down the road, knowing the place is in good hands. Er, claws? Pincers?"

Vera laughed. "Either way, I know what you mean. Though I'm sorry to say I'm stealing Codsworth for a few weeks. That was what I was hoping to tell him, but I couldn't find him because he was here having his little social hour!"

"That's a long time to be gone, Ms. Vera. Where are you going?" Was it just her, or did his mood dampen at that news?

"We've finally cleared a path to Diamond City with plenty of settlements along the way. It's time to start searching for Shaun, and I want Codsworth to do it with me. Shaun was Codsworth's family too, and he should be there even if he isn't a Mr. Gutsy. I know for a fact he has flamethrower capabilities and buzz saws in case the going gets rough."

"Well, then I wish you all the best. Mama Murphy is right, there's no better place to start looking than Diamond City." Suddenly, Sturges got to his feet. "Be safe out there, Ms. Vera. You always have a place to come back to if you need it. I'll make sure of it." There it was, an unmistakable hint of melancholy showing in his typically cheerful face. She did not like the look of it one bit.

Before he could walk away, she reached out and grabbed his wrist. "I'm not leaving for good, Sturges. It might be a longer trip than what I've been doing so far, but this is still my home. Also, why the rush to leave? Won't you stay and watch me drink tea?"

Her facetious remark brought the smile back to his face. "Only fair, seein' as we didn't invite you to our party."

Vera snorted and pulled him down. When he was seated again, she covered his hand in hers instead of letting go. He'd never taken off his leather gloves, not even to share a hot beverage with a robot. "But in all seriousness, thank you for being so kind to Codsworth. It means a lot to me."

Sturges just shrugged. "I'm just treating him with respect, seeing as he does so much for us. It's really no big deal."

"Aww, that's why I…" She suddenly stopped. She'd almost said 'love you', and it would be taken the wrong way. Unless she actually meant it? But that would be impossible after only a month and a half… Quick, something else! "That's why you're the best."

If he noticed her catch, he didn't show it, and thankfully Codsworth entered with a steaming mug right on cue. "Here you are, mum. I'm afraid I can't stay and chat, the posies were looking simply dreadful and I've blathered on all morning with Mr. Sturges. I do hope it is to your liking."

"Thanks Codsworth. Don't stray too far, I've got to talk to you later, okay?"

"Okay, mum, can do!" The robot scurried out the front door, leaving just the two humans and a single steaming cup of tea.

Vera inhaled, appreciating the aroma she'd missed for so long. "Does it still taste good?"

"Tasted fine to me. Better than half the stuff I've eaten at least."

"Hmm." She paused thoughtfully. "It isn't an actual tea party until we bring out the cakes. You want to share some Fancy Lad Snack Cakes? I know for a fact I have some in my cupboard."

Sturges grinned. "Now THAT is better than 99.9% of the stuff I've eaten, and I couldn't tell you what that other tenth of a percent would be. Darn right I will!"

It ended up being the laziest morning Sturges ever had, being that he got invited to tea twice, but unlike normal he wasn't going to complain. It would be a long time before Vera came back, and he'd be burying himself in his work the entire time she was away.