"Wake up, Blue. We've got things to do."

Eugh. What I wouldn't give for a good old cup of coffee.

Sarah rolled over, attempting to ignore Piper's words. "Just give me five more minutes. I swear. Five more minutes..."

Six minutes later.

"Okay, that's your lot. I even let you have an extra minute because I'm a giver after all."

Sarah groaned as she opened her eyes. "Someone's going to take advantage of that generous nature one day."

Piper shook her head. "They can try, but I'm a good judge of character. Talking of characters, what did Hancock want last night?"

"Ever the reporter, eh?" Sarah rubbed her eyes as she stood from the bed, stretching her arms into the air which brought a small groan from her lips. "What's your story with him?"

"Hancock?" The reporter shrugged nonchalantly. "He's always treated me right since I've been coming by here. He can be intimidating and you don't want to get on his bad side, but he wants to do some good here. I interviewed him once but he asked me to scrap it before it went to press. Shame, there was some juicy stuff in there."

"You scrapped it?"

"Yeah. I mean I didn't exactly want the force of Goodneighbor on me. It's hard enough getting around as it is, especially getting good leads and solid sources. And he's looked out for me, so I respect his wish." Piper narrowed her eyes. "Don't get any ideas now. Your story will definitely be going to press."

"If we ever finish that interview." Sarah grinned.

"We will, I told you, after we get back into Diamond City and clear your name. But before all that, we need to get things done outside of it's walls. So you can start by telling me what Hancock wanted you for in the middle of the night? I'm not stupid, I know it wasn't for some welcome speech." She nodded towards Dogmeat. "He didn't believe that either."

Sarah looked towards Dogmeat, the animals head tilting slightly in confusion. "Who's a smart boy?" Dogmeat happily wagged his tail as he welcomed the scratch just behind the ear from Sarah. She glanced at Piper, the reporter slightly raising an eyebrow.

"You can forget scratching me behind the ear too, Blue."

Sarah laughed as she moved towards the door. She opened it, briefly looking out before closing it once more. Piper's eyebrow stayed in place. "Jeez, paranoid?"

"You can never be too careful." Sarah took a seat on the bed next to Piper. "He took me to what looked like a warehouse a few minutes away." Sarah paused. Should I tell her? Hancock must believe that I would, given his mind games. If I don't there's..

Piper waved her hand in front of Sarah's face. "Oh no. None of this think of a story malarkey. Truth, now."

"You can be quite forceful." Sarah grinned.

"Sometime you have to be. Continue."

Sarah chuckled slightly, quickly shaking it away as she became serious once more. "Ryke was chained up in the warehouse." She watched for any flashes of emotion on Piper's face, but the reporter's expression gave nothing away.

"I see." Piper paused for a few seconds before her voice returned, a little uncertainly. "Did you kill him?"

Their eyes locked. Sarah's answer was firm. "No."

Piper let out a sigh of relief. "I'm glad to hear that. But he is dead though, isn't he?"

Sarah nodded. "He is."

"I thought so. Still. It's a waste. Hancock offered you the chance to take his life. Because you stood up for me in the courtyard."

"Yes."

"Why didn't you? I mean don't get me wrong, I think you did the right thing."

Sarah pondered her answer. "It's not who I am. I know that in this world, there are times where I will need to take a life. For my protection, for those who accompany me. But ever since I got out of the vault, it's not something that I've done lightly. If I could, I've actively avoided doing so. It took a pep talk from a bloody housekeeper to even snap me into that line of thinking. I.." Sarah paused. "This is probably where I should say off the record, but who cares, right? Everyone's gone. Before the war, I hated guns. My husband was a soldier. He was so proud and there were parts of me that was proud of him.. but parts of me hated him for it too. He served his country with dignity. But he didn't like the thoughts of being settled, of being tied down." Tears began to well in Sarah's eyes. "Son of a bitch was looking for an exit. One night when he was away on deployment I heard a noise in the kitchen. I grabbed one of his pistols from his draw in our room. He taught me how to use it, said it'd be a precautionary matter but also something 'fun' to do together." Sarah shook her head as tears freely fell. "There was a man in the kitchen trying to rob us, thought we'd be an easy target with Nate gone. He came at me with a knife. He didn't see the gun since it was dark. I shot him square between the eyes. He was dead before he hit the floor."

Piper pulled Sarah into a hug. "That's.. that's horrible. I'm so sorry you went through that."

"Thanks." Sarah pulled away slightly as she started to wipe the tears away from her eyes. "I know in this world it's a common occurrence. But.. it changed a lot back then. Nate was around a lot more. He felt bad about what had happened. We soon realized, well I did at least, that being together was pushing us apart even more. I was ready to leave when.."

"The baby?"

Sarah nodded. "It rocked my world. And so I stayed. I thought, maybe, it could be a fresh chance for us. A new opportunity." She motioned around the room. "Guess I was right in some way." Sarah wiped her eyes dry. "At least there's no makeup to run." She muttered before clearing her throat. "So that's why. I didn't want to put him down while he was tied up. That wasn't me. And I didn't think you'd want that either."

"You did the right thing, Blue. And I can't imagine what you went through. Hell I still can't even begin to imagine what you're going through now. But you're wrong about one thing."

"Which part?"

Piper reached out to squeeze her hand. "You said everyone's gone. That's not true. Your son is out there somewhere. And we're going to find him."

Sarah smiled softly. "You're right."

"Of course I am. Now!" Piper bounced to her feet. "Lets go and get started." She offered Sarah her hand once more.

Sarah couldn't help but find Piper's spirit infectious. "I'm with you." Taking her hand, she stood as the two women began to collect their belongings. After a couple of minutes, they shared a silent nod as they walked towards the door.

"What are you going to say to Hancock?"

Piper looked at Sarah. "About what you told me? Nothing."

Sarah narrowed her eyes. "I don't believe you."

The reporter portrayed mock offense. "I can't believe you don't believe me. I'm going to say nothing. I might punch him in the face though, for putting you through it."

"I.. don't think that'd be a good idea."

Piper grinned. "Don't worry, it'll be fine. I'll be gone before he gets back up. I'm quick on my feet. Try to keep up!" The reporter laughed as she hopped down the stairs, Sarah couldn't help but smiling as she did so too.

Sometimes it's good to just pretend...

"Okay Piper, I get it, you're still a kid and.." As she reached the bottom of the staircase, she had to suddenly stop herself from bounding into someone else. "Oh, I'm sorry I.." She stepped back as she took in the familiar attire. "It can't be.."

The ghouls eyes went wide, the shock not hidden from his expression or words. "It's.. it's you! Sanctuary Hills! How.. HOW are you here?"

Piper stood confused as she watched the interaction between the ghoul and Sarah. "Err.. should I be concerned or..?"

Sarah stood dumbfounded. The Vault-Tec rep. He's a ghoul. And he's right.. fucking.. here. Before she knew what she was doing, she grabbed the ghoul into a hug.

To Piper's shock, the ghoul hugged her back. "Well I didn't see this coming."

This wasn't a planned chapter (I was getting them hunting for info, which'll be next time now) - bits were, but I expanded on somethings I considered leaving out until later. Still, I wanted to delve a bit more into Sarah, who she is, things she's done and experiencing etc. Plus to show that she's being truthful with Piper. Guess she feels comfortable.