Johanna hated the openness of the viewing deck, if she was honest. The windows that made up most of the walls in the room looked out onto the whole city and she felt terribly exposed as she waited for Arthur's judgement. He paced wordlessly, leaving her anxiety to wreak havoc on her body and mind.
Though sneaking out to see the wonders of Sanctuary had seemed like a good idea at the time, the Brotherhood hierarchy would see her actions as insubordinant, as she had basically refused to obey a command from a senior officer.
Her breath hitched when Arthur finally turned to face her, his icy blue eyes lacking their usual coldness.
Jo much preferred this Arthur, the real one, as he allowed her to see the emotions he was experiencing so clearly behind those eyes. In that moment, she breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that she wouldn't have to face the full wrath of Elder Maxson. It was just Arthur, the lonely boy who had been forced to grow up too fast.
She was surprised to see the confusion, as Arthur was usually so sure of himself, to the point of arrogance. Now, he watched her almost wearily rubbing his temples as if to confirm his indecision.
"Am I out?" It comes out of her lips in a whisper as she stared into his intoxicating eyes.
His responding laugh did not comfort her.
"I knew you were going to be difficult..." He admits, running a hand through his hair. "Sit," he commands in an authorative tone. Jo obeyed readily, sitting in the chair he motioned to with no hesitation.
When he didn't speak, Johanna filled the silence, feeling as if she could explain, to make him understand...
"I've hardly seen the world, you know. My vault was home for eighteen years... The settlement we visited was amazing. I don't regret it." Jo watched Arthur carefully for his reaction, hoping not to bring out the cold and calculating leader that dwelled inside the young man.
"You put yourself and your team in danger," he replied, crossing his arms across his chest. She couldn't help but to bow her head, knowing he spoke the truth. No matter how she justified her actions, in the end it was about breaking protocol. "I was obviously mistaken about your readiness for field missions."
"No!" Momentarily forgetting herself, Johanna cried out in protest. "I could learn so much! You should be trying to make use of the technology created by these settlers. I-I could help you."
"Is that so?"
"They have electricity- a constant supply for the whole town. If I could get a look at their set up, maybe we wouldn't have blackouts on the Prydwen anymore." Her voice was soft again as she realized who it was that she was speaking to. If Danse had been present, he probably would have fainted in shock of her outburst.
Don't speak unless spoken to, that had been his advice that she had basically trampled over.
"I can't let you endanger your team," he spoke with a hint of regret, one that was deeply seeded, too far to reach with her pleas. "I'm sorry Polowski."
She stood suddenly, feeling a strange flutter in her chest that forced her up to action.
"You're making a mistake," she said it without malice, simply stating a fact. "I could help the Brotherhood so much, but you're going to keep me here- floating on this damned ship for the rest of my life?"
The curse felt unnatural on her lips and her cheeks reddened.
"Two weeks," he said, with no further explanation. Johanna took a moment to consider his words. Perhaps he would only put her on a temporary leave. She drew in a deep breath, unable to draw in enough air as she faced Arthur's full height.
One corner of his mouth lifted in a smirk. He reached out and tapped the bill of her baseball cap.
"This isn't regulation," he said softly.
Johanna wondered for a moment, deciding how to best proceed.
"I guess I won't be needing it now," she muttered, pulling the cap off her head and throwing her braid back over her shoulder.
His lips were still pulled into that half smile, even as he reached to take to cap that she offered to him.
"You won't even miss it. I'm going to keep you very busy for the next few weeks."
