AN: Hello Friends, how are you? Is everything good? Thanks for being patient with me everyone, finals are done now though so I've had some time to figure out what's happening with the story so here's a big update
There are only 3 chapters left
Before you start worrying, That's not the end of the story. With 3 more chapters, it will reach 40 chapters in total. That's insane?! 40 chapters?! How did I get here? So, to make things less bulky I've decided I'm going to split this story into 3 parts. This has been the first part and it is ending in 3 chapters. I will then start a NEW story, which will be part 2 of this...trilogy. That will probably have about 40 chapters as well, and then the final part, which will also have around 40 chapters. I don't want to make this a fanfiction with 120 chapters, that feels crazy. (Am I crazy?) So here's what will happen. In 3 weeks, I will post the last chapter and there will be a month long break, I will then post a new chapter here linking to the next part of the story. Which will pick up where this one left off. I wanted to say thank you again to everyone who reads, your reviews, messages, even just views, have made me happier then I can put into words. Anyways I'm also going to say, if you have ANY questions about Anne, Mac, the world, writing, anything feel free to PM me, or leave it in a review, and when I post that new story I will also answer questions if I get enough. I hope you guys all are doing great, now enough of me, let's get into this. Enjoy.
MacCready felt the tree behind him, the bark digging into his back. His leg hurt, and he could feel the heat of the sun on his face. He could feel the dampness in his shoes, under his clothes, and in his ears.
Why was I in the water again? And then he remembered, and his eyes shot open.
"Anne?!" There was a small fire in front of him, where fish were on sticks, and he heard footsteps come running up to him. He turned quickly, reaching for his rifle, but not finding it.
Shit.
"Oh thank god you're awake." Her voice instantly relaxed him, and his eyes rested on the woman as she kneeled before him; She was paler than usual, but otherwise, the blood that had been on her shirt seemed mostly washed away. She took his hand and smiled weakly at him. How were her hands still so soft?
"What happened?" He looked down at his leg, seeing it bandaged. He remembered getting shot, though he wished he didn't.
"That fisherman said he heard us splashing. We'd lost a lot of blood so he used our stimpaks and has been watching us for the past hour," she leaned in closer, "I checked our caps, didn't take any. I gave him some anyways to say thanks." she stood up, running her hands over her legs and tucking some hair behind her ear. He was glad to see she was learning; a few weeks ago she wouldn't have even thought of checking her caps. It made him a bit sad, knowing that woman was gone.
Anne held her hand out, which MacCready greedily took in his own. She helped him up, and they stood there for a moment, hands locked together and looking at one another.
I could've lost you.
"You're okay? I told you not to run ahead of me," he said squeezing her hand. Anne rolled her eyes, letting out a frustrated sigh.
"I'm fine. And what other option was there? You running ahead? You'd slow us both down, and instead of me getting shot, it would have been you," she shook her head, "that was the only option." MacCready groaned.
She's right.
"What time is it?" he asked and Anne looked at her pipboy,
"About 4. We start walking now we can get to goodneighbor by dark if you're feeling good enough."
"Yeah, I'm good to go. Let's just not do any running please" he bent his knee slightly, feeling a dull pain; it was tolerable though, and he wanted to get the hell out of here.
"I'll just let that old man know, I'll be right back." MacCready sighed watching her make her way around the tree. He leaned against it pulling out a cigarette. It was in his hands when he saw that it was soaked. Ah great. He decided instead to follow her to the old man.
They were mid-conversation when MacCready walked up. Anne glanced at MacCready and smiled weakly.
"That's just awful, torturing humans or synths is wrong don't you think?" the old man asked, he was putting what looked like meat on some hooks."
"I mean...I guess so. From what that lady said they are physically just like humans. If that's true it doesn't seem right to torture them," Anne shrugged, "I mean the institute is evil, but it's not the synths fault." she said shaking her head and sighing.
MacCready hadn't expected that response, but the way she put it made sense almost; if they were just like humans, wasn't treating them lesser wrong? It made his head hurt too think about it. The man was looking at her with an odd look.
"Hm, good to know. But you two should head out, you have a long walk ahead of you, where ever you are going." Anne nodded, thanking the man and she turned, making her way off towards the city. MacCready nodded at the man who nodded back and chased after the red-head woman.
They walked slowly through the wastes, managing to sneak their way around raiders to avoid conflict, they snuck past a raider camp stationed on a bridge, Anne got up to the turret and pulled some wires out, making the turret let out a long beep. He could hear the raiders behind him say something in surprise.
"Let's go," Anne whispered, hopping down. She turned to him holding up her hand, which he took. He winced as his legs made contact with the ground again, but Anne gave his hand a squeeze before letting go. He followed after her, and they ran across the bridge, hearing the raiders behind them shouting. It started raining, but not to hard, and MacCready could see a man at the end of the bridge, a raider.
He raised his rifle quick, taking only seconds to get his sights on him and fired at the raider. The man reached up, grabbing his throat but made no noises as he fell to the ground. They got to the end of the bridge, the blood from the neck wound now pooling around the horrified looking man. Anne looked down at the dying man before slamming her bayonet into his head.
"Why did you do that?" MacCready asked. Anne kept staring at the body.
"It was the kindest thing to do." her voice was soft like a ghost was saying it. MacCready would've said something but as the wind blew past it seemed to take the ghost with it, and Anne was moving back down the bridge again. They got to the end, pulling open the final door and slamming it behind them, leaving the dead man to be found by his friends.
They snuck their way through the streets, making their way past the super mutants until they saw the neon sign of Goodneighbor. He'd never been happier to see this shit-hole. They looked at each other with relief before making their way as fast as they could to the gate. Once in the safety of Goodneighbor MacCready let out a long sigh leaning against the wall.
"You're going to be the death of me," he said and Anne let out a laugh, punching him lightly in the arm.
"You wouldn't have it any other way." she teased, and they walked towards Daisy's shop. She looked at them surprised.
"You two look like hell, and that's a compliment coming from me." MacCready rolled his eyes.
"Been a long day Daisy. Wanted to ask if you had heard from that caravan?" He asked, and Daisy nodded.
"Got the radio transmission yesterday; arrived in Megaton last night. Should've got the cure to your boy earlier today," relief that MacCready had never felt before poured over him, and he could feel the tears start to well in his eyes. He placed his hand on his face, trying to hide it. An arm came around him and he grabbed onto Anne like she was saving him from drowning.
"He's got it, Robert," she said into his ear. He felt a sob escape him before he shook his head taking a step back. He wiped his face and looked down at Anne, feeling the stupid grin that showed off his broken teeth spread across his face. She returned his smile with her own.
"I'll have my guys keep checking in Greyditch while they are in the capital, see if there are any updates" MacCready turned his attention back to Daisy and nodded. Daisy glanced around, before gesturing him to come closer.
"You talk to her kid?" Daisy whispered, her eyes still on him, but a hint of a smile on her face.
"Yeah I did, thanks, Daisy. For everything." she smiled, at him and patted his shoulder.
"What are you going to do then? Once Duncans better," Daisy asked rubbing her chin with her other hand, "I don't like the idea of you leaving the commonwealth; lose that pretty face." she teased reaching out and pinching MacCready's cheeks. He wormed himself away laughing, shaking his head.
"I don't know yet Daisy. I'll have to figure that out with Anne. She's got problems with her own son. I owe her at least that." He said, glancing at Anne again, noticing she was laughing while talking to Kleo. He felt his lips move of their own volition to a smile as he looked at her. He could watch her laugh all day.
"You've got it, bad kid," MacCready's head snapped back to the ghoul.
"What?" Daisy shook her head in disbelief, placing her hand over his.
"I'm just happy to see you happy MacCready. You deserve it, you're a good guy." she smiled with her torn lips. MacCready smiled back at her, noticing Anne walk back over.
"Want to head to the third rail? Grab some whisky?" she said to MacCready before turning her attention to Daisy.
"You stop by the library yet?" She asked and Anne shook her head.
"Probably heading there soon. Been a busy week." Anne sighed, and Daisy nodded.
"No rush, libraries not going anywhere," Daisy chuckled, looking between the two of them, "I won't keep you guys, you look like you need a drink,"
"You could say that again," MacCready grumbled looking down at Anne who was smirking at him. They said their goodbyes to Daisy, walking to the third rail and making their way down the stairs Anne walked up to the bar like she had done it a million times, and not only twice before.
"Is the VIP section taken?" Anne asked, looking up to Charlie.
"Well your manners seem to be in there since you don't have any," Charlie said back, annoyed.
Anne pulled out some caps, "I'll pay whatever it is for the VIP room, and two bottles of whiskey, and some ribeyes." Anne place a small pile of caps on the bar. Charlie took the caps and grumbled something MacCready couldn't hear before turning and grabbing two bottles and handing them to her. Anne smiled.
"Always a pleasure Charlie," she said walking towards the VIP section, putting a bottle in MacCreadys hand.
"You spoil me," he followed her as they made their way to the VIP section, he could hear Magnolia singing behind them. He didn't pay attention to her, Anne was walking through the fall to the VIP section taking her coat off, and her skin was taking up all of his attention. She walked up to the couch by his chair, flopping down stomach, and her coat fell on the floor beside it. MacCready sat in the chair he had been sitting in for weeks before he met her. He opened the bottle taking a swig, reaching for his cigarette and then remembering what had happened to them.
"Today was hell," Anne grumbled into the couch rolling over onto her back. He could see the holes in her shirt where the bullets had gone through, and there was still blood stain on it.
"Who's fault was that?" He asked, glancing at her and smirking.
"I'm sorry okay, I didn't think it would be a town where they murdered people to figure out if they were synths!" she threw her arms up towards the ceiling.
"Should've just walked away, because next time we pass by those turrets are going to have a field day with us," he said with a sigh, taking a long swig of the whiskey.
"I'm sorry, want me to say it a million more times?" she sounded annoyed. He put the bottle down and let out a long sigh.
"Anne, I'm just bugging you." he looked at her, noticing her had her hands on her face now.
"I almost got you killed." She groaned and MacCready shook his head.
"No. No, you didn't, you almost got yourself killed. I would've been fine." Her hands were still on her face, so he sighed. Pulling himself out of the chair he moved beside her, crouching.
"Anne." she shook her head. He took her hands, pulling them from her face. She was crying.
"What's wrong? Did I do something?" he asked keeping her hands in his own. Anne shook her head looking up at the ceiling, away from him.
"No, just...after seeing Nate die...the idea of losing you just...scares the shit out of me." she shook her head, pulling her one hand away and wiping her face.
"I know," MacCready chuckled, "I know. The idea of losing you like I lost Lucy is terrifying." he ran his fingers over her knuckles, feeling scar from where she had been hit earlier today.
Anne was wiping her face laughing, "God we're the two fucked up people." she said looking at him. He smiled weakly back, kissing her forehead, her free hand resting on his cheek now.
"Am I interrupting?" came a grumpy British voice from behind them. MacCready stood up walking over and taking the ribeyes from the robot's claws.
"Yes. You are." and Charlie grumbled, floating out of the room, saying something about manners. MacCready walked back placing the plate in Anne's hands. She sat up, MacCready sat back in his chair. Anne had her legs crossed and started eating.
They ate through the food fast, MacCready hadn't realized how hungry he was, but now as soon as he had the meat in his mouth he noticed how empty his stomach felt. They finished setting the plates down. Anne stretched out on the crouch and MacCready sank into the chair, bottle in hand.
"You know before I met you I didn't drink or smoke," Anne said and MacCready looked at her. She was staring at the bottle as if it had answers in it.
"Are you trying to say I'm a bad influence?" MacCready chuckled. Anne shook her head.
"No, I mean...I did it when I was a teenager, but I quit once I got married...was a good housewife." MacCready spits out his whiskey, laughing.
"You? A Good housewife," He shook his head, "I can't see it."
"Nate wanted the whole thing. Housewife, with a picket fence, a son, a daughter later," She shrugged, "But I didn't want to waste my degree, so I convinced him I would start working. He wasn't happy about that." She looked like she was lost in thought, rolling onto her back and staring at the ceiling.
"I can't see you stuck at home, cooking and cleaning."
"No one did. My dad and stepmother were shocked. Maybe eventually I would've eventually gotten bored."
"Didn't you like being married?" MacCready asked and Anne shrugged.
"I loved parts of it, I loved Nate, but I mean no ones perfect, we fought about stuff." she let out a sad sigh. MacCready leaned back. He remembered fighting with Lucy, her not liking that he was still working, she wanted him to stay with her, find a place to settle down.
I should have listened to her.
"Yeah, I know what you mean." He mumbled, looking up at the cracked ceiling. They sat there in silence for a bit, both of them just looking at the roof and drinking, thinking about fights about things that now seemed so trivial and far away.
"What's your plan, after all of this? Once you get Shaun back?" MacCready asked, glancing at her. They'd talked about it before, but now...he wondered if it had changed; did she want to stay in the commonwealth? Maybe she wanted to see the rest of the world...not that it was much better.
"I don't know. I mean I don't think Red Rockets big enough, looking at it now," She let out an aggravated sigh, "I don't know anymore. Are you going back to DC?" She asked. MacCready felt his throat get tight.
"I...I mean I don't know either," he laughed, "There's nothing there for me, but here," He glanced over at her, seeing her eyes on him, "There's something." he said that softly, their eyes locked.
"The caps?" She asked, a smile pulling on her face. MacCready laughed.
"That's it." He put the whiskey bottle down, it was empty now.
"I mean...how serious is this?" Anne asked and MacCready wasn't sure what to say.
"I mean...with you at my side, I feel like I can take on the world," He hadn't meant for that to come out how it did, he glanced back at her, "There's no bond stronger than that."
Anne stood up from the couch walking over and sitting on his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, "Even if I almost get you killed?" She asked her face now burrowing in his neck; the breath was hot.
"Even if you almost get me killed." He chuckled, his arms going around her waist. She kissed his jaw, and he moved his face down to her. He captured her lips and they kissed. It was a short one and she pulled away looking up at him, her eyes searching his.
"Where you go, I'll follow." she murmured MacCready smiled kissing her forehead.
"Well I think I might bring Duncan here, once he's better," he said softly, running his hand down her back. They sat there in comfortable, drunken silence for a bit before hearing her nose start to whistle. He closed his eyes, starting to feel himself fall asleep.