I was being dragged across the square by two Disciples. My feet made trails in the dirt, kicking up dust. My head hung as the screaming from the conglomerate of gang members got louder as we approached the square. All I could hear was taunting as I made my way down the path to my demise. Nisha had constructed a makeshift stage and guillotine that consisted of an old chair with a bucket underneath, which I had gathered was for my head.

My body was dead weight as they lifted me onto the seat. My hair hung from my face as I stared at the old rusted bucket beneath me. This was it. I had finally found myself in a situation that I couldn't get out of – that I didn't want to get out of. I had no reason to push forward. Nuka-World was going to be my final resting place. It seemed this had always been my fate. I had lost the trust and respect of the only man I truly loved, besides Nate. My son would soon become a distant memory and I had no reason to live. I was at peace with the destiny that laid before me.

With raised hands, Nisha signaled the crowd to quiet down as she started her speech. When the screaming ceased she spoke. Her deep, brash voice bounced off the walls of the buildings making a natural microphone. "Here we have our fearless leader." She gestured to me as she paced the stage. "A 'lone wanderer' who defeated every obstacle we put in her path, coming out victorious on the other side." I heard boos rumble from the crowd. "And we crowned her Overboss, thanks to the recommendation of our trusted second in command, Gage, who is too embarrassed to even show his face." More boo hisses erupted ''Because…" a pause for dramatic effect "she had us all fooled, including the wise old Gage"

I had scanned the crowd for Porter as she continued but the only thing I could see was scowling eyes. I dropped my head again. He wasn't coming to save me and why should he? I wasn't a genuine person. I wasn't open with him. I pretended I was something I wasn't and hid my past when he was nothing but honest with me. I deserve this. I know I do.

"…she comes from another time!" she held up my vault suit and the other keep-sakes she had discovered. A gasp with murmurs came from the crowd. She threw them into the mass of people as the raiders wrestled to view the evidence. "The savior of the CommonWealth, The leader of the Minutemen. A soldier for that god-forsaken Brotherhood of Steel. She is a sham, a phony and conniving piece of shit." The bashing and berating continued as I sat there taking it all. The spit, the trash, the debris being thrown at me. Everything.

"Are you ready?" Nisha took out her freshly sharpened sword that shone in the light of the irritating sun. Another thrilled reaction from the gaggle of Raiders. Nisha gave a toothy grin, completely satisfied with herself. She knelt beside me "It was a good run. I honestly really liked you. You had more balls than the last few Overbosses, but it's the Disciples time to shine." She gave an evil laugh "we'll take good care of the place" she stood up and spoke as she turned back to the crowd. "Any last words from the good people of Nuka World before we let our impeached leaders' head roll?"

Suddenly, a masked townsman stepped forward. I stared at them for a moment before they lifted their mask. It was Piper "My gang would like to speak up" I was in complete shock and embarrassment as I gawked at her, mouth wide open.

Nisha's face contorted into confusion "who the fucks gang do you belong to?"

Piper smiled "we are new in town…" she gestured to the audience and in scattered movements, almost half the crowd uncovered their faces from masks and hoods. I gasped as the faces of settlers, Dance, McCready, Dogmeat, and more of my friends I met in my travels were revealed.

Then Piper turned her head to me "Come on, did you think we weren't going to come looking for you?" She laughed and without another word she whipped out her pistol and shot at Nisha. She ducked and rolled off the stage as a huge battle exploded.

Piper lunged for me, keeping her head down as she broke my shackles.

"How did you sneak in?" I yelled over the gunfire.

"We will get to the specifics later. Right now we have to get you off this stage." I nodded in affirmation as we both leaped from the platform.

"Let's go!" She tossed me a gun. We started shooting as we made our way toward the front gates. The rest of the team came in guns blazing as they called us.

"Good to see you again, Soldier" Dance was running alongside us in his power armor. He was smiling from ear-to-ear which I had never seen before.

On the other side of me McCready came racing up "Hello beautiful" he winked at me.

Lastly, Dogmeat barrelled forward with a cheerful bark!

Piper took a few more shots taking down some Raiders from the tops of buildings "yes, yes we are all happy to see ol' Blue again but we have to focus, people! Where do we go from here? The gates are blocked!" She gestured to me.

"We can't leave this place like this. All of the settlers would be risking their lives for nothing." I thought for a moment. There was too much at stake. This place could really be something. And those people that were slaves in the market, they needed to be saved, but how?

Piper looked at me and the others distraught "Blue… I know you did a lot in this place, but I don't know how you expect us to take it back."

"I know someone who can help us, but it will take some convincing. Follow me." I wasn't sure where Gage was but I had an idea.

We made it to the arcade and my companions looked at me dumbfounded "Ah, Beautiful… I love games as much as the next guy but not sure this is the time…" McCready was lost.

"I think the Raider we need might be in here...I'm not sure but can you guys give me a minute?" they agreed and stepped back from the door.

"I'll stay watch for Blue, why don't you guys see if you can help out the others?" Piper devised a plan.

I chimed in "Actually there is one thing you can do! Help free the slaves in the market at the center of town, arm them and see if they will be willing to help!"

Perfect, plan Soldier, let's move out" Dance, McCready and the others left us as Piper and Dogmeat stood to the side of the building keeping watch.

I hesitated before walking into the building. I was nervous but I needed to do this, not just to avoid losing the love of my life but for the people of the Commonwealth, my friends. The ones that were sacrificing their lives to bring me home. I saw them fighting with their hearts; Hancock, Nick, Strong. They were all fighting my battles, the ones I couldn't do myself. I felt like a coward, running away from everyone I cared about because I didn't know who I was. But I knew now. I was made from those people out there fighting for peace and stability in this messed up world. I...was a good guy. There was no changing that.

It was dark and empty with just the lights from the machines glowing. I crept further inside until I saw the shadow of a body sitting on the shooting game. It was him. I felt a flutter in my stomach thinking about how he came back to the place where we shared our first laughs together. Where I gained his first ounce of trust. The smile slowly fell from my cheeks as I thought about how that trust was ripped away from him so quickly and without warning. In my back pocket, I felt for the spiked paddle that I chose with my tickets. I took a deep breath as I stepped forward. Maybe...just maybe there was still that ounce of trust left. I gently touched his shoulder "Porter…"

He didn't move as his head hung from his neck. He was holding one of the targets in his hand "only my friends call me Porter." He finally turned and the hurt in his eye sent a twitch in my stomach.

"Gage, please. You have to listen to me–"

"No, you listen" He stepped forward. "I loved you. I let my guard down for you, I told you everything and you just sat there taking it all in and never telling me anything."

"Gage, please, I loved and still love you too! I've never loved anyone the way I love you," I moved closer to him "you told me you never wanted to be like your parents but look…" I brought him to the window. "Look at those people fighting for their lives." he looked away squeezing his eyes shut "we have more people out there wanting to bring back world order. You don't have to be afraid–"

He interrupted me as he pulled away "there will always be someone out there stronger, more powerful, more ruthless…" we made eye contact "and I just can't take that chance."

There was silence and then I walked closer to him. I touched his cheek and felt the heat between us rise. I wanted him, I wanted to be near him and have him by my side, so badly. I was being selfish, after breaking his heart. "will you take that chance for me?"

He slowly looked back at me and we were connected by a deeper force "I did, and you betrayed me." I felt a stabbing pain in my chest as I physically let out a sigh of despair.

"Gage." I tried to stop the tears that were forming in my eyes "please, forgive me. I can't do this life without you. I want to tell you everything, show you every part of me, share every memory that makes me tremble with pain and the good ones that make my heart feel light again, but I can only do that with you by my side. I can only imagine the betrayal you feel but I need you. I can't leave this place knowing that you'd still be in this apocalyptic world, wandering hopeless...like me. My heart can't take that. Please..." my voice was so low the words came out as a whisper "please….no more secrets or lies. I promise."

There was a long pause. I heard the battle outside get louder, I didn't have much time. I looked away wiping the tears from my cheeks. "I'm sorry, I understand. I wouldn't forgive me either. I'll never forgive myself."

I started to walk away and then without words, he pulled me close by the nape of my neck as we rested our foreheads together. Our mouths were inches from each other as we shared the same breath. "I don't want to live this life without you either," he said in whispers back.

I kissed him with everything I had because I wanted, no, needed him to be with me to turn this world around.

Suddenly, the door opened "uh… I hate to break up the moment but we need to go." Piper stood there, her arms crossed.

"You're running?" Gage pulled away and looked at me "what about your idea to turn this place back into a park."

I hesitated as Piper chimed in "Well we were hoping you could be of some help to us. We'd like to but I'm not sure we have the manpower to take this place back from those bastard Raiders" she laughed awkwardly "no offense…"

"None taken because I'm not a Raider anymore...I'm one of the good guys." he smiled at me and I felt my body ignite with a passion like no other. "I have a few secret weapons that not even the gangs know about." he approached Piper "get your team to the tops of the tallest buildings in Nuka Town USA. At the top, you'll find machine guns mounted in the peaks. There are 6 of them covering the whole perimeter, we can use those to open fire."

"You got it." She left to get the squad in order.

"Porter. Are you sure about this?"

He approached me and looked deep into my eyes. I watched swirls of copper in his gold irises and melted "I've never been more sure about anything before." He headed for the exit. "let's go."