The turret exploded after MacCready shot it. The noise attracted some ghouls that had been hiding in a nearby ruined bus. The ghouls rushed out and leapt at Lillian and MacCready, but a hidden mine exploded, killing them.

"The welcoming committee has changed since I was last here," Lillian said as they passed the large 'National Guard Training Yard' sign.

"So this is where you learned to shoot a gun?"

"Yeah. We had weapons training here. This is where I met Nate."

"Rousseau, pay attention," Corporal Dickinson snapped, "I know you don't want to be here, but if you want that college degree, you must do this."

"Fine," she groaned inwardly.

"What was that?"

"Yes, sir," she exaggerated a salute. She knew she was being childish, but she couldn't help it.

"If you do not start cooperating, you will be removed from not only the base, but also your college. Is that what you want?"

"No, sir."

"Good, I'm glad we understand each other. Now step up and take the pistol."

Lillian put her ear protectors on and stepped into the firing lane. She picked up the pistol and turned it over in her hands. She turned to the Sergeant. "Hey, is this thing loaded?"

Her question was answered as she inadvertently pulled the trigger and a shot rang out.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" a soldier passing by fell to the ground. Lillian ran over quickly to him, ignoring Corporal Dickinson's yelling.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" She knelt by the soldier who had his hand on his rear.

"The hell is wrong with you?" he yelled at her.

"I said I'm sorry! I wasn't aiming for you," she yelled back.

The soldier stood, wincing as he turned to try to look at his bleeding backside. "Good thing you dummies use rubber bullets." He paused when he finally looked at her.

"Are you okay?" she asked, trying to get a look at the damage she had caused.

"Sergeant Parker, I apologise for the lack of discipline on our trainee's part," Corporal Dickinson joined them, glaring at Lillian.

"Thank you, Corporal, she can make up for it by escorting me to medical."

Corporal Dickinson narrowed his eyes at Sergeant Parker. "Is that... wise?"

"With all due respect, SIR, but I'd better stay here and complete training," Lillian said. She was in no mood for this silly nonsense.

"I'm bleeding and I might die, what if my last wish was to have a pretty girl by my side?" Sergeant Parker grinned at her with a wink.

Lillian slapped him hard across the face. "You're not going to die, you dick." She turned and stalked back to the firing range, but not before she heard Sergeant Parker speak again.

"Damn, she one of the college recruits?"

"Yep."

"What's she studying?"

"Law, I think."

"Aw, shit."

"Better apologise to her, Nate. After you go see the medic."

"Wait, you shot your husband?" MacCready said incredulously.

"He wasn't my husband then."

"You shot him in the butt!"

"By accident!"

"Then slapped him in the face!"

"He was coming on to me. It was uncalled for!"

"And somehow you managed to marry him."

"Well, turned out he wasn't that much of a dick. Quite nice, actually. Asshole." Lillian smiled to herself.

"Yeah, I can't imagine you being with anyone who is a jerk," MacCready said with a slight sigh.

"Oh, I've had my fair share of those," Lillian reached for the doorknob to enter the building, but stopped. "I guess we shouldn't just waltz in, huh?"

"I mean, you could, but only if you want to be a feral ghoul's lunch."

They crouched down and Lillian slowly opened the door as MacCready aimed inside. It was dark and quiet. They crept inside, taking care over the rotten wood debris. The floor creaked beneath their feet as they made their way through the front foyer. He stopped and pointed up at the second floor, visible through the broken ceiling. A ghoul was lying on the floor, but Lillian was unsure if it was alive or dead.

MacCready picked up a small piece of broken wood and threw it near the ghoul. The sound woke up the ghoul who stood and looked for the source of the sound. A moment later, there was a crack and it fell dead after MacCready shot it.

The sound roused other ghouls in the building and the patter of footsteps filled the silence. Lillian and MacCready waited until they had a better idea of where the ghouls were before shooting them.

"Ugh, it's so gross," Lillian felt her stomach lurch.

"Yeah, you'll get used to it."

"I'm trying, but my stomach doesn't agree." She rubbed her belly to try to calm it down.

"Hey, in here," MacCready called from an office at the back of the building. Lillian joined him to see a few ghoul corpses and the decomposed body of someone in a Brotherhood of Steel uniform. "Looks like the ferals cornered her in here. Didn't stand a chance."

She knelt down by the body to turn off the distress pulser and noticed a holotape beside it. She wiped it off on her pants then played it in her Pipboy.

"Knight Tara Astlin. Brotherhood of Steel Recon Team 429-Alpha. Serial number 3431. It's been three hours since I set my distress pulser. There's been no word from the Paladin or Faris. Their objective was a satellite array on the coast. They may be out of range. My orders were to hold this position at all costs. The entire site has been overrun. The door won't last much longer. Paladin Brandis, sir. It's been an honor, sir."

"Damn, that's-" Lillian stopped when she noticed MacCready wasn't with her. She found him waiting in the foyer. "Hey, what's- oh. That reminded you of your wife, didn't it?"

He nodded slowly. "Sorry, it's not like me."

"It's fine, if you need to take a moment."

"Nah, I'm good," he cleared his throat, "So any clues to where the others are?"

"Satellite array. Down the road a bit, you can see it there, but I'll worry about that later. Right now, we need to get you back to Goodneighbor."

Paladin Danse couldn't sit still. They had received word from the Citadel that the Prydwen would be leaving within the next couple of days. He was anxious for them to arrive. He had sent in his report about Lillian, which had been received well. Elder Maxson himself said he looked forward to meeting Danse's new recruit.

Danse just hoped that Lillian wouldn't talk back. He had spoken highly of her in his report, but he conveniently left out the parts where she was borderline insubordinate. He also left out the part that she only joined the Brotherhood to have a better chance to find her missing son. Even though she never explicitly said as much, it was clear that that was her priority. He hoped that when she found her son, she would stay with the Brotherhood. He- they would keep her and her son safe.

But something bothered him. He overheard Knight Rhys telling Haylen that Lillian could be lying to them. It was near impossible for someone to be alive from before the war, unless they had turned ghoul, which she certainly wasn't. Sure she had mentioned the cryogenic pods, but what were the chances they would have been in working condition all this time? Lillian had mentioned there had been a mutiny within the vault within the first few years.

He had to be sure. But he couldn't go to the vault himself to check the records, nor could he send Haylen or Rhys. That would be irresponsible. He didn't want to doubt her. How could he even ask her for the truth?

He paused by the lockup for probably the sixth time that day, hoping that Lillian would be there. But of course, she wasn't.

"Seems Initiate Parker was quite familiar with jail cells," Haylen joined him.

"Hm?"

"Have a look," she led Danse to her terminal. "I've been perusing the records I was able to get from the Boston Bugle building, and looks like she's been arrested before."

"Are you sure?" Danse frowned. Surely Haylen was mistaken. "What makes you sure it's Lil- erm, Parker?"

"Well. Pissed off ballet dancer turned law student, angry at the military and the government for taking over the theatre." She opened a file on the terminal. It was the front page of the Boston Bugle with the headline, "BOSTON BALLERINA ARRESTED FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE" accompanied by a picture. And there was Lillian, looking angry and shouting as two police officers were holding her hands behind her back.

"'Former dancer with the Boston Ballet, Lillian Rousseau, was arrested following an anti-war rally outside Fenway Park'," Danse read the picture's caption aloud.

"Yep." Haylen smirked. "I think I like her more now. Wouldn't think she was that strong, but apparently it took four officers to drag her to the paddy wagon after they handcuffed her."

"Well, let's hope she doesn't do anything rash when the Prydwen arrives," Danse said, trying not to sound impressed.

"Probably not, but if she does-"

"It'll be that merc's fault," he interrupted bitterly, "She's probably learned some bad habits from him."

"I don't know, he wasn't even around when she first got arrested. And neither were we. Heck, the Brotherhood wasn't even thought of."

"I suppose you're right." It was strange to think that Lillian knew a life where there was no Brotherhood of Steel, no radiated wasteland, no wayward mercenaries to lead her astray. He hoped she'd return soon, just so he knew she was okay. But now he felt better, knowing she hadn't been lying about being from before the war.

"Oh my god, you actually got it!" Daisy's eyes gleamed with happiness when MacCready told her about how they got the cure for Duncan.

"We sure did," he smiled over at Lillian, "Now I need to get it to Duncan."

"Of course, the next caravan heading that way is due in a couple of days. The driver's a good one, he'll make sure the cure gets to your son."

"Wait, you're not going to go?" Lillian frowned at MacCready.

"Well-"

"No, no, no. You are going to bring that cure to your son yourself," she demanded.

"But-"

"Not another word. Your son needs that cure, but he also needs his daddy."

"What about you?"

"I'll be fine," Lillian tried to sound sure.

"Well, if you think that's best."

"I have to agree with her," said Daisy, "Duncan needs you."

"Yeah, you're right. Both of you." He paused. "Does the caravan go by Diamond City?"

"Sure does," said Daisy, "Stops there after Goodneighbor."

"Good, can you tell the driver to meet us there?"

"What, Goodneighbor not good enough for you?" Daisy joked.

"No! It's not that, it's just that I arranged for... something in Diamond City. Kind of a surprise." He nodded slightly to Lillian.

"Ahh, I see," Daisy winked at him, then turned to Lillian. "Hope you take care of MacCready, he's one of the good ones."

"Debatable, considering this 'surprise' isn't a time machine," Lillian laughed.

"Still trying to get used to all this, huh?" Daisy asked.

"Yeah," Lillian sighed.

"Well, if you need to chat about the old days, I'd be up for it."

"Don't suppose you ever went to the ballet, did you?"

"The ballet? Me? Nah, not my scene. I remember there was a free performance at the Amphitheatre, but I was too busy getting into trouble to go."

"Oh. Shame."

"Yeah, Dais, you could've seen her dance," said MacCready.

"No kidding! Well, I'm sorry I missed it."

"I won't hold it against you," Lillian said with a sad smile. She realised she may never have a chance to perform again. She knew that it was unlikely, but now it seemed more real. She wondered if the old Opera House was even still standing.

"Well, let's get going," MacCready pulled at Lillian's sleeve. They said goodbye to Daisy and started for Diamond City.

Apart from some distant gunfire, the walk was quiet. When they finally reached the gate, Lillian turned to MacCready.

"So, why did you insinuate to Daisy that we were together?"

"I did?"

"Yeah. When you told her to have the caravan meet you here because you had a surprise lined up, then nodded towards me."

"Oh. I didn't realise I did that. Sorry," MacCready blushed, "I was just wanting to get here to thank you for everything."

"So what is this surprise then?"

"Let's see if it's ready," MacCready grinned and led the way through the gate. They had no sooner reached the bottom of the stairs to the field when a figure clad in red rushed up to them.

"So there you are!"

"Oh! Uh, Piper, right?" Lillian asked.

"Right you are! Been wondering where you've been, Blue," Piper grinned, "You still owe me an interview."

"Wait, 'Blue'?" Lillian looked confused.

"Well, yeah. Clearly from a vault," Piper gestured at her, "You may not be wearing the jumpsuit, but that fish out of water look? Dead giveaway. Besides, I bet a lot of people call you Red anyway." She pointed at Lillian's hair.

"Heh, yeah," Lillian's hand went up to her head.

"We got somewhere else to be right now, but meet us at the Dugout after," MacCready interrupted.

"See you there!" Piper hurried into her house.

"Alright, let's go see Arturo. Hopefully he got my message." MacCready said nervously.

Arturo greeted them warmly when they approached. "Good to see you again! Those guns been keeping you alive then, huh?"

"He's done a lot too," Lillian smiled over at MacCready.

"Yes, and I did get your message. Just a minute." Arturo went into his home and returned a moment later with a homemade bow and a bundle of arrows. "Luckily there was a section on these in a couple of weapons books I have. So, here, try it out." He handed them to Lillian.

"Wait, you had him make this? For me?" Lillian took the bow and looked it over. MacCready nodded.

"Well you said you preferred this, didn't you? And I figure it would be a lot quieter."

"I... I don't know what to say," she held it up and pulled on the string, "Tension could be tighter."

"I'll adjust it, then you can take it out back to try it out," Arturo took the bow from Lillian and started making adjustments, "Abbott set up a target by the wall so you can see how it works. I tried it myself, just can't get used to it." he chuckled. "There, better?" He handed the bow back to Lillian who gave it a few pulls the nodded. "Good. I only have these arrows made, but I wrote down instructions so you can make more yourself. Won't be too difficult, you can get just about everything to make them here."

"Thanks," Lillian said, still not believing what was just happening. "Oh, did that letter I dropped off for you make it to its destination?"

"Hm? Oh! Yes. Thank you for doing that. It was very important." Arturo turned away, indicating he didn't want to say any more about it.

"So let's go try this out," MacCready said, "I want to see it in action."

They headed to the back of the field where an older man in overalls was painting the wall green. He waved slightly with his paint brush towards a small firing range. Plywood cutouts of mobsters were riddled with bullet holes, along with circular targets. Lillian picked a spot in front of one of the targets and took an arrow out from the homemade quiver. She aimed, then turned to MacCready.

"I haven't done this in a while, in case you're expecting to be impressed or something."

"Over two hundred years, isn't it?"

"Ha ha." She turned back to the target, pulled the string back and fired the arrow toward the circular target. It embedded itself into the ground five feet in front of the target. "Dammit."

"Hey, relax," MacCready said, "It's kind of like firing a gun, right?"

"Exactly like firing a gun, except not," Lillian said with a smile as she took out another arrow. She aimed again and this time hit the target on the outer circle. She continued shooting until she ran out of arrows, each one hitting the target closer to the bullseye.

"Nice," MacCready said as he accompanied her to retrieve the arrows from the target, "Guess we'll have to get more arrows made."

"Yeah, I'll do it later."

"Why not now?"

"I told Piper I'd meet her at the Dugout, remember?"

"Oh yeah. Let's go then."

"Blue! Over here!" Piper waved at Lillian and MacCready when they walked into the Dugout Inn.

"I have a name, you know," Lillian said as she sat down.

"And I'm sure it's a lovely name," Piper wiped some crumbs off the notepad on the table. "So it's Lillian, isn't it?"

"Yeah, how did you know?"

"I have my ways of finding out things. It's my job," Piper said slyly. "So I want an interview. And once my photo guy gets here, some pictures too."

"I guess so."

"Cool, so I know you're from a vault, what was it like?"

"Cold. They put us in these cryogenic pods. I only recently thawed out."

"Wait, are you saying you were alive from before the war?" Piper's eyes widened.

"Behold, I am over 200 years old."

"Oh my god." Piper looked like Christmas had come early. "'The Woman Out of Time'. Perfect! So how does the Commonwealth compare to what you knew before?"

"Seriously? It's terrible out here. All the death and destruction, giant goddamn bugs," Lillian sighed, "But I also see people rebuilding, and just keep on going. It gives me hope."

"I know you're looking for your baby boy. Any idea of where he might be?"

"I don't know, that's why I need to talk to the detective."

"Yeah, Nicky Valentine. Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in a while. Do you think the Institute was involved?"

"With the detective?"

"No, with taking your baby."

"I don't know. Maybe. Maybe not."

"That's the scary thing. Someone goes missing, and you just don't know what happened. Maybe they left on their own accord, or maybe they were taken during the night. Obviously your baby didn't leave on his own."

"I saw him being taken in the vault. My husband was- he tried to stop-" Lillian stopped.

"Oh, Blue, I'm so sorry," Piper stopped writing and reached across the table to take Lillian's hand. "Well, if anyone can solve this mystery, it'll be ol' Nick." She held Lillian's hand for a moment longer, then quickly let go, clearing her throat. "Ahem, anyway. Just one more question. Do you have anything to say to others in the Commonwealth that have lost someone and are too afraid to look for them?"

"Um, I guess, don't lose hope," Lillian sniffled a little, "If you don't try, then you may not get closure."

"That works," Piper scribbled in her notepad then closed it. "So, I'll tell you what, I'll come with you to see Nick and maybe watch your back out there."

"Just what she needs, a whole crowd of people following her around," MacCready rolled his eyes.

"Actually, it is what I need since you'll be leaving soon," Lillian poked him in the shoulder.

"Oh? What's more important than helping her find her baby?" Piper narrowed her eyes at MacCready.

"It's personal." MacCready glared at her. Piper looked over at Lillian.

"It is personal, and he has a very good reason," Lillian said.

"Well, if you say so. Ah! Jimmy! About time!" Piper waved at a middle-aged black man who had just entered carrying a large camera bag.

"I was busy, Piper," Jimmy sat down next to her.

"Uh huh, so this is Lillian," she gestured grandly.

"Charmed," Jimmy said, not looking at Lillian and digging into his bag.

"Um, I don't think I want my picture taken right now, to be honest," Lillian said.

"Well, christ, why the hell am I here then?" Jimmy exasperated.

"Oh, don't be such a woman," Piper scoffed, "You could do with meeting new people anyway, always locked up in your house with the lights off like some creepy hermit."

"I'm busy developing," Jimmy said.

"What sort of pictures do you take?" Lillian asked.

"Whatever Piper wants for her paper, but I also try to get landscapes. Nature. That sort of thing." He took out a large envelope and handed it to Lillian. Inside were a number of photos, some black and white, others in colour, of a variety of subjects. There were portraits of Diamond City residents going about their business, pictures of dilapidated buildings throughout Boston, and some of the irradiated wildlife.

"Hold on, there are deer with two heads out here?" Lillian held up one of the pictures.

Jimmy frowned. "Where the hell did you find this one, Piper?"

"She was frozen in a vault for two hundred years!" Piper said dramatically.

"Bullshit." Jimmy said after a brief pause.

"It's true," Lillian sighed.

"But... how?"

"Dude, I just told you!" Piper poked him.

"Huh. So what was it like before everything went to shit?"

"Cleaner. I could walk down the street without worrying about getting my head blown off. Flies were the size of your thumbnail."

"Must've been nice."

"It was."

"Ahem, so anyway," Piper interrupted, "Where ya stayin'?"

"Um, I guess we'd just get a room here," Lillian looked over at MacCready who shrugged.

"Oh no. No, no, no. You can stay with me," Piper insisted.

"Him too?" Lillian pointed at MacCready.

"Yeah, why not? It's just me and my sister. And a broken printing press. And a working printing press. And about fifty rolls of paper. Twenty cans of ink. But lots of room!"

"Sounds good," Lillian smiled.

"If you're sticking around, you should see about buying that place in the middle of the market," said Jimmy, "Been empty for a little while."

"I don't know, I've been saving for the detective."

Jimmy looked at Piper expectantly. "I'll explain later," she said before turning back to Lillian, "We'll look into it tomorrow after we go see Nick. Come on, Blue. Big day tomorrow!"