Chapter 7

Hope & Resolve


I say I'll move the mountains,

and I'll move the mountains,

if he wants them out of the way.

Crazy he calls me,

sure I'm crazy,

crazy in love I say.

I say I'll go through fire,

and I'll go through fire…

The morning found her, laid on her old sofa. Eyes closed, one arm over her forehead and the other hanging over the side, absently running her fingers through Dogmeat's fur. The music drifting from her Pip-Boy on the kitchen table, lulling her, keeping her just on the edge of sleep. Images, old memories, flashed across her mind, punctuated by more recent, more violent ones. She analysed each one with an almost clinical regard. Her hands, caressing a familiar smiling face one moment and gently cradling the head of a crying infant the next, so helpless and beautiful. Those same hands, twisting wrists, those same fingers on the trigger and those fists, hitting flesh. Yet she felt strangely numb to it all, as she lay there, passively observing each fleeting image, like a silent movie playing in her mind.

Was she still in shock from the events in Concord the previous evening?

Her introduction to this new world had, after all, been a veritable baptism by fire, thrown into the deep end a few short days after stepping foot outside the vault.

She felt her canine companion stir before she heard the hollow knock on her door.

"Ma'am?", Preston's voice came from the open doorway.

She shifted her arm, opening an eye, squinting up at him from behind the sofa. The daylight hurting her eyes.

"Preston", she stated flatly, sighing deeply, from exhaustion rather than annoyance, before sitting up and swinging her legs off the sofa. Dogmeat answering the loss of contact with an annoyed half bark, sitting up and quirking his head at her.

"I'm sorry, I..I didn't mean to wake you…", Preston offered.

She wiped her face with her shirt sleeves and brushed the hair from her face, her back still to him.

"It's fine, I wasn't sleeping", she mumbled, gingerly prodding the bandage on her shoulder and buttoning her shirt, before she finally stood and turned to him.

"Come in, have a seat", she offered before stepping behind the kitchen counter.

"Uh, thanks", he replied awkwardly, tipping his hat and leaning his rifle just inside the doorway before settling into the sofa.

"Hey boy, keeping an eye on our friend?", he scratched Dogmeat behind the ears.

"He's been by my side since we got back" she smiled, emerging from the kitchen, two glasses in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.

"Um..could you?", she asked, nudging the coffee table a little closer to the sofa with her foot.

"I got it", he leaned over and pulled the table closer before they both settled side by side on the sofa.

"Excuse the mess…", she began as she poured the whiskey.

"…but we had a, minor, nuclear mishap a little while back", she explained with a straight face.

Preston chuckled, "That's alright, I've actually seen much worse", he took the glass she offered.

"Where did you manage to find a bottle of whiskey out here?", he winced, making a face after he took a swig.

She smiled at his reaction before taking a sip herself.

"A group of raiders, as you called them, attacked us two nights ago", she explained.

"Probably part of the same group that cornered you in Concord".

"Us?", Preston inquired.

"Codsworth and I", "We managed to scrape through it, somehow".

"Spoils of war…" she muttered cynically, staring down at her drink before taking another sip.

Preston cleared his throat after a moment of awkward silence, "So, how are you holding up?"

"Hm?", she looked over at him.

"You left us as soon as we crossed the bridge into Sanctuary last night, didn't say much on the journey here either, even when I asked if…".

"I was dead on my feet", she cut him off. " Had a lot on my mind, sorry if I ignored you, I didn't mean to".

"I'm sorry", I shouldn't have made you go out there…if I had known…", Preston began.

"You couldn't have, and it was my decision, I'm not bitter about it and I don't blame you for anything", she offered him a tired smile before taking another sip.

While her words did little to ease his guilt, it was at least a comfort to know she held no ill will towards him.

He took one final swig, before setting the empty glass on the coffee table. "Damn that's strong".

She chuckled and reached for the bottle, but he held up a hand, smiling politely "I'm good, thanks".

"How's the shoulder?", he tapped his left shoulder.

She leaned back, "It's, a little sore, should be fine in a few days", she assured him.

"And the leg?", he nodded to her thigh, the fabric of her jeans torn and lightly stained dark with blood.

"Ah, it wasn't as bad as it felt, just a scratch, it feels fine", she confirmed again, running a finger across the torn fabric. The flesh underneath, tender but seemingly undamaged thanks to the quick injection of stims from the Power Armor.

"That's good to hear", he paused for a moment, "Listen, if you need anyth…"

"Thanks", she smiled politely, taking another drink before standing, collecting his empty glass and making her way to the kitchen, lowering the Pipboy radio on the way.

"So, what about you, how's everyone doing?", she asked from behind the counter, over the clink of glass and dishware.

"Better, now that we're not being chased", "Got a few makeshift beds made and cleared out the house just across the street. It's a start", he took an audible breath. "It's gonna take a lot of work, but I think we can really make a go of it here".

She leaned over the counter on her elbows, "From what you've told me, I'd say it's about time you all caught a break".

Preston nodded thoughtfully, "It's been a long time coming, but yeah, I'd say our luck is starting to turn around".

"Oh I almost forgot, I also came to let you know that Sturges was able to get those underground pumps running, thanks to the FC we salvaged from the Power Armor".

"The water supply network?" she confirmed. "It's working? Are you sure?"

"See for yourself", Preston nodded to the kitchen faucet.

It took a little effort but she managed to twist it open, perhaps a little too far as she was met by a sudden burst of dirty brown water from the tap. The cold water on her shirt and the growl that initially came from the pipes causing her to jump back in shock, thankfully she managed to mostly supress the girlish squeal of surprise that escaped her lips.

"Are you alright?", Preston was on his feet in concern.

"I'm fine, I got it", she waved him off before adjusting the faucet, her face warm with embarrassment.

"Just let it run for a while. Sorry I should have warned you about that", Preston reluctantly returned to his seat, his concern still evident on his face.

A piece of paper beneath the dried leaves and broken tiles under his feet caught his attention as he settled on the sofa.

"I have to say though, I was surprised to see all that equipment down there, and all those tunnels under the town", Preston explained, fishing the piece of paper out from under the debris and wiping it off with his gloved fingers. It was an old pre-war picture.

"Sanctuary was meant to be a self sustained community" she explained with her back to him as she wiped herself off with a dirty hand towel.

"Water drawn from the lake, treated and distributed locally…"

Preston gently swiped his thumb across the dirty picture, it was faded but he could make out most of the details.

"…power generators and a secondary grid that…", her voice seemed distant as he studied the picture.

It was a park, with children playing in the background, cars parked on the edges of a grassy field.

"…was actually the first step in a government initiative that never made it…".

A smiling couple in the foreground.

A handsome man, well built, rugged features. The woman in his arms, the kind of flawless beauty Preston had only ever seen in posters and magazines from the old world.

At least until a day ago.

He looked up at the woman behind the kitchen counter just as she finished drying herself off. His eyes shifting back and forth between the picture and the woman in front of him.

"Is something wrong?", she asked, confused.

"This…", Preston began as he stood and approached her.

"This is you...isn't it?", he pointed to the woman in the picture.

Her expression told him he was right.

"Wh…where did you get this?", she asked, taking the picture from him, running a finger across the faded image.

"How is that possible? That picture had to have been taken before the war", his brow furrowed in confusion.

"I mean I thought it was strange when we met in Concord, your clothes, the way you look, not knowing about Quincy, about ghouls…", "Being from a vault could probably have explained that….but this…"

"I wasn't lying about the vault", she absently discarded the towel on the counter and walked past him to lean against the broken stove, her eyes never leaving the picture in her hand.

"But..", Preston pushed.

"The day the bombs fell… we were ushered into a vault, not far from here…We barely made it inside, before the shockwave hit us…"

"You actually saw the bombs drop?" Preston interrupted, leaning against the counter.

She nodded, "It was surreal, even now, all of this…"

"Anyway", she continued. "…It was supposed to be a new life for us, the few that made it inside. At least that's what we were told. They lied…we were cryogenically frozen. I mean I can guess why they did it, food and resources being what they were and I doubt everyone would have willingly agreed to it".

"But they did lie", she scoffed. "It was all an act, the minute we stepped into that vault", "I was still in shock, everything happened so fast, but I should have seen through it", her eyes had taken on that far off look that Preston had worn all too often these past few weeks.

A look of regret, the question of "What if?" echoing in her mind. Yes he was all too familiar with that feeling.

"My husband, Nate and my baby…Shaun…", "They were frozen in the pod across from me. By the time I realized something wasn't right, it was too late".

She took one last look at the picture before pocketing it and folding her arms, her head lowered.

"You said your boy was kidnapped…", he probed, his question dying in his throat when she lifted her head, unshed tears in her eyes.

"I'm sorry you don't have to…"

She forced a smile and shook her head, dismissing his concern. "I woke up…I don't know how long after", "I could barely move…there was a man, bald, a scar across his left eye, black leather jacket…", she risked a glance at Preston.

"I'm sorry…can't say I've seen anyone like that", he responded to her silent question.

"There was a woman in a hazmat suit with him", she continued. "They opened Nate's pod, tried to take Shaun, but he wouldn't let them. He could barely move, neither could I, I felt so weak…cold"

"The man with the scar, he pulled out a gun…", she shook her head willing the memory away. "They took Shaun, and put me back under. I woke up again a few days ago, everyone in the vault was long dead…I don't know how long it's been since Shaun was taken. All of this…it feels like just a few days ago I was there on the couch with Nate, everything was perfect…it all made sense…"

She took a deep breath, pushing off the stove and composing herself.

"Damn, that's…", Preston wasn't sure what to say after that.

She forced a smile, "Don't believe me?"

"No..no it's not that, I mean, if it was anyone else…", "But with everything you've told me…the picture, I don't see how I can doubt you. Still it's, not what I expected".

"Yeah", she agreed, suddenly feeling very awkward standing there.

The water from the faucet sputtered, flowing a little clearer, she noticed. She turned and ran a hand through the stream taking a tentative sip.

"There are a few leaks around town and the street is flooded in some places, but we've almost got it under control now." Preston explained, glad for the distraction.

"Great", she turned and flashed him a polite smile, wiping her hands on her jeans.

"I'm…I'm gonna run the shower for a while. I'll come find you later"

He took the hint and offered his hand, "Of course, like I said, if you need anything…"

"Thanks", she nodded and shook his hand. "I'll see you in a bit".

She walked him to the door and closed it behind him, not that it mattered with all the blown out windows around the house and the broken back door. Old habits.

She leaned back against the door for a few moments, eyes closed, before Dogmeat's whimpering caught her attention.

He sat in front of her with what she could only describe as a concerned look. She flashed him a smile, kneeling down scratching him behind both ears and running her fingers through his fur.

"I'm alright boy","Why don't you stay here and keep an eye out, I'll be back", he answered her with a lick on the cheek.

She turned up the radio before she left the living room and turned on the shower as she passed by on the way to her room.

Ragged sheets hung carelessly over the blown out windows of her room. A little privacy from Sanctuary's newest residents.

There, down in the storeroom she fished out the picture in her pocket.

She ran her thumb across his face, burning the image into her mind one last time before she placed it into the small box with the holotape titled 'Hi honey'.


The hot water ran down her face, massaging her aching shoulder. She brushed her fingers over the still tender flesh, triggering a flash of teeth and claws and quickly shut her eyes, quelling the memory.

After almost a week, the steaming water felt absolutely heavenly on her skin. It also made her realize just how exhausted she was. She leaned forward against the wall, resting her forehead on her arms and letting the water work its magic on her neck and back.

If she tried hard enough, she could almost pretend she didn't feel the sandy roughness of the dirty shower tiles under her feet, or smell the faint scent of rust in the steamy water running down her flushed cheeks.

If she closed her eyes, she could be back in her world, if just for a moment, a lazy Saturday morning.

A warm, hard body pressed against her back, a calloused palm brushing over her hips, a powerful arm around her waist. The water running down her chest, replaced by the gentle touch of his fingers between her breasts, snaking their way down her stomach… Warm kisses on her neck.

If she could stay here, a little longer.

Pretend…

She slowly opened her eyes, her illusionary world melting away in a steamy haze as she caught her breath.

Broken, dirty tiles beneath her feet, water dancing between her toes.

Why did she torture herself like this?

She sighed and straightened herself, brushing back the wet hair from her face.

It was the start of another day, in this world that wasn't hers anymore.


"I dunno boss, I'd give it a week, tops", Sturges looked up at Preston from a small trench just off the sidewalk.

"I mean it was already pretty low, but that power armor really took a lot out of it", he explained, a grimace on his face as he tightened the last valve.

He stood surveying his work. With any luck that should fix their little flooding problem.

"Where would we get another one out here", Preston thought out loud to himself, scratching his cheek.

The squelching of Sturges boots in the muddy earth catching his attention. He grabbed the mechanic's extended arm and helped him out of the trench.

"Wooo!", Sturges exclaimed, stretching his legs.

"The leg ok?".

"Oh yeah", Sturges grinned, "Just getting old is all".

Preston laughed, patting him on the shoulder, "We're all getting old".

"Heh, about the FC, that's a damn good question", Sturges thought for a moment.

"What about our new ladyfriend?", Sturges offered.

"What about her?"

"Well, she's from a vault that's supposed to be close by, right?", he explained, squinting in the morning sun.

"I'm thinking they have to have at least one FC lyin around they can spare, maybe we can trade…".

"Maybe…", Preston interrupted looking a little apprehensive.

"Somethin wrong?", Sturges asked.

"Hm?", "No…no I'll ask her", Preston assured him.

"How is she doin by the way?, Sturges asked, lowering his voice. "I mean after goin toe to toe with a Deathclaw…"

"She's a strong woman", Preston interrupted. "But, this is all new to her, I can't imagine what must be going through her head. When we talked earlier, she told me a little more about herself".

"What did she say?", Sturges pressed.

Preston shook his head, "I don't think its my place to say, but she seems to be taking all of this better than I would think".

"Fair enough", Sturges replied. "Speak of the devil", he nodded over Preston's shoulder, to the woman in question making her way towards them.

She ran her fingers through damp hair as she crossed the street, enjoying the warm morning sunlight and the gentle wind on her face. Her presence didn't go unnoticed by the Longs or the old woman, and she nodded politely as she passed them.

She made her way further up the street towards Preston and the mechanic, Dogmeat darting past her, splashing the puddles on the sidewalk before disappearing behind the crumbling buildings.

"Miss Leona", Preston greeted with a smile and she returned it.

"Morning, uh…St…Sturges right?", she asked uncertainly.

"Yes ma'am, you're lookin a lot better this morning, I gotta say."

She smiled, "I just needed some sleep, and the shower didn't hurt, thanks for that."

"Nah, I didn't have to do much, everything was set up already, just needed a little power", Sturges grinned.

"Actually...about that", Preston interrupted.

"Hm?"

"Sturges here was just telling me that the FC we brought back won't last much longer."

"Oh.", she folded her arms.

"Any idea how long?", she asked, biting her thumb in thought.

"We got about a week I'd say, give or take", Sturges offered.

Preston cleared his throat, his brow furrowed, "We were thinking…"

"You want to check the vault." , she interrupted.

She locked eyes with Preston for the briefest moment, seeing the apologetic look on his face.

"It won't hurt to ask, I was thinkin they might be open to trading", Sturges explained. "I'm sure we can find something they'd be…"

"There's no one to trade with", she interrupted.

"Wh…I don't understand", Sturges looked baffled.

"They're dead, the vault's empty", she swallowed and ran a hand through her hair.

"Dead?", he looked back and forth between them.

"I'll go get the Pipboy", She ignored the question, turned on her heel and made for her house.

"Boss?", Sturges looked to Preston, confused.

"I'll go talk to her, wait here", Preston patted him on the shoulder before going after her.

She swiped the Pipboy from the kitchen counter, flicking off the radio, lost in thought.

Nate was still down there, and she wasn't sure how she felt letting strangers near him. Her eyes settled on the corridor leading to the bedrooms, hers and Nate's, and Shaun's.

It was something that she noticed ever since she first set foot in the house, after emerging from the vault. She had become very protective of this space.

It's true, they didn't live here that long, but she did have memories within these walls, and the thought of careless feet intruding, trampling over these fragile memories...it made her very uncomfortable, anxious even.

She felt similarly about the vault. Part of her was in there still. An exposed nerve that she didn't dare touch. A part of her that she needed to protect from this world nonetheless.

You're being irrational, stubborn even.

I know that!

She shut her eyes and took a deep breath, clearing her head.

"Miss Leona?", came Preston's voice from the doorway. "You alright?"

After a moment of silence he wasn't sure if she'd heard him, but she finally turned and approached, extending the Pipboy to him.

"Do you know how to use this?", she asked.

"Uh…y, yeah I think so", he studied her face, but she betrayed no emotion.

"There's a trail behind the house, follow it up the hill and you'll reach the vault. There's a terminal next to the entrance, use this to open it"

"You're not coming with us?", he asked, puzzled, taking the Pipboy.

"No", she leaned over the couch to retrieve her pistol. "And don't ask me to."

"Just…do me a favour", she checked the magazine.

"Sure, anything", Preston replied, unsure what to do with himself.

"Don't touch the Cryopods, and don't cut the power to them", she tucked the pistol behind her.

"Of course, but…if you're not coming with us, why are you…."

"I'm going back to Concord, there are a few places I can check", she said.

"Alone?", "You can't be serious!", "Look If you wait a while, I can come with you after we check the vault", Preston reasoned.

Honestly, it made sense to her, but she wasn't going to go with them, and with how anxious she felt at the prospect of letting strangers get close to Nate, she wasn't about to sit still and wait for them either.

There was also the chance that they would have no option but to cut power to the vault, Cryopods included. If that happened, she wanted, no, she needed to find another option for them.

She shook her head, "Sorry, but I can't sit here and wait while…", she paused, avoiding his eyes, "I'll just drive myself crazy", she finished.

"But…"

"I have to get a few things together, can you give me a minute?", she cut him off and grabbed the door in a silent request for him to leave.

Preston sighed in defeat and stepped outside as she closed the door behind him.


It took a few short minutes to gather the things she needed. A few stims, an extra magazine, small flashlight. She slipped on the snug mini military backpack and ascended the storeroom stairs, stopping at the top to lace her boots.

If you had learned your lesson you'd be taking that anti material rifle with you.

She eyed the large gun dominating the far wall, briefly entertaining the idea.

No, best to stay light and fast, she decided, sliding the door shut and activating the lock.


She closed the door behind her and stepped out unto the porch, immediately intercepted by Codsworth as he floated towards her. She could see Preston and Sturges beyond him, further up the road.

"Mum!, am I to understand that we're headed back to Concord?"

"'I' am", she corrected. "You're staying here Codsworth".

"But why?", "Have you already forgotten about our last visit to that dreadful place?", his voice anxious, bordering on panic.

"The raiders are dead Codsworth and so is that…thing", she explained

"That hardly means there aren't more of those thugs skulking around Mum, or those….overgrown lizards"

"Those claws…brrr", Codsworth shivered, or at least a close approximation of it. "Did you see those claws!?".

Yeah, I saw them.

"Codsworth, I'll be fine, calm down", she tried to quiet the robot.

"No!, I won't let you!, Sir would never forgive me if I let you go back to that…that deathtrap!", "I'm coming with you!".

"No", she replied a matter-of-factly, putting her hands on either side of his metal body and positioning him in front of her door.

"You're going to stay here, you're going to help these people and you're going to keep them out of our house, understood?", her voice gentle and calming as if she were talking to a child.

"But, but…".

"I promise, I'll be okay", "I'll be back soon, two hours at the most", she assured him.

"Please Codsworth?"

A few moments of silence where she could almost picture the gears turning in his chrome head.

"Very well Mum…", he finally relented. "But…if you're not back in two hours I shall definitely come to your rescue!"

She smiled, "You better".

And with a wave she made her way to the next hurdle on her way out of Sanctuary.

She sighed under her breath as she approached them, "I thought you'd be gone by now".

"About that", Preston stepped forward, musket in hand," We were thinking, it would probably be best if I go in first, scout around, make sure everything's safe. In the mean time, Sturges here can go with you to Concord, help with your search. What do you think?"

The mechanic nodded and offered her a friendly smile. It took some effort not to let her irritation show, but she managed to keep a straight face. She was honestly in no mood to argue, instead muttering a simple "Fine" as she walked past the men. She was also in no mood for conversation.

Where had Dogmeat run off too anyway?


"Man, would you look at this", "A thing of beauty ain't it?"

"You ever ride one of these things?", the mechanic looked up at her, running his fingertips over the rusted, broken motorcycle.

Apparently Preston had filled him in on her story, how much, she wasn't sure. But with every car they passed, every building that caught his eye, he would bombard her with questions. It was irritating at first, as caught up in her own thoughts as she was, but eventually his childlike exuberance won her over. She was glad for the distraction.

She smiled down at him, the sun at her back, unable to hide her amusement, "There's one in our backyard, just behind the driveway, you can take a look when we get back", she offered.

"Heh, I'd like that".

"Come on", she passed him, eyes always searching the surrounding buildings and side streets for any sign of movement. She didn't forget where they were or why they were here.

"Got anywhere else in mind?", he asked, coming up behind her as they navigated another back alley.

"A few places", she whispered over her shoulder, crouching as the alley opened out into the street. Sturges followed suit, settling behind her while she stuck her head out to make sure it was safe.

The street was deserted, save for a solitary figure slumped forward in front of the museum, a crumpled mass of claws and scales at its feet.

He could see the subtle tightening of her jaw as her eyes lingered on the scene. "We headed back to the museum?"

"The hardware store", she answered , without looking at him."Let's go", she withdrew her pistol and made for the hardware store. They walked at a hurried pace, eyes darting from window to window, with fluttering, ragged curtains occasionally quickening her heartbeat.

A bright, white shirt was probably a bad idea.

The steel giant stood, slumped over, broken but victorious outside the hardware store. Its armor torn and missing, exposing the exoskeleton underneath. The Deathclaw lay in a bloody, mangled heap at its feet. One of its massive defining horns missing, blown off in the blast perhaps.

She nodded a silent 'Thank you' as her eyes lingered on her steel guardian before they entered the hardware.

"What exactly are you lookin for?", Sturges asked over his shoulder, gun at his side, surveying the street one last time before stepping inside.

He could hear her rummaging around behind the cash register.

"This".

He leaned over the counter to see her crouched down in front of a terminal.

"A terminal?", "What's it for?"

He took a seat on the counter and watched her work.

"The 'Vales' moved here from the city not long before we arrived in Sanctuary", her brow furrowed in concentration.

"A young couple and their adorable little girl, they ran this place together", "Lived on the other side of town, but they had their own workshop right here".

She paused, biting her lip and studying the screen before continuing. "I brought Nate's watch to be repaired here a few days after we arrived", a smile tugging at her lips. " That's when I met Katherine Vale, I still remember her daughter hiding behind her skirt, handing out flyers".

"I was so lost", she smiled fondly. "Wandering the streets of a small town for the first time, taking everything in".

"The clothes in the display windows were all just a little behind the latest fashion trends and every store was a privately owned family business. Everyone seemed to know one another".

"I remember feeling a bit like an outsider, invading their world. Completely out of my element".

"It was Katherine that showed me around town, filling me in on all the latest gossip", she grinned.

"She seemed to have no problem adjusting to life outside the city".

"It just so happened…"

This was the first time he'd had the chance to just observe her without having to worry about being caught staring.

She seemed lost in her memories even while her fingers danced across the keys with practiced certainty. Her voice, just a little husky, breathy and effortlessly sexy. She was about two inches taller than he was. Toned but not lacking in feminine curves. Perfect skin and piercing green eyes. An otherworldly beauty and at the same time physically intimidating.

It made sense, he reasoned. The people of her time must have lived in utter paradise, not wanting for anything. Healthy, safe and physically perfect. They were gods that doomed their world and cursed their children to wander this hollow wasteland. A world he'd only seen glimpses of in old pictures. Indeed, it boggled the mind, what could have been.

"And…there we are", he heard her say. The click behind her catching his attention. He watched the wall sink an inch, then slide open. He could hear the sound of gears turning inside the walls and the scraping of rusted metal.

"Well I'll be. You got a real knack for these things", he winced at the musty, stale air that assaulted them.

She stood and flashed him a proud smile. "Wait here, I won't be long", she picked up his 10mm from the table and handed it to him.

"You sure?".

She nodded and fished out a small flashlight from her pack, "Keep an eye out".


She descended the long staircase, the meager light from her flashlight straining to hold back the darkness. A musty, almost sweet odour, tickling her nose. The creaking of wood, the only sound until she, at last, felt the solid concrete floor beneath her feet.

Shelves stacked with equipment. Drills, hoses, tires. She walked with slow measured steps, shining the light across the shelves and workbenches, methodically scanning the sundry equipment and stocks.

A faint light at the far corner catching her attention when her eyes adjusted to the darkness.

That's what you're looking for.

A powered down generator, massive and bolted to the floor with a fusion core installed. It took her a few minutes, scanning the various dials and buttons . her light reflecting off the bright yellow paint and blinding her.

Here we go.

She hit the release, twisting the core, smiling as it came loose in her hands. Hopefully they wouldn't have to mess with the Vault's power supply now, at least for a while. She slipped her pack off and stumbled to a table in the center of the room, resting the flashlight on the table as she made room in her bag for the Core. The flashlight rolled across the table revealing bolt cutters, a soldering iron, wrenches, a drill, these could all be useful.

Lucky she didn't bring Sturges down here with her, they'd probably be here all day stumbling in the dark. They would definitely have to come back.

A small steel lockbox on the table gleamed in the light. She slid it over and pried the lid open. She grinned, "Must be my lucky day", she whispered, retrieving another Core. It looked new, unused.

"You're coming with me", she cradled it in her palms, testing its weight before storing it securely in her pack.

It was time to go, she reached over for the flashlight, feeling something soft beneath her boots when she leaned over the table.

"What…?", she shone the light at her feet.

"God!" jumped back in shock, her hand over her mouth, stifling her scream, tools hitting the concrete floor, shattering the silence.

Black, sunken eyes stared up at her. It had the shape of a person, deformed, immense growths all over its body like a cancer had eaten them alive. Lips shrivelled, exposing the few teeth still attached to its gums. Hair in sparse patches on a mostly bald head. This poor soul looked almost mummified.

She couldn't help the look of utter disgust on her face.

Unable to take the horrifying sight any longer, she removed the light from the corpse. Her heart still thundering in her chest as she leaned over the table, steadying herself as she tried to catch her breath.

What had caused that? The bombs? Radiation? But it's been over two hundred years, should it still look like that.

A shiver ran down her spine.

Had Sturges heard the noise? Her muffled scream? She would have expected him to come running down the stairs.

She scooped up her pack and reached for the flashlight once more. It was time to go.

Her blood ran cold as leathery fingers closed around her wrist and the 'corpse' pulled itself to its feet in front of her. Its face mere inches from her own, eerily illuminated from the flashlight on the table. Her breath left her, her mouth open but the scream died in her throat. She stared wide eyed at the twisted horror, unable to think. A guttural gurgle as it observed her, unmoving with an almost unbelieving curiosity in its black, sunken eyes. The sickly sweet smell of rotting flesh threatening to overwhelm her. It was then that she heard it, the same guttural groans, the stirring of life, of bodies behind her.

No…it was coming from all around her, from the ground, cloaked in darkness.

Instinct took over when the creature inched its face closer, she fumbled in the darkness with her free hand, grabbing the first object she found, a wrench. She swung it across the corpse's face but it kept its grip on her wrist even as it staggered back. Her skin crawled when she grabbed its hand and pried its shrivelled, leathery fingers off her wrist. She followed up with a blind kick at the creature, knocking the mass of flesh to the ground once more.

She backed away frantically snatching her pack, abandoning the flashlight and scrambled blindly towards the stairs, taking them two at a time.


"Whoa there lovely", a scrawny, almost skeletal young man pointed the barrel of his rifle in her face as soon as she reached the top of the stairs. Another bearded, bald man behind him, just inside the entrance, held Sturges at gunpoint.

"Told ya I heard somebody down there".

She showed them her palms, the backpack around her shoulder, with the cores clearly visible while she tried to mask the terror that must have been clear on her face during the mad dash up the stairs.

"Ain't no reason to be scared love, why don't you come over here, slowly", he backed up into the room, grinning.

She glanced at Sturges, who gave her an apologetic look.

She was painfully aware of the horde of 'zombies' at her back as she slowly followed the young man. She wanted to run, get the hell away from the stairs as fast as she could. With every step, she expected to feel the grip of rotting flesh on her shoulder from behind.

She kept facing him as she approached and backed up against the wall, keeping the pistol tucked behind her out of view. Thankful to be away from the basement steps.

They weren't raiders, at least they didn't look like the groups she'd had the displeasure of meeting thus far, Preston's group excluded. They were filthy, unkempt and she could smell the almost skeletal man that was giving her the once-over from head to toe, rifle still pointed squarely at her.

"What do we have here, lovely?", he reached for the pack around her shoulder, uncomfortably close as she let him slip it off of her. He lingered in her personal space a little longer than necessary and she could feel his breath on her neck, along with the barrel on her belly. Her eyes lingering on the basement door behind the counter off to the side.

How many of those things were in there?

She needed to grab Sturges and get the hell out of there.

"You smell real nice, love", he flashed her a row of rotten teeth. She couldn't help the scowl of disgust on her face as she glared down at him. His grin faltered. He turned and threw the pack to the man behind him who clumsily dropped it on the wooden floor with a heavy thud.

She ground her teeth, swearing under her breath. 'Idiot'.

Another glance at the basement door from the corner of her eye. Still no movement.

"Check it out, how much you think we gonna get for that?"

"Damn Higgs!, I gotta to ask Pa, but I'd say a good six hundred, each", he replied scooping up the bag.

He turned back to her, "Heh, I think we hit the jackpot here". She could feel the tip of the rifle running across her hips, snaking its way under her shirt until she felt the cold iron on her stomach.

"What else you got, love?", the grin returning to his face, his eyes lingering on her chest. "That can't be all you found down there". "Do I gotta search ya a little m…".

"Hey man, knock it off! ", Sturges interrupted. "You got what you want, you can have whatever's down there and we'll be on our way". The bearded man stepped forward and cracked him across the jaw with the butt of his rifle in response.

"Shut it!"

"Sturges!", she called as he staggered back. She instinctually made a move towards him, a hand on her chest holding her back.

"Heh!, so you can talk", Higgs grinned.

She backed up, slapping his hand away.

"Hey!", he growled, leveling the rifle at her.

"Sturges?", she called again. He cradled his jaw, holding a hand up to her to indicate he was all right.

"Hey Gram?", Higgs called over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off of her. "We don't need that one, right?", "Just put a bullet in…", the metallic clang of items hitting the floor echoed from the basement, snapping everyone's attention to the stairs.

"Higgs?", Gram and Higgs exchanged looks.

"Who else you got down there?" Higgs turned to face her, "How many?".

She gave him a bitter smile, "Why don't you go look", she spat.

He growled, baring his teeth at her. "Keep an eye on her", he instructed his companion before making his way to the basement door.

She locked eyes with Sturges for a brief moment, seeing his confusion.

"Hey, come on out!", "We got your people up here", he craned his neck through the doorway, pointing his gun at the oppressive darkness, unable to see more than a few steps down.

"I said we got your people!", he took a step down. "You want em back alive, then come on up here, assholes!".

Nothing but silence.

He stepped back up into the room and turned to her. "Hey, come'ere honey!". She stood her ground , making no move to obey, glaring at him.

"I said…", the rapid thud of footsteps on the wooden stairs catching his attention. One moment there was nothing there, and in a split second the mass of twisted, rotting flesh burst into the light.

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhh…", he had no time to react, his eyes wide as saucers. The horrific creature burst through the door, barrelling into him and knocking him into the counter with enough force to warp the floorboards it was bolted to.

"What the fuck?!", Gram shouted in horrified shock.

"Aw hell!", she heard Sturges shout.

"Gram!"

"Gram!...shoot it!", Higgs screamed in utter terror as he wrestled with the creature for his gun.

Gram immediately took a shaky aim at the threat, struggling to get a clear shot.

"Gram! What are ya doin, shoot it!"

The second Gram took his gun off of her she seized the chance. She reached behind her, finding the cool grip of the 9mm, whipping it around and taking aim in one swift, practiced motion. Her single shot drowned out the panicked screams, a crimson splatter hitting the walls.

"Jesus!", Sturges jumped back as Gram crumpled to the floor with a meaty thud.

"Grab the gun!", she instructed him before again taking aim and putting a bullet in Higgs's scrawny leg. She watched him scream and topple to the floor with the creature, just as another twisted monstrosity emerged from the basement and mounted him.

Seeing them in the light of day sent a horrified shiver down her spine. But at least she wasn't alone in the dark with them.

What are they?

For the moment they seemed preoccupied with Higgs. She could have killed them, Higgs included. But something stopped her. Maybe she didn't want to waste the bullets on targets she could just walk away from. Or maybe she felt a bit vindictive towards Higgs and his ilk.

Regardless, it was time to go, she approached Gram's lifeless body. Sturges was crouched next to him, frantically checking the rifle. "God damned ghouls!", he hissed. "Every time…".

Ghouls? So that's what they meant.

"Grab the cores, we need to leave, now!", she ordered as she tucked the pistol behind her.

He looked up at her, "Right behind…", his gaze shifting from her to the exit, his eyes wide in shock.

"Gram!", a gruff voice came from outside.

She turned just in time to see the dual barrels of a shotgun poke through the doorway.

She grabbed the barrel and pushed it skyward just as a burly older man stumbled into the hardware. The shot was deafening, hitting the ceiling and raining debris down on them.

"Leona!", she heard Sturges voice.

She struggled with him for a few seconds before thinking better of it, instead bringing her knee up, doubling him over and sapping some of his strength. It wasn't enough, he still held onto the shotgun with an iron grip.

Fine.

She grabbed his wrist, violently wrenching his arm to the side, exposing his elbow before slamming the heel of her palm into it with a sickening crack. The shotgun hit the floor.

"Gah!", he screamed, his face contorted in agony. A knifehand strike to the throat cut his screams off before she stomped her booted foot into his knee, breaking the joint. He was ready to fall, she grabbed him by the collar, slamming her hips into him before turning and flipping him onto the floor with a loud crash, pinning him with a knee on his sternum.

The sound of his wheezing drowned out by a snarl from behind the counter. She turned just as a ghoul poked its head around the corner, the noise having attracted its attention. It bolted towards her with surprising speed. She reached behind her for her pistol, her fingers finding the grip just as two shots rang out and the Ghoul crashed to the floor, skidding to a halt just a foot from her.

"Hot damn, woman!", Sturges yelled, gripping the smoking rifle. "You gotta teach me them moves sometime".

"Thanks", she nodded before looking down at the man beneath her and frowning, he was still struggling to breathe. Eyes squeezed tight in pain.

Psychotic animals.

"C'mon man I can hear more of em coming", Sturges urged.

"Yeah…", she muttered, standing, scooping up the bag and throwing it over her shoulder.

A third and fourth Ghoul emerged from the basement, dead eyes scanning the corpse behind the counter before settling on them, sending guttural snarls in their direction.

"Aw crap", Sturges unloaded a shot at them before she grabbed him by the arm and pulled him outside.

"Give me a break", she muttered under her breath, as they came face to face with a crazed looking woman brandishing a machete.

"Where are my boys?!", she demanded, raising the weapon.

"Higgs!", she croaked.

"Whoa, lady, just hold on th…", Sturges started, suddenly jumping at the sound of two gunshots hitting her in both legs. The woman hit the sidewalk, screaming behind them, as Leona quickly dragged him away from the hardware, over to the Power Armor, retrieving one of the cores from her pack and slamming it into the suit.

"What are you doing?", he asked, looking over his shoulder at the still screaming woman.

"Get inside", she instructed, her voice sounded exhausted, almost sombre. He turned to her, she was staring at the woman as well, while holding the hatch open for him, her expression unreadable.

"But…", his words dying when she shifted her gaze to him. There was no malice in her eyes, but it was clear the issue was not up for debate.

"Alright…", he stepped into the suit, sparing another glance over his shoulder. Two ghouls stuck their heads outside, likely seeing daylight for the first time in centuries before their dead, sunken eyes fell upon the woman. Her screams only intensifying at the realization of what was about to happen. Sturges closed his eyes when they fell upon her and the hatch was shut behind him. Leona circled around to face him, carefully stepping over the mangled Deathclaw's tail. It was dark inside the suit, but he could see her clearly enough through the large gash in the helmet.

"The core I put in is fully charged. Head back to Sanctuary and don't stop".

"What about you, I'm not gonna just leave y…"

"I'll be right behind you", she assured him.

"C'mon man I don't feel right about this, how bout we switch…"

"Sturges!", her voice pleading but firm nonetheless.

"Alright, alright, I'll wait for you outside of town then"

" SANCTUARY", she reiterated. "Don't. Stop.".

He sighed in defeat, "You're one stubborn lady, you know that?".

She gave him a half-hearted smile and stepped out of his way.

"Just, do me a favour, come back alive and in one piece"

She just nodded and watched him as he pushed off, thundering footsteps reverberating through the street.


She stood there on the sidewalk, and watched in disgust as the ghouls tore into the lifeless body of the woman. A mother and wife, her sons and husband lay dead inside.

Like the raiders, they were all no better than animals, unbound by law or morals, unchained by the civilizing effects of society. But was that so wrong? Afterall, none of these things existed anymore did they?

The freedom to act in their own interests, on their own base desires, without the consequences of law. Without concern for their fellow human beings. It reminded her of the numerous riots in her time, especially towards the end. When law breaks down, unable to be enforced, when people become desperate. Even in her time there were people like this.

Human nature.

Was that what it took to survive out here?

She had become a mass murderer in a matter of days. Something she had already accepted.

Self Defence was beside the point.

But none of it mattered anyway, not anymore.

Right?

There were new rules she had to play by, because this world was definitely not going to play by hers.


Another head emerged from the doorway, a twisted abomination like the rest. Wisps of golden hair still clung to its head. Sunken black eyes looked this way and that. One cautious step, then another, out into the open. The sunlight glinted off of its leathery skin. This one was much smaller than the others.

She raised her hand to her mouth in shock.

A Child.

The stained and tattered yellow dress that still clung to its tiny, hideously deformed frame. She'd seen that dress many times before. On the counter of the hardware store, in the loving arms of Katherine Vale and on the proud shoulders of David Vale.

She couldn't breathe, her eyes stung, tears creeping down her cheeks as she watched the small figure raise its head to the sky, almost seeming to enjoy the sunlight on its face. Strands of sparse, dull golden hair catching the sunlight. It observed the feasting ghouls tearing into the woman for a moment before noticing her.

But it's been over two hundred years….how?

Her heart sank when she locked eyes with the tortured creature. She removed her hand from her mouth and tried to smile despite her tears.

"H…Hey sweetie", her voice gentle and soothing as she took a step forward and slowly crouched down on one knee.

"Remember me?", she managed to choke out.

A pained groan escaped sagging, shriveled lips and a careless tilt of its balding, disfigured head.

It was all she could do to keep from breaking down into a sobbing mess. It broke her heart, trying to reconcile the memory of the beautiful little girl she remembered, smiling, laughing, so innocent…with the walking, pitiful monstrosity that slowly shambled towards her. One leg twisted and deformed, scraping on the sidewalk.

"Come here honey, it's okay…", she swallowed the lump in her throat and opened a welcoming arm. Her pained smile never breaking. Her other hand snaking its way down to the small of her back, fingers closing around a polymer grip.

Katherine and Dave...were they here as well? Which ones?

These were people…her people. Bastardized remnants of her time, mocking her memories of a better world.

Bent, shriveled fingers, touched her palms. Her breath quickened, her heart in her throat.

"It's okay", she whispered again, her eyes unblinking even as the tears clouded her sight.

A gurgled, wheezing breath as it got closer.

"Everything's okay, baby", her palm brushing over the dead, lumps of flesh on tiny arms, over tiny shoulders.

"It's over now…", her fingers closing around its neck. A cold breath on her arm as it strained to taste her flesh.

"The nightmare's over" , she gritted her teeth to stay the anguished wail that threatened to burst from her throat.

"You can go to sleep now, sweetie", her knuckles, white from the grip on her pistol as she drew it.

"You can go to sleep now…", she leaned in closer.

"Sophia".


"Look, with Shaun and us all being at home together…It's been an amazing year. But even so, I know our best days are yet to come…". She sat curled up on the sofa, swirling her finger around a glass of whiskey, Pip-boy on the coffee table. Preston leaned against the doorframe in sombre silence, head bowed. She had her back to him and hadn't yet noticed his presence. He hadn't intended to listen in, but curiosity got the better of him. After visiting the vault, seeing the man she loved, in that frozen coffin. To hear him speak now, the love behind his words. Something kept his feet in the doorway despite the guilt he felt at intruding.

"…But everything we do, no matter how hard...we do it for our family. Now say goodbye Shaun…Bye Bye? Say bye bye?. The sound of a giggling, sputtering infant. Bye honey. We love you".

She reached over and switched the Pip-boy off, wiping her cheeks with her sleeve. She looked dazed, tired.

He saw her jump when she finally noticed him. "Preston?", her voice a little hoarse.

"H..Hey, I'm sorry I…I didn't mean to listen in, I just", he fumbled for the words, feeling like a child caught misbehaving.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Not long", he lied. "I just uh…I just thought I'd check in, see how you were doing", "I can come back if…".

"No…no, its fine", she offered him a smile, "Come in", she tapped the sofa, "have a seat". She got up to fetch another glass as he entered the living room, he instead took a seat on the couch off to the side.

She poured him a glass before settling on the empty sofa, her legs curled up and her head propped up on her elbows.

"You look like you've got a lot on your mind", she broke the silence.

"Heh, considerably less since I met you", he took a swig, his face twisting as if he'd just sucked on a lemon. "Man this stuff if gonna kill me".

"Haha", she laughed, genuinely for a brief second that he almost wasn't sure he heard it.

"Sorry, I don't really have anything else", "Fridge is a little under stocked", she brought her hand to her face, and whispered conspiratorially, "I don't think Codsworth has been to the supermarket this week, might have to get a new model".

Preston chuckled, "Don't worry, once we've built this place up a little more, and started attracting settlers and traders, that shouldn't be a problem".

"Sounds like you've got big plans"

"Of course", Preston replied, "If you're gonna do something, you need to put your heart into it, go all out".

She smiled, swirling the whiskey in her glass, "I can get behind that, though I think you'd be better served working on security before you start putting up the 'help wanted' signs".

"That's true", he tipped his glass to her, "too much attention too fast could be a problem", "But this place, from what I can see, it shouldn't be too difficult to set up a good defensive perimeter". "We'll probably need some extra hands, so we'll have to be careful who we take in at the start".

"I'm sure you'll do fine, you all seem pretty capable, and you're off to a pretty good start", she said thoughtfully.

"That's largely because of you, you know?", he nodded. "I don't think I've properly thanked for your help back in Concord".

She shook her head, "You don't need to, I just did what any…", she stopped herself.

"What anyone would have done?", he finished her thought. "No…no they wouldn't have", he leaned forward in his seat. "You had your own problems, your son…but you helped us anyway, risked your life I don't know how many times. You've been helping us ever since and you haven't once asked for anything. We wouldn't be here if it weren't for you, I'm certain of it".

She chuckled, feeling embarrassed at his praise, "You're putting me on a pretty high pedestal, don't sell yourself short, these people made it this far because of you".

He shook his head, "I told you, out of the nineteen of us that made it out of Quincy, this is all that's left. And that's in large part to my decisions. They were under my protection and I failed them".

"Preston…".

"It all started to fall apart when General Becker died, the infighting and petty squabbles for power. It wasn't the same Minutemen I admired, growing up. Our ideals had become secondary, an afterthought, you know?. That's what paved the way for the betrayal at Quincy. That's what led to the weakness of men like Clint. His betrayal led to the death of countless civilians, my friends, of Colonel Hollis. The responsibility to protect those survivors fell on me when the Colonel died. The last Minuteman and I couldn't even manage that.

"What about Sturges, Mama Murphy, the Longs, you didn't fail them, and I know they don't think that either. I mean, I've been out there only a few days, but from what I've seen, it's hard enough looking out for yourself, much less anyone else".

He leaned back in his seat with a sheepish smile, "I know…still, it was on me to keep them safe. My duty". He chanced a look at her. "If you hadn't shown up, we'd be dead. No question about that, and I was okay with that. Felt I deserved it. My whole life I've tried to embody the ideals of the Minutemen, even when it all started to fall apart. But I was ready to die at Concord, even if it meant condemning these people. What does that say about me?"

"It says that you lost hope. After what you've been through, anyone would have. It says you're human", she offered.

"That's what I mean", he pointed at her with his glass. "Hope, that's what you gave me. You risked your life out there for people you've never met when there was nothing in it for you. Those are the ideals that the Minutemen under General Becker embodied".

She broke his gaze, feeling thoroughly awkward. She was nobody's hero.

"I'm sorry", he chuckled nervously, leaning forward and setting his glass on the table. "I didn't mean to go on like that. I just…I just want you to know how grateful I am, for everything. I have my share of demons to deal with and I'm sure you do too. But you gave me hope, and you gave us another chance. We won't waste it".

She smiled, trying to hide her embarrassment and set her glass down next to his. "Not sure I deserve such high praise, but I'm glad you found your feet again. These people are going to need you".

Preston offered her a thoughtful nod as an awkward silence settled over them.

"Um, so how is Sturges doing? Still tinkering with that Power Armor?"

"Hah! ,no, actually, now he's up to his elbows in that bike of yours and still going on about the Ghouls at Concord". Preston leaned forward again, a seriousness in his expression. "You took a long time getting back this morning, we were about to send out a search party after Sturges came back alone". "You looked, different, when you passed us on the bridge, 'out of it'. What happened out there?"

"Ghosts", she muttered, leaning back on the sofa.

"Just, ghosts from the past".


"Take this", she held out the large box, straining under its weight. Guns, ammunition and other supplies, some devices he couldn't even identify.

"Where did you get all this?", Preston asked, taking the box and backing up, setting it down outside her door.

A hand on his shoulder. "Boss", Sturges appearing at his side with a nod before stepping into the house.

"Just a few things I had in storage, I thought you could make use of it", she called while lacing her boots.

"Ma'am", Sturges greeted.

"Hey", she smiled, looking up at him.

She looked different. A dark vest under a black, cropped leather jacket. Black jeans and combat boots. But it wasn't just her clothes. There was something in her eyes. A certainty and a purpose where there was none before.

Resolve.

She finished lacing her boots and stood.

"How's the jaw", she asked, slipping on a pair of fingerless gloves.

"Heh, that was nothing", he grinned, running a thumb along his jaw.

"Is that for me?", she nodded to the bundle in his arms wrapped in cloth.

"Huh?...oh yeah", "A few supplies, nothin much, some food, a few stims I hope you don't have to use".

"Thanks". She accepted the bundle and carefully placed it in a large backpack on the sofa.

"Listen, I just wanna say thanks, and good luck, I really hope you find your kid out there".

"Thanks", she smiled warmly, feeling somewhat awkward. Should she hug him? She didn't know them that well did she?

Instead she settled on handshake, which he returned with sincerity. "Be safe out there".

"Mum, don't forget this", Codsworth appeared from the corridor, carrying an assault rifle.

"Ah".

"I really wish you would let me come with you", he pleaded.

"We talked about this", she placed a palm on his metal frame.

"I know, I know, and I shall assist them to the best of my ability"

"Hey, cheer up pal", Sturges chimed in. "You and me are gonna have this town lookin as good as new by the time she gets back".

"Yes…yes you're right. Mum, do hurry back with young Shaun".

"I'll find him Codsworth". It was both a promise to herself and a declaration thrown out into the aether.


"You remember the route I showed you?", Preston asked as the duo walked towards the bridge.

"Yeah", she tapped her Pip-boy. "It's Fenway Park, I'd be able to find my way there in my sleep", she grinned.

They finally reached the bridge, looking out into the wasteland beyond.

"Ma'am", Preston turned to her, reaching into his coat. "There's something I'd like you to have".

"What is it?", she asked, turning to him, her voice almost lost on the wind.

A dark blue handkerchief, no, a sash, folded with care. He held it out to her and she ran a finger over the finely embroidered Minutemen logo and the striped Insignia below it. "My friend, Colonel Ezra Hollis, gave this to me before he died". She looked up at him, a mix of sympathy and confusion in her eyes.

"I can't…".

"It belonged to General Joe Becker".

She withdrew her fingers in surprise, but he caught her hand and placed it on the sash, clasping it under his own.

She shook her head. "Preston I can't take this".

He just smiled. There was sadness in his eyes, regret even. But there was also determination. "The Minutemen died at Quincy…hell, maybe even long before that. But their ideals, their spirit didn't. I can see that now. As long as there are people like you out there".

"Preston, I don't deserve this, you're giving me way too much credit".

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You're wrong, even if you don't see it. I do".

"I don't know why Colonel Hollis gave this to me, but I do know that I don't deserve to carry it, at least not yet".

She frowned and bit her lip, looking down at her hand between his.

"I'm not asking you to become the next General. I just think that it should be carried by someone who embodies the ideals it represents. When you get back, if you decide you want to return it, maybe by then, I'll be worthy to carry it".

He withdrew his hands, letting the fabric rest in her palm. She studied it, deep in thought for a moment before making up her mind with a sigh.

"You're already worthy, Preston", she slipped the sash into her jacket pocket, then caught his eye, "Maybe when I get back you'll have realized that".

He smiled, a bittersweet smile and extended his hand. "Take care of yourself out there, Ma'am".

"Leona", she corrected, taking his hand.

"Leona", he nodded.

"Preston". She made it half way up the bridge before she stopped, and turned to him once more.

"About my house…".

"Don't worry", he chuckled. "We won't mess with it.

She nodded, "Take care of yourselves". One last look towards the town before she turned, leaving Sanctuary behind.

Preston stood there and watched as she passed the old Minuteman statue. A blur out of the corner of his eye causing him to jump as Dogmeat darted over the bridge. He couldn't help but laugh as he watched the dog almost topple her over. The canine lapping at her face in greeting as she laughed, before dashing ahead, barking for her to follow.

"Take care of her, boy", and with a tip of his hat he turned as well. Towards Sanctuary, the spark of hope in his heart.