"I'm home", Piper called when she shut the door.

"I'm up here", came Natalie's voice from Piper's room.

"Did you eat yet?", she threw her hat on the sofa.

"Yeah".

"What about your homework?", Piper asked as she ascended the stairs to her room.

"Did it".

"All of it?", Piper probed as her little sister came into view. She was seated at Piper's terminal. Her attention focused on her favorite video game, Red Menace.

"Ye-es", came her sing-song reply.

Piper leaned in the doorway and watched her for a moment. Her sister seemed completely engrossed in the game, oblivious to everything else. An almost comically adorable expression of concentration on her face, and Piper couldn't help but smile.

A stack of papers next to her bed caught her eye. "Hey is this tomorrow's issue?", Piper grabbed one and began leafing through it after taking a seat on her bed.

"Mhm, the motor's acting up again. I think it's going to go soon", Natalie informed her sister, without taking her eyes off the screen.

"Yeah? I'll take a look at it in the morning, but it's been doing that for week-", Piper began, but a sudden outburst from her sister startling her.

"Nooooo!", Natalie cried out, burying her face in her palms as the words Game Over flashed on the screen.

"Geeze Nat!"

"Sorry, but I was soooo close", Natalie pouted.

"Yeah well, them's the breaks kiddo", Piper grinned as she slipped off her boots. The initials PIP still at the top of the high score screen. "Now scram, go brush your teeth. I've got a little work to do", she tapped the back of the chair.

"What's that on your face?", Natalie asked reaching up to touch her sister's cheek and recoiling when Piper winced. A flash of pain on her big sister's face. "Piper what happened?!".

"It's nothing", Piper insisted. "Had a little scrap on this last case. Zigged when I should have zagged", she grinned.

But it was clear from Natalie's expression that she didn't appreciate her sister's levity on the matter. "It's not funny! You always act like it's a joke. This is the third time this month. Why do you keep doing this?!".

"It's my job Nat. Things tend to get a little hairy sometimes, but it all worked out. Everything's fine", Piper insisted as she reached out to her sister, but Natalie backed away.

"No it's not!", she shouted and ran out of the room.

"Nat!", Piper called after her, hearing her footsteps as she ran down the stairs. "Natalie!", she stuck her head through the doorway just in time to see her sister slam the door to her room downstairs.

Piper sighed, brushing her fingers through her hair and blowing a few errant locks from her face. "Great job Piper".

She stood there for what felt like minutes, her gaze absently darting across her room. Lost in her thoughts.

What she was doing mattered. It was fulfilling, kept a roof over their heads, and she was damn good at it.

Usually.

But Nat was a kid, and excuses like that wouldn't matter to her.

She had been getting a little reckless…careless, during her recent jobs though. That much was obvious.

She'd been working with Nick a lot more in recent months. Both on her own cases and his.

Maybe…maybe she'd been relying on him a little too much. Losing her touch…

Nick had been trying to warn her about that for a while now, she realized.

Working together wasn't a bad thing. Quite the opposite. But maybe she was so used to working alone that she had trouble adjusting to the little semi partnership thing, they had going on. Becoming overly complacent and careless, knowing that Nick always had her back.

But that wasn't the only problem. A few scrapes and bruises were just a part of what she did. But she'd been spending more and more time at home recently. Making it harder to hide things like that from her sister.

She closed her eyes and let out a slow, measured breath as she rolled her head, feeling the stiffness in her neck.

She needed a walk.


"Nat?", Piper knocked lightly on her sister's door. "I'm just stepping out for a bit. Do you want anything?".

There was no answer.

She sighed and headed for the front door, stopping in the living room to adjust her jacket. The sound of Natalie's door squeaking open catching her attention, and she turned just as her sister barreled into her, wordlessly wrapping her arms around Piper's waist.

"Are you okay", Piper asked, running her fingers through her sister's hair as she hugged her.

"Nat?", Piper asked again when her sister didn't reply. Her face buried in Piper's jacket.

"I don't want to lose you too", came Natalie's muffled reply.

"Wh-Hey", Piper dislodged her sister's arms and knelt in front of her. "Hey now. I'm not going anywhere", she held her sister in front of her, holding her gaze. "You're not going to lose me", she smiled.

"But you keep getting hurt and-", Nat cried.

"I know kiddo", Piper cut her off. "I messed up- I've been, messing up. You're right. I've been acting a little reckless lately, but I promise, I'll be more careful". Piper searched her sister's face, but Natalie averted her eyes, "I'm not going to leave you alone. Do you hear me?". "Hey", Piper craned her head to look her sister in the eye, "It's you and me, kiddo, remember?"

Natalie nodded solemnly, wiping at her cheeks.

"C'mere", Piper pulled her sister close, wrapping her in a tight embrace.


Piper leaned back against the door of the Publick. The cool evening air nipping at her cheeks. The sky tinged with the orange glow of the retreating sun.

The town was busy. Bustling with the influx of residents, traders and wanderers, filtering in to escape nightfall out in the wastes. Most would be spending the night at one of the many bars, out on the streets, or just outside the city gates.

MacCready would most likely be at home in one of the bars, considering where she'd met him.

But what about...'. Piper pushed off the door, shoved her cold hands in her pockets, and stepped out into the crowded streets.


"Sorry, s'cuse me", Piper apologized, as she squeezed past a drunken group crowding the entrance to the Dugout Inn.

The smell of booze, smoke, and scavvers who hadn't bathed in a month. The place was absolutely crowded. The clink of glasses, incoherent chatter and bouts of exuberant laughter, drowning out her apologies as she stumbled her way to the bar.

"Vadim!", Piper called to the barkeep, who was cleaning glasses behind the counter.

"Pipeeer!", he grinned from ear to ear, setting his glass down and wiping his hands as he made his way over to her. " So you have finally decided to come publish Vadim's latest tale of herism yes? He-hero-ism, that's it heroism. I don't say this word too often", he greeted in his thick Russian accent.

"What'd you do this time Vadim?", Piper asked warily as she took a seat.

"You will not believe. So, I awoke after night of fun to find myself wearing a coating of robot coolant. And nothing else!" he laughed. "So wh-".

"Vadiiim. Pleeease. Stop. Now", Piper cringed, rubbing her temples in annoyance. "Can I just have a beer?"

"Hahaha. Too much information, yes? Yefim tells me I talk too much. I can't help it. It is who I am", he fetched her drink and set it down in front of her. "I have to say, it is unusual to see you in here. Not that I am complaining"

"I can see that. Looks like business is good", Piper took a sip.

"It is not bad, but most people you see, just want to get out of the cold. I have so many empty rooms in back, but hardly anyone can pay".

"About that", Piper downed most of her drink and set the glass down. "As great as the beer is, I actually came here looking for someone. Maybe you can help me".

"Ah, you are on a case, then?", Vadim leaned in closer, uncharacteristically lowering his voice. "As much as I would like to help. I cannot be…", he paused for a moment, searching for the right words. "…spilling the beans, on my customers. It's bad for reputation, you understand".

"Oh, no, no ,no", Piper waved his concerns away. "I'm actually looking for a friend of mine. Well, not a friend exactly. But they helped me out of a bind earlier and I just wanted to say thanks, see how they were doing. You know?", she smiled innocently.

She could hear him scratch at the stubble on his chin as he thought it over. Unsure if he bought her story.

"This person, what is their name?", he asked.

"Th-Uh, Leona. She's…uh. Well she's tall, and she…uh-".

"Ah! The pretty brunette with the-", he began to make a cupping motion in front of his chest, but caught himself midway and instead pretended to clear his throat. "She paid for room. A whole week in advance".

'So she's planning on sticking around for a while. She did say she was looking for an infant…' Piper mused.

"Your friend. She is…mercenary, or something?", he asked.

"I'm…I'm not sure, actually", Piper admitted.

Vadim leaned over the counter and whispered. "I do not mean to speak ill of your friend, but there is something…off, about her yes?".

"Off?", Piper looked at him in confusion. "Did something happen?".

"Nothing happened", Vadim shook his head. "She is polite. Does not talk much. But I have a…'weird feeling' around her. I do not know how to explain".

'That's helpful', Piper resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Could you, uh… tell me what room she's in?

"Room three. The last door on the left side", he directed.

"Is she in right now?", Piper probed.

"This I can't say. It is hard right now, to keep track with all these people."


'Ray Smith is Right Behind You Baby.

-I mean it's his song, he's not actually behind you. I di-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle anyone. You should turn around cause there might be someone behind you, but it's not Ray Smith, cause he's singing.'

You can run like a rabbit, fly like a bee.

No matter what you do you'll never get away from me

Because I'm, right behind you, baby

Right behind you, baby.

Well I'm right behind you baby and you'll never get away from me.

The Pip-Boy lay on the table, amidst rows of guns, knives, medical supplies and other utilities. The radio was turned up, almost drowning out the sound of running water.

Dogmeat lay resting on one of the couches surrounding the table.


Cold water beat down on her back and neck as she leaned forward against the wall, absently watching the soapy water cascade from her hair and down her body.

She closed her eyes. Images flashed across her mind. The more recent, cold, bloody, brutal and horrific. A jarring contrast to the warm embraces and loving smiles from another lifetime.

The freezing water massaged her shoulders with a rhythmic thrumming, and the music faded as she drifted somewhere between dream and reality.

Warm sunlight kissed her face. Nate's arm around her shoulders, and her baby, Shaun, in her arms.

They sat on a park bench. She could feel Nate's lips on her cheek. She could feel his warmth .

His scent, calming. His touch reassuring and safe.

He spoke but she couldn't hear him. Couldn't turn to see his face.

Her baby reached up to touch her. His tiny hands wrapped around her finger.

Innocent and beautiful.

She brushed a thumb gently across his cheek, leaving a streak of red. She turned her hand around to reveal her palms stained with blood.

Nate was gone. His warmth replaced by chilling cold.

Her baby cried, as crimson blood spread across his blue blankets.

A final chilling scream snapping her awake.

Her eyes shot open and she gasped loudly in utter shock. Freezing water ran down her body. And the sound of the radio outside registered in her mind once more.

Her breath came in rapid, shallow bursts. It was almost a minute before she regained control.

She squeezed her eyes shut. A whimper escaping her lips as she bared her teeth in frustrated anger, forcibly banishing each memory that flashed across her mind. As always, she wouldn't dwell on these things. These thoughts served no purpose. Not now.

Well you can fly through the clouds, sail on the sea

No matter what you do you'll never get away from me

Because…

She let the music help drown out her thoughts as she stood up straight and wiped the hair from her face. The freezing water was starting to become too uncomfortable.


Piper knocked lightly on the door, putting her ear against it when there was no response. Not that she needed to. She could hear the muffled music while just standing in front of the door.

She bit her lip as she subtly looked around. There was no one else in the hallway and she was hidden from the view of anyone in the bar area. Reaching into her jacket, she retrieved a bobby pin and got to work on the lock.

So don'tcha say I'm smart, and have the kindest heart

Or what a wonderful sister I'd be

Just tell me how you like my

(Ruff!)

Personality…

The lock clicked and Piper cracked the door open. The first thing she saw was Dogmeat on the long couch. His ears perked up in her direction. His tail wagging excitedly when he recognized her.

'Well this is the right place', Piper mused.

An excited half bark from Dogmeat, prompting her to bring her finger to her lips to silence him, as she quietly closed the door.

She could hear the shower running, through the closed door nearby. It was a small, single room. A living space near the entrance consisted of a short table surrounded by three couches. A desk in the back of the room, and the bathroom on the right.

Piper lingered by the door, scanning the myriad of munitions and gear laid out on the table. A Pip-Boy blaring the radio in the middle of it.

Here's a real classic from good ole Nat King Cole. Orange Colored Sky. And it's-it's a good one, no matter what anyone says'

She took a single cautious step forward, and Dogmeat sat up on the couch, quirking his head at her odd behaviour.

I was humming a tune, drinking in sunshine

When out of that orange colored view…

What exactly was the endgame here, Piper asked herself. What exactly was she trying to accomplish by breaking into this stranger's room.

Someone with this many guns and sharp objects might not take too kindly to her trespassing.

'No', Piper dismissed the thought. The woman she'd met at the orphanage was reasonable.

'Because you weren't breaking into their room!', The voice of reason in her head finally winning out.

But it was too late. She saw Dogmeat turn before she heard the shower door open.

A single pale, long leg, emerged from the shower room.

Time seemed to slow to an absolute crawl for Piper, as she watched the unfamiliar woman step out into the living area.

I was walking along, minding my business

When love came and hit me in the eye…

Piper's gaze traveled the length of toned legs and beautifully curved hips.

Flash! Bam! Alakazam!

Out of an orange colored, purple-striped, pretty green, polka-dot sky

She watched the muscles of the woman's arms and shoulders tense and relax as she dried her face with the towel. The towel, which was just long enough to preserve her modesty, as she hugged it in front of her.

It was as the woman lifted her head, and emerald eyes met amber, that Piper's heart skipped a beat, and she knew she was done for.

Flash! Bam! Alakazam! and goodbye!


Piper blinked as her mind caught up, to find that the stranger had a gun pointed at her.

"Don't make me ask you again", the woman warned in a familiar voice, un-muffled by layers of cloth.

"Whoa! Whoa!", Piper held up her hands and backed up against the door. Apparently the woman had asked her a question, but for the life of her, Piper couldn't remember hearing it.

"Don't shoot! It-It's me P-Piper Wright! We met earlier? At Olsen's place? I was-"

"I know who you are", Leona cut her off. "That door was locked. Why did you break in?". She asked in a firm yet calm voice.

While she didn't look even remotely pleased. She didn't look like she was ready to start shooting either. That, and her finger wasn't on the trigger, Piper noticed.

"Was it really? I didn't-", Piper began, but the subtle narrowing of Leona's eyes, killed her attempt at levity.

"Okay! Wait! You're right, it was locked. But in my defense, I didn't know if you were in, and-", Piper stopped herself, realizing what she'd just said.

Leona quirked her head, and Dogmeat groaned as he settled back into the couch, ignoring them both.

"Wh-Uh…Can-Can I, try that again?", Piper pleaded.

She saw Leona's jaw tighten.

"I-I'm…I'm really sorry. I'm a reporter, and getting into places I'm not supposed to be is kinda my thing", Piper explained. "After what happened today, I was a little curious and-".

"I get it", Leona cut her off again, for no other reason than she was freezing, and her patience was wearing thin. "Sit down", she ordered, carefully bending down to lower the volume on the Pip-Boy.

Piper did as she was told, taking a seat on the couch nearest the door, and facing Leona.

"Here", Leona backed up and kicked the opposite couch, facing away from her. "I'm not putting on a show", she added.

"R-right! Sorry", Piper mentally slapped herself as she approached Leona cautiously, and took the seat facing the door.

"Don't, turn around", Leona ordered and disappeared behind her, in the back of the room.


Piper sat rigid on the couch, her hands in her lap. Her heart thundering in her chest and she wasn't sure why. It wasn't fear. She was in no danger and she knew it.

She found it impossible to ignore the barely audible sound of rustling fabric behind her.

Her gaze wandered over the weapons and gear laid out on the table, settling on the Pip-Boy.

"You're…not a vault dweller are you?", she asked.

"I'm from a vault, yes", came Leona's reply. "Why?".

"Nothing. I just- without a Pip-Boy or blue jumpsuit, I honestly wouldn't have guessed", Piper admitted. "You seem more like- Hey this symbol, it's...it's the Minutemen isn't it?", Piper raised the blue sash over her head.

"Mhm", Leona confirmed.

"What about the stars and lines below it?", Piper traced her fingers over the stripes.

"Those are General's stripes", Leona replied. "Just a reminder. It should go without saying, but touch one of the weapons on that table and we're going to have a problem", she added a-matter-of-factly.

"Ye-I, Uh…I Got it", Piper replied, almost dropping the sash.

Everyone knew about Quincy by now, Piper mused. The Minutemen were gone. Betrayed by one of their own and tragically wiped out by the Gunners.

Was this woman affiliated with the Gunners? A former member turned enemy maybe?

"How did you get this?", Piper asked, quickly following up with, "I mean, if you don't mind me asking".

"From the Minutemen. Where else?", Leona grabbed the sash from her as she passed by and took a seat on the couch with Dogmeat.

Now dressed in navy green long pants and a black sports bra. She dropped the sash in the duffel bag next to the table, as she ran a small towel through her hair.

Piper caught herself staring and quickly resumed her questions before Leona looked her way. "I, um. I thought the Minutemen were all wiped out at Quincy. Or…well, disbanded at least".

Leona looked her over as she ran her fingers through her wet hair. "There's at least one man that didn't hang up his hat".

"And…is he, still alive?", Piper probed.

Leona paused for the briefest of moments. "I hope so", she said finally. "He rescued a handful of civilians from the massacre, and eventually they found somewhere to settle down", she explained.

'So she didn't kill a Minuteman for the sash. Considering her recent actions, and the fact that she was a vault dweller. Assuming it was all true, her being previously affiliated with the Gunners seemed less and less likely. Maybe', Piper reasoned.

"Where are they now?", Piper asked, as Leona retrieved a small case from her bag. A medkit, if the cross on the front was anything to go by.

"They've been through enough", Leona replied. "They don't need the attention".

Dogmeat snaked his head under Leona's arm and rested on her lap, watching as she organized the items on the table. "Traitor", she teased, making a face at the dog. To which he simply huffed and grumbled, before settling once more on her thigh.

"Strictly off the record", Piper continued.

"There's no such thing as off the record, when it comes to reporters", Leona countered.

"That's not true, I-", Piper's words faded when Leona got up and made her way over, taking a seat on the table, directly in front of her. Very much in her personal space.

"Wh-What are you doing?", Piper asked, sinking backwards into the couch. But Leona ignored her as she sorted through the medkit at her side.

Not that Piper noticed. Her mind being completely fixed as it was, on the fact that Leona's knee was brushing against her inner thigh. She did however notice the wet trails that Leona's dark hair left over the pale skin of her right shoulder, as well as the snug bandage on her left. Even the single drop of water rolling down her collarbone and travelling south over rolling hills and deep valleys.

Piper's detail oriented mind didn't always work the way it was supposed so.

"Come here" Leona finally turned to her, and casually beckoned with her fingers.

"Wha-Why?", Piper stuttered, even as she obeyed and leaned in.

Leona tapped her own lips in response to the question, which only served to draw Piper's attention there.

"Closer", Leona directed, and Piper squirmed in her seat. Her heart thundered like a jackhammer in her chest as she inched even closer. Her mind was blank, having temporarily lost the capacity for coherent thought. Her gaze focused solely on pink lips. A pleasurable ache building in her lower regions.

They were mere inches apart when Leona cupped her jaw and tilted her head to the side. Piper's eyes widened slightly at the jarring course correction, before Leona dabbed a cotton swab at her lip.

"Ow! Geeze! What the hell!", Piper winced.

"It's supposed to sting. Stop squirming!", Leona scolded. "And stop talking", she added.

Piper quietly endured the sustained assault. Acutely aware of Leona's touch as she tilted Piper's head this way and that.

As awkward as she felt being face to face, in such close proximity. It did allow her the opportunity to burn every contour and detail of the woman's face into her mind.

Piper's gaze traced the length of a defined jawline, lingering on enticing lips before drifting upwards and drowning in a sea of emerald green.

It wasn't long before their eyes met, and Piper diverted her gaze towards the ceiling.

"What is it?", Leona asked?

"What's what?"

"You were staring", she explained.

"No I wa-…Well you're in my face. What else am I supposed to look at?", Piper grumbled.

Leona brushed it aside and instead, pressed a strip of synthetic fabric to Piper's cheek. "Hold this here", she directed.

"Itsh warm", Piper stated as she held it to her face and flexed her jaw.

"It'll help with the bruising. Leave it on for a half-hour", Leona explained while she finished packing the medkit. "Now then. You said you knew someone that could help me with my search".

"Huh?", Piper recalled their conversation at the hideout. "Wait. Is that why you didn't just kick me out?"

"That's why I didn't shoot you and then kick you out", Leona corrected her with an almost imperceptible smirk. Almost.

"Hah! That, that's just great. You'll have to forgive me for not sharing your amusement", Piper pouted, making a face at her. "Unfortunately, he left on a case, just as we got back. I don't expect him back for at least a day".

"I see…", Leona bit her lip, lost in her thoughts for a moment, before finally coming to a decision. "That's fine. I can wait".

Piper caught the unmistakable flash of frustration and pain in her face, but it was gone in the blink of an eye. "Sorry. But I know he can help you when he gets back. His name's Nick Valentine, and there's no one better at tracking people down".

"Yeah", Leona forced a smile as she brushed the damp hair from her face. "I hope so".

She started to get up, but Piper stopped her.

"Hey wait. I, uh...I wanted to ask you when we met earlier, but… This infant you're looking for….is, he yours?".

The look on her face was all the confirmation Piper needed.

"Oh boy", Piper whispered. "I…I'm so sorry", she offered.

"His name is Shaun. He's three months old". Leona's gaze settled on the floor, distant and unfocused.

A sombre silence fell between them.

"Wh…What happened?", Piper risked, when it became clear that no elaboration was forthcoming.

Leona took a deep breath and sat up straight. "Look uh, Piper?", she asked and Piper nodded. "It's been a long day and-".

"O-Of course, I understand, I'll, get out of your hair, but, um…", Piper sighed feeling utterly powerless. "It's not much but…I know this city pretty well and, a lot of people pass through here everyday. If you want, I can show you around tomorrow, help you ask around?". Piper offered. Concern and sympathy etched on her face. "O-Or if you just want to talk. I'd…I'd really like to hear your story. I-I mean not as a journalist or anything, I just-"

"Thanks", Leona cut off her rambling with a grateful smile. "That actually sounds like a good idea".

Leona stood, and Piper followed suit, sensing her cue to leave.

"I can meet you here in the morning. Is that okay?", Piper asked as Leona held the door open.

"That's fine", Leona offered her a polite smile. "Just, knock next time, alright?".


The lock clicked and Leona leaned back against the door.

Pain flashed across her face and she cupped her throbbing shoulder, running a thumb along the bandage. She lifted her hand to her face, watching it tremble as she made a weak fist.

It felt as if the stimpaks were becoming less and less effective.

She let out an unsteady breath, shivering as she made her way to the table. She grabbed a bottle of pain killers and downed three in one gulp, before carelessly tossing the bottle back on the table.

"Scoot over buddy" she said as she stopped in front of the long couch. Dogmeat jumped off, allowing her to lay down before he hopped back on and settled next to her.

Concerned whimpers as he licked her chin.

"I'm okay", she whispered, scratching him behind the ears. Words meant for her, as much as him.

She reached into her pocket, retrieving two rings, holding them up to the light before reverently slipping them onto her finger. 'I Promise...'

She'd been running on little sleep for a few days now. Her body ached and her mind fared little better.

Her consciousness faded. As always, she would find no sanctuary in sleep.


NOTES :

I used lyrics from a few songs in this. They were all featured in the game itself.

Right Behind you Baby - Ray Smith watch?v=Q29FaWHnvu8

Personality - Johnny Mercer & The Pied Pipers watch?v=xKYari2aMSo

Nat King Cole - Orange Colored Sky watch?v=ad6EL-qTGl8

Orange Colored Sky is about love at first sight and the feelings associated with that. Tried to use it to emphasize how Piper felt in that moment. Don't know if it came across well, but I tried something^^.

Absolutely adore those songs and others featured in the game.

So yeah Piper is pretty much lovestruck. For Leona however, that's the absolute furthest thing from her mind right now.