Chapter 7: Love Ties
"Gunners? You got to be Kiddin me!" Cait huffed as she shot down a few men in the entrance hall. "Sorry Cait, this is where the pit boy took us." Nora said in her defense, swinging her hammer to the closet bloke that got in her way. The building intercom was blaring something but the two ladies didn't really care to listen. "Cait, watch out. I hear turrets." Nora warned, trying to hack into a computer. "Sure, sure." Cait responded, shooting down a gunner that ran towards them. "In! I turned them off. Let's go!" Nora led the way.
They made it up some caved in floors and started to take a rest in some kind of kitchen area. "I wonder why a Synth would be here." Nora cracked open a purified water can and handed it to the red head. "Thanks Darlin." Cait drank it hastily, allowing some to drip down her chin. "Thirsty Hu?" Nora teased, opening a can of her own. They looked around when they heard foot steps from above and shouting from the hall. "Where did that little bitch go?" A gunner yelled, filling the red head with unbridled rage. "I'm ready to kick some arse!" Cait growled, clicking her shot gun closed. "Cait, calm down It didn't bother me."
"I don't give a shite. He called you a bitch so I'm goin to shoot him." Cait left the room and Nora followed behind.
"Shite! My arm!" Cait hissed, leaning against the wall to help prop her gun up. She was able to take down her target, but she was bleeding down to her wrist guards. "Cait!" Nora ran over and hastily looked for a stimpack. "You need to be more careful sweetie." She sank the needle into Cait's now healing arm. Who in return leaned over and pecked her lover on the cheek, "Thank you, it feels much better."
"Please Cait. I don't want to loose you." Nora begged, she helped the red head stand. "I ain't goin anywhere. I have someone worth fightin for." She leaned in once more, wrapping her arm's around Nora's slim waist. They stayed close like that for a minute before Nora grabbed her gun. "Let's clean house."
...
"I need that courser chip in your head!" Nora explained, gripping the end of her sledge nervously. "How did you even know about the chip? Well, I can't allow you to have it." The Synth disappeared before the woman's eyes. Cait was watching the gunners with their noses to the wall, but as soon as Nora began to swing around blindly, she knew something had to be done. She pulled out her knife and closed in. Making sure not to get into Nora's way, she circled around. She watched the ground and when she felt air rush by her, she swung the blade. The synth groaned in pain as he became visible once more. Nora was finally able to hit her target. With a few powerful swings, the synth was decommissioned. "You're a miracle Cait!" Nora grinned, looking her lover over just in case. "I'm fine Darlin, now get that chip." Cait smirked.
"Help!" Came a shout behind a wall of glass. A woman was banging on said window with desperation on her face. Cait placed a hand on her hip as Nora went to check on the terminal. "The password is in that red box under the stairs!" The woman yelled. Cait walked over and searched the tool box. "Got it." Cait smirked as she walked back, handing it over. "Alright." Nora unlocked the door, and turned on the near by elevator. "Thank you so much!" The woman beamed. "Now get out of here. They might send another one for you." Cait spat. She was the first to ride the elevator. The other two wanted to check behind the large metal door in the back of the room.
"Oh wow! Now that's a sight." Cait looked off the edge of the balcony. "You can almost see Diamond City!" Nora added, pointing out into the distance. "I could stay up here for a while." The red head wrapped her arms around her treasure and hummed softly in content. Nora relaxed in those arms, tuning her pit boy to Diamond City radio. When the music filled the two's ears, they tried to comprehend what might happen next. "Dance with me?" Nora asked, braking the silence. "Dance? I don't know..."
"Come on sweetie, take my hand." Nora uncurled herself from Cait and held out her hand. Cait huffed but took it. Nora started off by pushing and pulling Cait's arms to the rhythm. As soon as Cait got the beat, Nora began to work on the footing. It didn't take long for Cait to begin expressing herself. She mainly stayed close, copying Nora and occasionally touching her. Hands joined as the song came to an end. Cait twirled Nora and dipped her with confidence. Allowing their eyes to meet. When the next song began, Cait lifted up her partner. Both faces where bright pink with big smiles. "I hope you'll dance with me again." Nora cooed happily. "I'd love to Treasure."
A gust of wind picked up, making Cait hold on tightly. "Smells like rain." She mumbled. "Rain?! No no! We need to get back to Sanctuary! Right now!" Nora took Cait's arm and pulled her hastily. "Alright, a rain race." As soon as the elevator hit the ground level Cait ran out playfully, "Well get a move on! Or I'll win." She took off running, and Nora laughed under her breath following behind.
"Oh thank goodness." Nora breathed, eyeing her covered contraption. "Sturges must of seen it comin." Cait smiled as the heavy rain pounded against her skin. "Oh gosh, Cait we need to get inside." Nora grabbed her love's hand and pulled her to the house.
Cogsworth was at the door when the two arrived. "Aw! Mum, It is so good to see you're alright, and lady Cait too of course."
"Sure Codsey, but do you really need to be here." Cait huffed before noticing Nora's glare. "Don't mind her Cogsworth, she doesn't like robots."
"Of course Mum, I will try to stay out of the way. Good night Mum, lady Cait." Cogsworth somewhat bowed his head before heading to the old wash room. "Be nice to Cogsworth Cait. He was the first friendly face I saw in this wasteland. I was surprised to see he was still loyal as ever." Nora began as she stripped off her armor. "I know... Robots just put me on edge. They can be tougher and smarter at times." Cait sighed, watching Nora fiddle with her zipper. "Here let me get that Treasure" She unzipped the suit with ease. "Thank you. I understand you're reasoning, but Cogsworth and I have known each other for over 200 years. If you decide to ever trust a robot, he should be the first." Nora turned and began to undo Cait's corset as said red head huffed. It made Nora chuckle. "Sure, I'll try to be a bit nicer."
"Thank you." Nora hummed, sneaking a kiss as the clothing hit the floor. "Now, let's get some rest. The Institute is only one day away."
"Yes lover, as long as the rain stops... Ow!" Cait mewed as Nora pinched her Cheek. "Don't jinx it!"
...
When the morning light hit Nora's eyes, she Immediately jumped out of bed. "Nora?" Cait yawned as she used her arm to block the sun. "Come on Cait, don't you want to see me off?"
Cait groaned before realizing what the other said, "See you off?! I'm comin too!" She followed behind, grabbed her dried clothes from Cogsworth. "You are not coming Cait. It's meant to be a stealth mission. A quick in and out." Nora explained, grabbing her armor. "Then let me do it." Cait grabbed Nora's wrist and pulled her close. "Cait, this is what I've been waiting for, and..."
"And what?" Cait asked with a stern face. "I don't want to loose you. The Institute clearly wants me alive, but if they found you..."
Cait's expression softened. "I get it, but I still don't like it. Just let me go too."
Nora loving cupped Cait's cheek with her free hand and pulled her in for a long passionate kiss. The air around them grew warmer, and so did there bodies. Nora gently pushed Cait's chest. "My love, I will return. Trust me." Nora's eyes sparkled as she pleaded, twisting Cait's gut to believe in the words. "I do trust you, but I don't trust the Institute."
Nora chuckled, "Neither do I, but I have to go. My baby could still be there."
The admiration Cait felt was powerful in its own right. Her parents never shown any love to her but her love, her Treasure, shared so much. Between her and this stranger of a child she barely even knows. This meant the world to Nora, so how could she stop her? Cait knew deep down that she had to go alone, but her heart ached. She watched Nora climb onto the platform.
"Nora! I love you. Please be careful. Please come back."
"I love you too Cait!" Was the last thing she heard before her life felt cold once more.
"Be safe Lover." Cait whispered under her breath. Ignoring the comforts of the Minutemen as they gathered around her.