Lillian woke early the next morning and carefully got out of the bed without waking MacCready. She used the old dresser as a barre to do her morning exercises, humming as she did so. When she finished, she took out a can of dog food and opened it as Canigou eagerly danced on the spot.
"If that's breakfast, I don't want any," MacCready yawned, sitting up.
"It's for the dog,"she said, "I have brahmin steaks for us."
"That's more like it."
"Oh, and here," she tossed the bag of caps Hancock had paid them to MacCready.
"Isn't this the whole amount?" he asked.
"Yeah, I didn't do anything, really," she said, "So I'd say you earned the lot."
"Nah, we agreed. 65/35 split," he dumped the caps out on the bed and divided them up.
After they ate, Lillian put her boots and jacket on. "Where else could we get paying work around here?"
"Let's go talk to Daisy. She's one of the few trustworthy people around here. If she doesn't have anything, she might know someone who does."
"MacCready!" Daisy greeted as they headed into her shop. "Thought you were avoiding me."
"How could I avoid such a cute face like yours?" MacCready smiled at her. Daisy laughed and shook her head.
"You wouldn't happen to have any work, do you?" Lillian asked.
"I do, actually," she said wistfully, "If you could clear out the old library, I'd appreciate it. Call me sentimental, but the thought of super mutants taking over the place makes me sick. And if you could return this book." She handed an old book to Lillian. "It's slightly overdue, but I don't think I'll be fined for it," she chuckled.
"Sure thing, Daisy," said MacCready.
Lillian put the book in her pack and they headed out of Goodneighbor.
"Super mutants? I don't know if I can do that," she said.
"You're not thinking of talking to them, are you?" MacCready joked.
"No, it's just... I've never come across any before."
"Oh, okay," he suddenly stopped. "Shh, there's one just around the corner there. Big green thing sitting down? Take him out. I got you covered."
"Are you sure?" she whispered, taking out her pistol. MacCready nods, readying his rifle. She aimed at the back of the super mutant's head and fired. The impact knocked the mutant forward. He stood up, wondering where the shot had come from. Lillian fired her gun again and this time killed him.
"Good job," MacCready said quietly, "Just hold on a moment, see if any others show up." After a few minutes, he was satisfied there weren't any other mutants around and went over to inspect the dead one.
"Ugh, it smells so bad," Lillian wrinkled her nose in disgust. "I don't know which is worse, this or the Pickman place."
"Yeah, they're not all that concerned about keeping clean," he said, kneeling down by the mutant. Canigou trotted over, sniffed at the dead super mutant, then lifted his leg over it.
"Thanks, boy," Lillian snorted with laughter, "it smells better already." Canigou woofed proudly when he finished.
MacCready picked up a stick and drew a crude map in the dirt. "Okay, so I think the library is over here, but we should go around this way."
"It's faster to go that way, past the Common," Lillian pointed.
"Yeah, no. No one goes to the Common unless they like getting killed."
"Why, what's there?" She looked at the map Scribe Haylen had given her. The Boston Common was marked with a large X and a question mark.
"No one knows," MacCready shrugged. "But people who go there don't come back and, personally, I don't really want to find out."
"Damn," Lillian cursed, "It was so nice before. Okay then, we'll detour around."
She followed MacCready to the library, distracted by the ruins of the city which had once been so full of life. At least the library seemed to still be standing and she wondered if the books inside were still there. The main entrance doors were locked so she led the way around to the side door. She tried the door and was interrupted by the building's automated intercom.
"Welcome to the Boston Public Library. The library is currently closed. Only employees and those with a scheduled appointment may enter. All other guests are invited to return during normal business hours."
"Oh, um, I had an appointment," Lillian said into the intercom, shrugging at MacCready.
"I'm sorry, but there are no appointments scheduled for today."
"Okay then. I work here, let me in," she said more confidently.
"Please provide your six-digit employee ID number."
"Shit, okay. One, two, three, four, five... six?"
"Welcome, Mr. Mayor. Please enjoy your visit."
"Goddamn, I wonder if that code works everywhere," Lillian smiled as she opened the now unlocked door.
They went in and saw the first study room in disarray, as she expected. She returned Daisy's book to the book return kiosk and retrieved the return tokens. She wasn't sure what she was going to do with them, but it was a nice souvenir of long ago. There were only some Protectrons and turrets around, but no super mutants. Perhaps the building's security had already taken care of them. She no sooner had finished thinking that, when the Protectrons down the hallway started shooting.
MacCready waved at her to get down and she hid behind one of the shelves across from him. Canigou crouched against her, growling. MacCready looked around from his hiding spot, then quickly aimed and fired down the hallway. Lillian peeked and saw a number of super mutants plus mutant hounds hurtling down the hallway. She fired her pistol at the green monsters while trying to keep Canigou from attacking. If those mutant hounds got hold of her dog... she didn't want to think of it.
Her pistol clicked, indicating she had to reload. But she had no more ammo. She swore loudly and slammed her pistol on the floor. Then she remembered she still had Paladin Danse's laser rifle strapped to her backpack. She quickly removed it, loaded it, and aimed. The first super mutant disintegrated when it was hit by the laser, the second merely staggered before being brought down by MacCready. A few more mutants were added to the growing pile of corpses.
"Is that it?" Lillian asked when it had gone silent.
"I don't know," MacCready looked down the hallway but saw no more super mutants, "I think-" he was then interrupted by more gunfire further inside the library. "Dammit."
They rushed down the hall and around the corner in time to see a Protectron explode at the top of the stairs. It seemed that the super mutants were taking the subway entrance to get in. MacCready grabbed the back of Lillian's coat and pulled her back.
"Hold up," he reached into his pocket and took out a grenade.
"You've had that this whole time?" she hissed at him, "What if it exploded in there?"
"Then we'd be dead, but we're not," he retorted. He pulled the pin then lobbed the grenade down the stairs. He quickly pulled another grenade from his pocket, pulled the pin, counted quietly to himself, then threw it down the stairs. There were two explosions one right after the other, followed by the sound of the mutants groaning in pain.
Lillian followed MacCready to the top of the stairs to see bits of super mutant bodies flung all over. A few of the mutants were still alive, but barely. MacCready shot them dead and looted the bodies.
"Jesus." Lillian approached the super mutant bodies. "To think, the worst people you met in libraries in my time were horny homeless guys."
"Heh, which was easier to deal with?" MacCready elbowed her in jest.
"Well, the library had more security back then, and not just robots." She looked around and sighed. "Shame, it was nice coming here. When I was studying for my law degree, I pretty much lived in libraries."
"So you were a, uh, what do you call it," MacCready snapped his fingers, trying to think of the word he was looking for.
"A lawyer."
"That's it!" He snapped and pointed at her. "So that's what you did? Defend people when they committed crimes and all that?"
"Never got that far," Lillian picked up a scorched book and flipped through the pages carefully, "I got my degree, then I got pregnant. Decided to wait until after I had the baby to start work. The weekend before I was to start, the bombs dropped. And I focused on property law, not criminal law. Though, you could argue there's not much difference. But I wouldn't have dealt with murders or things like that."
"Damn. Sounds boring," MacCready scrunched his face.
"Ha, I guess it would be, but I wanted to try to get the Boston Opera House out of the hands of the damn army," Lillian said bitterly. "They took it over, citing the funding should be deferred to them to help with the war effort. So many of us lost our jobs and positions. I was lucky that I had a backup plan, but others didn't."
"Huh." MacCready looked around. "So, wanna look around a bit?"
"Sure." Lillian and Canigou wandered to the study room while MacCready headed elsewhere. She ran her fingers lightly across the burnt, brittle spines of books on the shelves.
"So, come here often?"
Lillian looked up to see the man she accidentally shot at the military training yard. Nate, or something.
"I'm very busy," she returned her gaze to her notes.
"I see," he sat down across from her, "What are you studying?"
"Do you mind?" she asked, annoyed.
"Am I not allowed to ask a simple question?"
"I don't like to be bothered."
"I mean, you DID shoot me in the butt," he said, "I'm surprised I can even sit down right now."
Lillian glared back at him as he grinned at her. "I'm studying law. There, question answered."
"Can I ask another question?"
"You just did."
"Damn, how many questions can I ask?"
"Three. And that one is the third question you've asked, so you can leave now."
"Actually, I've asked five questions so far. You're a terrible lawyer."
"Go. Away."
"Wanna go out for coffee sometime? Or a beer? Or a vat of acid, if you prefer?"
"With you? No!"
"Please?"
"No."
"Do I need to mention how sore my butt is? I mean, it's so bruised it may never be the same again."
"Are you trying to guilt trip me into a date?"
"Is it working?"
Lillian sighed. "Tell you what. One coffee, after the library closes at 7. Then I never want to see you again."
"Deal. See you at 7." Nate grinned, stood up and left. Lillian rolled her eyes before returning to her work.
"Dammit, Nate, why'd you have to be so charming?" she said to herself. She left to find MacCready in the children's section. He quickly shoved a book into his pack when he noticed her.
"Someone's been looking for books for their, uh, kid," he stammered.
"Wanna head back?" Lillian asked. He nodded. She took one more look around and followed MacCready out with Canigou trotting beside her. They started back to Goodneighbor in silence, keeping their eyes and ears open for trouble. Luckily there was none and they returned to Daisy with the good news.
"Oh, one more thing, Daisy," MacCready took out the book from his pack, "Make sure this gets to him? Oh, and this too." He shoved an envelope with the book to Daisy.
"Of course!"
"Thanks, doll," MacCready smiled at her, then turned to Lillian. "Beer?"
"Oh god, yes," Lillian led the way to the Third Rail. They each bought a beer from Charlie and headed back to the VIP room. "So. MacCready." She sat down on the sofa. "What's your story?"
"Not much to tell," he sat in a chair across from her, "Grew up in the Capital Wasteland, learned to use a rifle, ended up here."
"Oh, come on, there's more to it then that, I'm sure."
"Well, you told me about yourself, so I guess it's only fair. I grew up in a place called Little Lamplight. All kids. No adults were allowed, we couldn't trust them. Once you were old enough, you left."
"Only kids? How did you survive?"
"Oh, we managed. Everyone did their share. A caravan stopped by every so often so we could trade for things we needed, but they weren't allowed in." He paused and laughed. "I was even mayor for a few years, can you believe that?"
"Mayor MacCready. Has a good ring to it. Ever consider taking it up again?"
"Ha, nah. It was good while it lasted, but I moved on. When I was old enough, I left. Did some mercenary work. Made the mistake of joining the Gunners, but I left."
"The Gunners?"
"Remember those two ass- erm, jerks that were in here when you met me? They're from the Gunners. They're a mercenary group, got a rep for being crazy and so tightly-wound you'd think they were a cult or something."
"How did you even join them?"
"Seemed like a good idea at the time. But now that I've left them for good, they keep driving off clients and I need all the caps I can get."
"Well, caps aren't everything."
"Says you who needs them for a detective."
"Oh yeah," Lillian sat back, "But why do you need so many caps?"
"Well, I thought maybe I could just buy off Winlock and Barnes and they'd just leave me alone."
"You're joking, right? I wouldn't trust them any more than I would trust a super mutant to take a shower."
"Yeah, I'm with you on that. Those two always have an army of Gunners with them. They'd probably just take the caps then put a bullet in my head. But I suppose... Nah, never mind."
"What?"
"Well, suppose you and I paid them a surprise visit. Take them out before they realise what's going on."
"I don't know..." Lillian said sceptically, "I mean, I'm not really comfortable with shooting people."
"You're going to have to eventually. And why not start with the Gunners? It's not like they're out there making the world a better place."
"I guess. It's just.." she sighed, "I'm still getting used to all this."
"How about this, we go pick up a sniper rifle for you from Kleo's and I'll teach you how to shoot moving targets."
"What kind of moving targets?" Lillian narrowed her eyes at him.
"I dunno, bloatflies, bloodbugs, radroaches, whatever creature that moves. We can find some feral ghouls too." He looked at her sceptical face. "Don't worry, I've got your back."
"Okay. Tomorrow?"
"Sounds good. Cheers, partner," He lifted his beer bottle to her as she lifted hers back.
The next morning, Lillian woke up to MacCready holding her tightly from behind. She elbowed him lightly.
"Hey, wake up," she said.
"Mmmf," he murmured into the back of her head.
She elbowed him harder. "Get off me!"
He tightened his hold and she felt his lips on the back of her neck.
"I swear to god, if that's not your gun poking me in the ass, I'm going to cut it off!" she yelled, startling MacCready awake.
"Wha- OH! Shi- Sorry!" He scrambled off the bed and fell to the floor.
"Well. Good morning to you too," Lillian sat up. "As much as I'd like to get to know you better, I'd prefer other ways to do it."
"Sorry, I didn't mean- um, excuse me," he rushed out of the room and presumably to the common bathroom down the hall. Lillian smirked to herself and started stretching. By the time MacCready returned, he was still flushed and she was in the middle of her morning barre exercises.
"All good now?" she asked, bending into grand plié.
"Yeah," he replied, sitting down on the sofa, "All good."
"Good," she rose back to standing, "Don't worry, no harm done. Sorry for yelling at you."
"So, um, you still want to learn to shoot today?"
"Of course," repeating the grand plié, "I need another fifteen minutes or so, then we can have a bite to eat, and then head out."
"Sure thing." He watched her continue until she was finished.
After breakfast - just a tin of beans each - they packed up and headed down to Kleo's.
"Well, hello," the assaultron greeted them, "Everything here is guaranteed to injure, maim, or kill at your discretion. Except me. I only kill when I want to."
"Heya," MacCready greeted her, "Got any decent sniper rifles in?"
"Of course," Kleo retrieved a rifle and handed it to MacCready to inspect.
"So , you're an assaultron?" Lillian asked unsurely.
"That's what my makers call me. But as far as I'm concerned, I'm a woman, baby. And I run this store selling very large guns."
"Oh! Well... you certainly look like a woman," said Lillian.
"So, are we in business?" Kleo turned to MacCready.
"Looks good," he turned to Lillian who looked back at him for a moment. "Uh, you gonna pay her?"
"What? Oh, right," Lillian took off her backpack to retrieve her sack of caps, "Sorry, still getting used to this. Um, how much?"
"180 caps," said Kleo.
"Okay, oh, and ammo, we need ammo for it too," Lillian said as she started counting out the caps.
"Just one box, Kleo, I have plenty for both us," MacCready said.
"200 caps even."
Lillian paid and picked up the rifle. It was heavier than she anticipated, but looked forward to shooting it. She slung it over her shoulder and followed MacCready out of Goodneighbor.
"So where are we going?" she asked.
"Well, Winlock and Barnes are at the Mass Pike Interchange - you know where that is, right?" Lillian nodded. "So I figure we should head that way. Stop in at Diamond City on the way to pick up anything else we need, rest, and then head outside the city."
"Sounds good," Lillian agreed, "Maybe I can find out more about that detective there. See if I have enough caps already."
They retraced their steps to the Boston Public Library without incident, and continued on towards the west end of the city. They reached the old ball park and were greeted by a guard wearing the leather pads of a baseball catcher.
"You looking for Diamond City? Just follow the signs," he pointed.
"Hold on, Diamond City is Fenway Park?" Lillian asked.
"I guess?" MacCready shrugged.
"Well this I gotta see," she hurried to the main gate to find it completely shut. A woman in a red leather coat and newsboy cap was talking into a nearby intercom.
"Come on, Danny, open the door!"
"I'm sorry, but Mayor McDonough's really steamed, Piper," the intercom buzzed, "Sayin' that article you wrote was all lies. The whole city's in a tizzy."
"You open this game right now, Danny Sullivan!" the woman, presumably named Piper, yelled, "I live here! You can't just lock me out!"
"I got orders not to let you in, Piper, I'm sorry," the voice on the intercom sounded apologetic. "I'm just doing job."
"Ooo, just doing your job? Protecting Diamond City means keeping me out, is that it?" Piper said sarcastically, "'Oh, look, it's the scary reporter! Boo!'" She paused a moment to wait for a reply, but there's nothing. "Open uuuuup!" Piper sighed angrily and turned to see Lillian and MacCready watching her.
"Hey, you," she whispered loudly, "You want into Diamond City, right?"
"Uh, yeah," said Lillian.
"Play along," she whispered, then started talking normally. "What was that? You said you're a trader up from Quincy? You have enough supplies to keep the general store stocked for a whole month?"
"Wait, I never-" Lillian started to say, but Piper hushed her quickly.
"You hear that, Danny?" Piper turned back to the intercom, "You hear that, Danny? You gonna open the gate and let us in, or are you going to be the one to tell crazy Myrna about losing out on all this supply?"
"Geez, alright," the voice exasperated, "No need to make it personal, Piper. Give me a minute."
The huge green gate creaked and groaned as it was lifted up. Lillian took a moment to remember how it used to be so quiet.
"Better head inside quick before ol' Danny catches on to the bluff," Piper said to them.
"Sounds good, let's go," Lillian said, as she and MacCready headed through the open gate. A portly man in a grey suit was pacing and barely addressed them. She noticed a guard over by the old ticket counter watching nervously and she approached him.
"So, you're that trader Piper was talking about?" he asked suspiciously, "Something tells me she's pulled the wool over my eyes again, am I right?"
"Sorry, it all just happened so fast," Lillian apologised.
"Well, you're not the first one Piper pulled into a heap of trouble they weren't ready for," he sighed.
"Wait, are we in trouble?" Lillian asked.
"What? No! I mean, not you, I don't think," Danny looked over at the man in the grey suit and Piper who were arguing, "No, you're fine. I'm sure. I mean, it's Piper the one who's in trouble."
"What did she do?"
"Wrote a slanderous article about the mayor," he pointed at the man then lowered his voice, "Implied that Mayor McDonough is a synth."
"No shi- I mean, no way," said MacCready.
"Well, I mean, you can't believe everything you read, right?" said Danny.
"Very true, what evidence does Piper provide that he's a synth?" Lillian asked.
"Not much, really. You can find a copy of her paper inside. Anyway, welcome to Diamond City and all that."
Lillian and MacCready turned towards Piper and Mayor McDonough who were still arguing loudly. They were about to pass by and go inside until Piper noticed them.
"Hey, why don't we ask the newcomer?" Piper said angrily, "You support the news? 'Cause the mayor's threatening to throw free speech in the dumpster."
"Always believed in freedom of the press," Lillian replied.
"That's a pretty outdated concept, if you ask me," MacCready added, "Who even cares anymore?"
"Pfft," Piper brushed him off.
"Oh, I didn't mean to bring you into this, miss," Mayor McDonough said, "No, no, no, you look like Diamond City material."
"Um, thanks? I guess," Lillian raised her eyebrow.
"Welcome to the great green jewel of the Commonwealth," McDonough said theatrically, "Safe, happy. A fine place to come, spend your money, settle down. Don't let this muckraker tell you otherwise, alright?" He glared at Piper.
"Well I'm sure it's very nice," said Lillian.
"Oh yeah, greatest house of cards in the Commonwealth until the wind blows," Piper rolled her eyes.
McDonough cleared his throat. "Now, was there anything particular you came to our city for?"
"Oh, just supplies and a place to rest," said Lillian, "and also to talk to the detective you have here."
"Ah, Nick Valentine," said McDonough, "Haven't seen him in a little while, probably out working a case, but I'm sure he'll return soon and charge a reasonable fee."
"Yeah, because Diamond City Security can't be bothered," Piper said.
"Well, I don't have time for any more questions, I'm a busy man," McDonough turned away from them, "Enjoy your stay in our fair city!"
"Nice man," MacCready snorted.
"About as nice as eating nails for breakfast," said Piper. "So what do you want ol' Nicky for?"
Lillian paused a moment, wondering if she should tell Piper. "I'm looking for my baby boy. He's missing, and I don't even know where to start."
"Your son is missing? I'm so sorry," Piper sounded sympathetic, "Yeah, Nick's usually good at finding missing people, providing they weren't taken by the Institute. Unfortunately people go missing all the time, but he's the only one who actually tries to do something about it. The mayor doesn't allow any of the security to help."
"Why's that?" asked Lillian.
"Oh, they're always 'too busy' or 'don't have time'," Piper sighed, annoyed, "Look, I gotta go get settled in, but, uh, stop by my office later. I have an idea for an article that you would be perfect for." Piper walked past them and up the steps into the stadium.
"After you," MacCready stretched his arm out towards the steps to let Lillian go ahead.