"You're sure you want to come with me? I know you're busy." Renee leaned on the corner between the kitchen and living room as she watched Curie pack a bag on the kitchen table.
"It 'as been some time since I've been out. I think it would be do me some good." Curie held up a Stimpak to the light and hummed before putting it in a side pocket. "I'm bringing plenty of Stimpaks for you."
Renee rolled her eyes with a smile. "I get attacked by a Mirelurk once…"
"You 'ave returned to me more zhan once with injuries, I would be remiss to follow you without proper supplies." Curie arched an eyebrow.
"Okay, point taken."
Though the Stimpaks Curie used on her wound from the Mirelurk weren't as effective as the Synth would've liked, Renee was just happy it cleared up the injury within a week and left a thin scar that would fade in time. And just in time, too; Nate asked her to check in on a settlement called Sunshine Tidings. Something about them not sending him a message in a while. She wasn't expecting Curie to want to tag along, however.
"Don't overload yourself." Renee watched Curie stick at least two spare outfits in the bag next. "We'll be gone for like three days, max."
"It never hurts to be prepared." Curie put in a blanket last, tucking it over her things. She pulled the drawstring on the bag tight and slung it over her shoulder. "Zhere."
Renee honestly expected her to try to leave the city in her usual lab coat and slacks, but instead she was surprised to see Curie actually did have traveling gear. More gifts from Nate, of course. The brilliant white polymer outfit looked like it hadn't ever seen combat. "You know how to fire that thing, right?" Renee pointed to the laser rifle also strapped to Curie's back.
"But of course! Though, I do prefer to fight with my hands." Curie clenched her fists. "I am…much stronger than I look."
Well, now Renee was imagining Curie getting into a bar fight. The image was comical and she smirked. "That's surprising."
"I believe G5-19 must 'ave also preferred martial arts. It feels more natural to me zhan shooting a gun." Curie shifted her bag on her shoulder with a smile. "But I do not think I will 'ave to do much fighting, hm?"
"That's what you've got me for. I'll keep you safe." Renee pushed off the wall with her shoulders and put her hands on her hips. "Ready to go?"
"I am." Curie fell in step with her as they left the apartment.
Renee flicked down her sunglasses when they stepped outside and put her hands in her pockets. "I have to stop by the Publick first to get that letter from Nate, and then we can head out."
"I 'ave to admit, I'm excited. I 'aven't really left Diamond City since I arrived." Curie grinned up at her.
"Well, you aren't missing much. Unless you really get the urge to run for your life."
Curie huffed and pouted. "Hmph. I do not recall zhe Commonwealth being zhat dangerous. Surely zhere is beauty as well? Or do you not enjoy traveling?"
"There is. And I like traveling well enough. But I really like being safe and not having to worry about getting shot." Renee led them over to the newspaper office and stopped outside. "Hey, is Nate in?"
Nat, Piper's younger sister and the resident paper girl, looked down at them. "Yeah, he's here. Oh, you're, uh… Dr. Collins, right?" She looked at Curie.
"I am." Curie gave her a small wave. "You must be Mademoiselle Wright."
"Nat. My name's Nat."
"That's short for something, I hope." Renee crossed her arms.
Nat gave a quick sigh as she stepped down from the overturned crate. "It's short for Natalie."
"Good. I'd hope your parents wouldn't actually name you Nat." Renee chuckled awkwardly at the girl's glare. "Just, uh, let Piper and Nate know we're here, will ya?"
Nat said nothing, but she disappeared into the office.
Curie hummed. "I think it's a cute name."
"I've never been a fan of nicknames." Renee snorted and rolled her eyes. "My family insists on calling me 'Ren' for some reason."
"Oh, but zhat's cute too!"
"It isn't." Renee frowned, looking off to the side.
"What if I called you zhat?"
Renee blinked at her. She rubbed the back of her neck. "Well… I guess I wouldn't mind. But I'd really prefer you just call me by my name." She frowned deeper. "As long as you don't start calling me by my full name like my mom always did when she was pissed at me."
Curie's hazel eyes were wide and curious. "Oh?" She tilted her head.
"Yeah, whenever she was yelling at me it was always Renee Elizabeth Jones, why didn't you wash the dishes? or Renee Elizabeth Jones, stop pestering your sisters!" Renee smiled weakly at the memories. "But when she was mad at Dad, she'd just call him by his middle name, which was honestly always entertaining."
"What is it?"
"Oh, his name's—"
The door opened again and Nate strode out, followed by the Wright sisters. "Sorry about that." He held out a package. "Thanks for doing this for me."
"No problem." Renee glanced beyond him to see Nat and Piper pointedly not looking at each other. "Is there an issue?"
"No, there isn't." Piper shot her younger sister a glare.
"Tch." Nat rolled her eyes.
"This conversation isn't over, Nat." Piper crossed her arms.
Nat jumped back on her crate. "Whatever."
"Nat, listen to your sister." Nate sighed and looked back at Renee and Curie. His eyebrows rose. "Oh, Curie. You're going with her?"
Curie nodded and gripped the strap to her bag. "I am. I think some time away from zhe lab will be good for me."
He nodded with a faint smile. "I'm glad the uniform fits. Wasn't sure what size you were when I grabbed it."
Renee tried to ignore Curie's beaming grin and instead turned to Nat. "Sisters are the worst, aren't they?"
"No kidding." Nat looked back at Piper and stuck her tongue out.
"I have two older sisters." Renee held up two fingers.
Nat grinned. "Just one is enough for me."
"Natalie…" Piper's voice took on a warning tone.
"They can be a real drag, but I know they were just looking out for me. Like I'm sure Piper does for you." Renee glanced between them.
Nate cleared his throat. "Renee, just deliver that package and they'll handle the rest. I appreciate it." He gazed down at Curie. "And keep Curie safe."
"You won't have to worry about that." Renee turned to go. "We'll be back in a few days."
Curie waved as they walked off, still smiling. She took a deep breath as they walked down the steps toward the Gate. "It feels good to travel again. Oh! And I'll be able to get ingredients for my research as well! Less for you to do, hm?"
"With as quickly as you go through those experiments of yours, I doubt they'll last long." Renee chuckled.
"We shall see." Curie inclined her head with a playful smirk.
True to Renee's luck, things didn't go as planned.
They encountered little resistance on the way to Sunshine Tidings, but shortly after their arrival, a group of Raiders attacked. The package from Nate barely left her hands before the shooting started. Renee crouched by one of the shacks, struggling to reload a new magazine into her rifle. "Every damn time…" She grumbled. It was getting to the point where she couldn't even go outside without running into trouble.
Across the way, she saw Curie shooting with her laser rifle. The violet beams disappeared in the air shortly after each discharge, but based on the pained grunts from Raiders, she was clearly hitting some of her marks. "Why must zhey always choose violence?" She yelled, to no one in particular.
"They're Raiders, it's in the name!" Renee held up the sights to her eye and took aim at a man running toward them. She centered on his chest and pulled the trigger. There was a faint click but nothing came out. "Oh for fuck's sake!" Renee slammed the heel of her palm against her gun. "Damn it!"
Jammed. Of fucking course.
A short scream nearby took her attention and she saw a Settler get tossed to the side by a woman with an aluminum bat wrapped in barbed wire. She winced. Based on the blood, the Settler was going to have a bad time of it.
Renee slung her rifle on her shoulder and reached for her knife. She really didn't want to risk going toe-to-toe with a Raider, but it seemed she had little choice. As she waited for an opportunity to strike, she spotted a pistol, dropped in the dirt. Her eyes narrowed. Pistols weren't her favorite, but it'd do.
She scrambled for the gun, rolling on the ground to avoid the gunfire. There were a few ten-millimeter rounds still in the magazine. It would have to be enough.
"Gotcha now, bitch!" The Raider she was previously aiming for stood just before her. He raised a pipe revolver at her head.
"Renee!"
Renee pulled back on the trigger without another thought just as she saw something white come between them. "Curie—!"
She could only watch, helpless, as the bullet punched straight through Curie's shoulder. Curie stumbled to her knees and then to the ground, one hand wrapped around her injured arm. Blood stained her uniform, pooling over the white and blue vest she wore.
Someone else took out the Raider and he fell dead with a dull thud.
Renee sat back on her heels in shock. The pistol clattered to the ground, the muzzle still smoking. Her brain finally caught up with her and she rushed to the woman's side, carefully turning her onto her back. She eased one arm under Curie. "Why would you…" She clenched her jaw. "What were you thinking?!"
Curie's breathing was shallow, rapid. She gazed up at Renee. "I… I was trying…" Her hazel eyes were glossy with pain and she trailed in a weak moan.
Renee could see blood splatter over Curie's neck from the exit wound. She blinked back tears at the sight. She…shot Curie. Accidently. But the fact remained she shot Curie. She took a deep breath and shifted her other arm beneath Curie's knees. "I'm gonna try to pick you up, okay? No promises. I might drop you. I mean, I'm gonna try not to. I'm not—I'm not super strong, but I gotta get you out of here."
Curie gave a nod.
To Renee's surprise, Curie was lighter than she appeared. She stood with a grunt and rushed to duck inside one of the shacks as the firefight dwindled. "Just hold on to me."
Curie's head fell against her shoulder and she gazed down at the woman. It would almost be romantic if she wasn't bleeding all over her. Because Renee shot her. She shoved that thought from her mind. She could beat herself up over it later, but for now the important part was making sure nothing else happened to the Synth. She pressed against the shack wall and tried to watch for any Raiders.
She felt a weak tug on her shirt—a brand-new one, from Gene—and looked down. "I think they're almost gone. Or dead. I don't know."
Curie's brow furrowed and she whimpered. "I think I'm…"
Renee felt her go limp. She wasn't dead, no; but she definitely fainted. Renee slumped down the shack wall as she felt her knees threaten to give out, Curie still nestled safely in her arms.
It was a beautiful sunny day. And she shot Curie.