James woke up in his bed. He overslept. It was day already. He groaned and leaned out of his bed. He stumbled into his makeshift bathrooms and uncapped a roll of toothpaste. He squeezed it and found that it was empty. He tossed it into the metal bucket he used for trash and opened the cabinet under the sink. He took out a fresh one and uncapped it. How are there still these things after 200 years? What the hell did they put in these? He wondered as he began to brush his teeth. He turned the knob on the faucet and was glad to see water come out. Lately, he'd been working with Sturges on hooking up the purifier to the pipe system in place at Sanctuary. Most of the pipes were corroded after 200 years of no maintenance, but James managed to get enough for a few houses. His was the first to test their system. He checked his pip-boy as he brushed. Geiger Counter didn't go off and his rad count didn't change. James spat into the sink and smiled into the mirror. He was satisfied. He walked out into the living where Marie read a book with Codsworth.

"What's that word?" she asked the robot butler.

"I cannot say. You need to sound it out for you to be able to learn adequately how to read." Codsworth scolded.

"Fine." Marie pouted. James smirked as he made his way into the kitchen area. He pulled a slab of yao guai meat from the freezer and tossed it into the sink to thaw.

"Really, sir. Steak this early in the morning?" Codsworth asked.

"It's for later, Codsworth. I'm heading out today."

"Where to, if I may ask?"

"Place called Oberland station. High time I get going on what I was supposed to do."

"What are you supposed to do here, sir?"

"Don't worry about it, Codsworth."

"Understood, sir. I do hope you will have a successful journey. When will you be returning to us?"

"Not sure yet. I guess it'll depend on how far I have to go finish my quest." James began to think of the lengths his own father had to travel to successfully finish Project Purity. Will it also take that long for him?

"Where are you headed?"

"First, I headed south to meet Preston at some place called Starlight Drive-in. Then from there, I'm headed straight for a place called Oberland Station where I'll meet my contact. He should still be there."

"How long has he been waiting?"

"Not sure. I was supposed to meet with him weeks ago and he's a caravan trader so… I guess I don't know."

"And why have you stayed so long without finding your contact? Especially if your mission's success depends on how quickly you are able to travel throughout this wasteland."

"Well, I met Preston, Sturges, and all kinds of people. I've come to see this place as a kind of home while I'm here."

"Hmm. And Marie?"

"I've already made arrangements for her care. Katherine and a few of the other settlers will all keep an eye for her while I'm gone."

"I see. And what of her education ,sir? There are only the few you carry with you."

"Well, if I find any more while I'm traveling I'll be sure to send them to you via trade caravan, Codsworth."

"Understood, sir. I'm so glad you've entrusted this task to me. I've hardly had anything to clean or do ever since the settlement reached twenty settlers last week."

"Yeah, it's pretty exciting. I'd like for this place to grow as big as Megaton someday." James thought of his metallic home in the Wasteland. He hadn't been there since he first returned to the Capital Wasteland. What a waste of time. He thought. He looked out the window where he could see Preston and Sturges bring in an old repaired Radiation Long television set into Katherine's house. The positioned against the wall and exited the building quickly. They all wanted it to be surprise to Katherine when she came back from helping out some settlement called Abernathy Farms.

"Megaton, sir?" Codsworth's voice brought James back to reality.

"Hmm? Oh it's just where I came from."

"Interesting. If it's all the same to you, I think Mistress Katherine should have a say in your vision to grow this community."

"Really? Why?"

"Well, in a way, she's been living here much longer than any of you. I just think it'd be respectful to honor your elders."

"Elders" James echoed the word. He'd never thought of it until now. She really was 200 years older than James. James cringed. He didn't want to think about it.

James packed away the Yao Guai meat into a leather bag and tied it tight. He threw into his backpack and got ready to go. He packed as much Amina's he could carry and tossed in a few prewar snacks in as well. He was ready to go.

"Hey everybody, look who's back!" Preston's voice rang out. The whole settlement cheered. James stepped outside and leaned against the doorframe. Coming from the West, Katherine, with Dogmeat trailing behind her came triumphantly with a new crowd of settlers.

"You can set your stuff down there. Adam will clear a house for you all to live in." Katherine said as she dropped her pack down the ground next to the workbench. She looked up at James. He looked down at her.

"Milady." James nodded.

"Milord" Katherine curtsied.

"When are you headed out again?" James asked. Katherine shrugged.

"Not sure, what about you?"

"Gonna head out right now actually. Just waiting to say goodbye."

"Okay."

Silence. Katherine looked down at her toes, as if she had developed a keen interest with her vault issued boots. She began to walk away. James's eyes followed as she walked towards her house. Should I? he wondered.

"Hey." He called after her. Halfway to her house, in the middle of the street, she turned around and brushed a lock of hair from her eyes. He tried to say something, the words didn't come out.

"Can I come with you?" she whispered. He didn't hear her. She turned back and walked to her house. His eyes followed her. Then her brown door closed.