James stumbled into the house, alone. It was night now. His armor torn and shredded. Pieces threw sparks that lit the pitch black room for moments at a time. Oil leaked from where there once used to be an arm on the armor. James could hardly see from the viewports of his mangled helmet. A light switched on and Piper turned in her chair, aiming a sawed off shotgun at James. She quickly realized it was James who had returned from a mission and rushed to help him.
"Oh my God, James!" Piper exclaimed. "What happened?" James opened his mouth, but no words came out. He wanted to explain his failure. How everything that happened was his fault. But no words came to mind. Just feelings. His mind was muddied by conflicting emotions, especially confusion. After five minutes of Piper's futile attempts to pry the mangled X-02 armor off of James, James knew what to say.
"You should see the other guy."
Katherine followed Father as he led her what he described as a school within the institute. She looked around and scrutinized the Institute's pristine white walls. The architecture was amazing showing real thought of expressing the elegance of the institution. She marveled at its subtle beauty, especially in the way that it glows with a special aura at night. They passed the central elevator and a low fog permeated the ground level. This ambience impressed Katherine as she walked. Father looked back every once in a while only to resume looking forward with a small smile on his lips. Likely happy that his life's work has impressed his mother.
"We're here." He said curtly, leading Katherine to a window. Katherine walked up and pressed her hands against the glass. Almost as if to support her when she saw countless children playing in the room. She quickly spotted Marie, running around and generally having fun with other kids. It was almost like back before the war. Katherine found it difficult to control her emotions, she teared up, pressed her hand against her mouth as she looked at Shaun. Shaun, her son, had aged so tremendously since she last saw him. He was 60 years old.
"It's just like-"
"Old times?" he asked carefully. "I'd hoped so. I've been… waiting for this moment for a long time."
"You waited?" Katherine asked and reached a hand out to her son but Shaun turned away. It was as if he felt uncomfortable or unworthy of the loving touch of his mother.
"The Institute took me and raised me. But I never had this, right from infancy I was being groomed to become Director of the Institute. This" Father gestured to all around the two of them, "is the fruit of my life's work. I never had time to family or love."
"I never wanted this life for you. I wanted so much more for you." Katherine began as images and countless alternate situations flooded her mind.
"But this is the life I have. I accept Mother. I am happy with what I had, despite lacking you and Father to experience life in the Institute with me."
"I was coming for you, Shaun."
"I know. But you didn't come in time. Regardless of past regrets and what you and I simply could not do, I have a request of you."
"Anything."
"Please sit."
"That's it?" Father chuckled softly as if lauding her simple response to his simple command.
"No. Just sit, please." Katherine complied and composed herself. Despite practically not knowing her own son she was still bonding with him the best she could. He grabbed hold of her hand and looked Katherine straight into her eyes. Nate's eyes, Katherine thought.
"I am dying."
James leaned back into the couch and felt the crown of his head touch the wall. Piper scurried about, tossing bits and scraps of metal away with Codsworth.
"I am so sorry to hear about your predicament, Mister James." Codsworth began. "But I do implore you, where is Miss Katherine?"
"I don't know. I think the Brotherhood has her."
"What a shame."
"You're telling me, buddy." James mumbled. A small whine came from beside James, and James looked down only to find Dogmeat, sitting in front of him, head hung low. James ruffled Dogmeat's head and sighed. "I know, I miss her too bud."
"So what's the plan?" Piper asked as she poured some bourbon into two glasses. She walked over and handed one to James. James grabbed it with a bandaged hand and nodded his thanks before drinking the beverage.
"I don't have a plan." James admitted. He reached for the bottle and poured himself another shot.
"Then what are you going to do?" Piper asked.
"No idea." James shrugged.
"What happened down in Quincy?" Piper asked, placing her drink down, untouched. James swirled the drink in the glass before downing it. Images of the Pride, Maxson, vertibirds, explosions flashed in his mind.
"Shit went down."
"Dammit, James. I'm a reporter I need details." James sighed. He tapped his earpiece.
"Gallows, bring him in."
"Yes, sir." James poured himself another shot. But placed the glass beside Piper's and began to drink from the bottle.
"What are you doing?" Piper asked. "This isn't the James I know. You're just giving up? Not going to try to think or talk your way out of this?" James raised a finger and pressed it against her lips, angering Piper further.
"I said I don't have a plan. Didn't say I'm giving up." James said and finished the bottle. There was a knock on the door. "Come in." The door opened and Paladin Danse, minus his power armor, walked in and took a seat in from of James. Gallows and Kodiak stood closely behind him. Gallows had one hand on his holster. Danse eyed him carefully.
"Paladin Danse. Always a pleasure." Piper said coldly as she glared at James.
"Piper." Danse nodded. He stared plainly at James. James grabbed his 10mm from the table and pointed it aimlessly at Danse.
"Paladin. Tell me what Maxson has done with Katherine. Or I'm going to kill you."