Chapter Eighteen: Cupid, Stupid & Valentine
"Come on, Boy. I'm not going to hurt you…" Nora soothed, crawling under her bed.
The cat spat at her from the farthest corner, his hackles rising all along his scrawny body. His crooked tail resembled a broken orange conifer and his golden eyes were narrowed into angry slits.
Nora hesitated, lowering her hand to the floorboards. She may have had no intention of harming the cat, but he clearly did not share the same sentiment. He began to growl, arching his back and she finally admitted defeat. She began to withdraw slowly, only for the cat to rush towards her, claws out.
Cursing, Nora raised one arm to protect her face and felt the claws rake her skin before the feral cat charged past her and into the room. She heard him race up the stairs towards the top floor and a few moments later the sound of light footsteps as Burke took off after him. She sighed heavily, letting her body go limp and her cheek press against the wood of the floor.
For a few moments she just lay there, her eyes closed as she focused on the stinging of the scratches and the chill of Nate's ring against her chest.
"Blue? The cat didn't kill ya, did he?"
Nora sighed quietly before heaving herself up and crawling the rest of the way out. Piper was standing behind her, looking concerned.
"It was a near thing." Nora deadpanned, raising her arm to show crimson rivulets running down her pale skin. "Reckon I need an amputation?"
Piper's shoulders relaxed slightly when Nora cracked her a smile she didn't really feel. She'd grown into quite the actress since waking up.
"That looks fatal!" Piper joked, watching as Nora rose and dusted off her skirts. "Want me to take down any last words?"
Nora closed her eyes and sighed heavily.
'I give up with that damn cat. Every time I-'
"Does this mean Grogcat can stay?" Burke called brightly from the landing above, before hurrying back down the stairs.
"Grogcat?" Nora's eyebrows rose slightly as he entered the room, chewing on the bubble gum Piper had given him earlier.
"He's named it now Blue! That means Grogcat can never go back into the wild!" Piper grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Nora rolled her eyes, but a genuine smile was beginning to pull at her lips.
"Why didn't you name it after a better hero, like The Silver Shroud?" She asked, leaning back against the wall. "You could have called it 'The Silver Meow-d!'"
"See, Burke, this is why I don't let her help me write articles." Piper said matter-of-factly, shaking her head. "She interviews like a dream, writes like a nightmare."
"That was a terrible name, ma'am." Burke added gravely. "Besides, The Silver Shroud's lame compared to Grognak. He only appears in The Unstoppables and doesn't have his own comic! Even Manta-Man has his own comic and he sucks!"
"He has a radio show!" Nora pouted, folding her arms.
"Sorry, Blue. You're not a real hero if you don't have your own comic book!" Piper was beginning to resemble a Cheshire cat with her ear-to-ear grin.
"I don't see Grognak fighting crime in the Commonwealth." Nora muttered under her breath.
There was a skittering of claws on wood and she turned in time to see a ginger and white blur streak through her room and disappear downstairs.
"Burke, if Grogcat breaks anything, he's out." She warned, prompting the boy to gasp and chase after the little monster.
"Well, looks like you've got your hands full." Piper smiled as she watched after them. "You okay?"
"Fine." Nora replied a beat too fast.
Piper glanced at her, but she was already stepping away from the wall and striding towards the stairs. She made it halfway down before Grogcat ran up, attacked her ankles and shot back down again, disappearing into the kitchen. Cursing, Nora glared down at her scratched legs, then up at Burke who had halted at the bottom of the stairs.
"I think he's hungry." He said sheepishly, when there came a loud crash from the kitchen. Burke's head snapped to the side then back to face her, his mouth hanging agape. "It's not broken!" He cried, ducking around the corner.
Nora sighed before warily descending the rest of the way. When the feral moggy didn't launch another assault, she moved towards the living room area with Piper trailing behind.
She froze in place.
"Burke!" She called, stalking across the room to where an assortment of items had been knocked onto the floor, including the Golden Grasshopper Nick had gifted to her when she had helped him to close a case.
"He didn't mean it!" Burke cried as he entered the room. "He's just excited!"
"I think Cait used that same excuse when she broke one of your cabinets." Piper commented, tilting her head and smirking. "You let her off the hook. No reason you can't do the same for Grogcat, right?"
"Cait would have sent me flying across the Commonwealth with her right hook." Nora sighed, shaking her head as she moved towards the kitchen. She paused in the doorway.
Plates, cutlery and bucket of clean water were set on one of the counters… and so was Grogcat, his face in the frying pan she had used to make breakfast that morning.
He looked up at her and hissed.
"See? He's hungry!" Burke insisted, confidently striding past her and scooping the cat up from the counter. Grogcat gave him a plaintive meow in response, but didn't offer any resistance.
Nora sighed loudly, folding her arms as Burke looked at her with pleading eyes. Eyes that were beginning to glisten with tears.
"Oh for the love of… Fine." Nora cried, exasperated. "Guess we'll have to go and see if crazy Myrna has any supplies for cats. But if you catch some kind of illness from him, don't come crying to me!"
She couldn't remember seeing Burke so genuinely elated before. He grinned, leaning down and planting a kiss atop Grogcat's head. Nora cringed slightly at that, scrutinising the filthy, patchy fur.
I really hope he doesn't have mites.
But still… it was good to see Burke happy.
She couldn't help but smile to herself when he walked past her to tell Piper the news, leaving her to deal with the mess.
The market was quietening down when they left Home Plate that afternoon. The blue of the sky had assumed the glow of advancing twilight, the vanilla coloured clouds gradually becoming tinted with gold, pink and purple. Nora watched as Burke headed straight towards Diamond City Surplus, Grogcat perched precariously on his shoulders.
"Who do you think Myrna will accuse of being a synth first?" She asked idly as she and Piper followed after the Squire and his cat.
"Good question." Piper snorted, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "She'll probably accuse Grogcat first if she's seen him around. Probably claim he's been tailing her or…" She trailed off and slowed to a halt, lowering her hand from her chin.
"What's up?" Nora asked, stopping to look at her.
"How do I look?" Piper asked with sudden urgency, dusting off her red coat and running her fingers through her dark hair. "God I bet I look like a mess…"
"What? You look fine!" Nora frowned. "What's going on?"
"Whew… Okay." Piper nodded to herself, looking somewhere beyond Nora's shoulder as she adjusted her hat. "I'll see you in a minute, Blue."
"Okay?"
Nora raised her eyebrows, following Piper with her eyes as she made her way towards Commonwealth Weaponry… or more specifically to a man at Commonwealth Weaponry.
As Piper drew near to him, she crouched down slightly, her steps slow and deliberate. Nora frowned, her unease growing as her friend balled one hand into a fist. Her mouth fell open as Piper drew her arm back and threw a sucker punch.
There was a flurry of movement as the man sidestepped with surprising speed, turning in one deft movement to catch Piper's wrist in his hand. Nora gasped as he pulled Piper off balance, causing the reporter to splutter as she fell towards the ground.
Seconds before she landed on her rear, the man's free arm snaked around her waist and he pulled her back onto her feet. For a few long moments they stared at each other, lost in their own world. Then the man slowly dropped his arms to run a hand through his hair, his cheeks reddening slightly under dark stubble.
The spell broken, Piper stepped back with a huff, shaking her head slightly as she readjusted her cap.
"Dammit Marcus! That's almost twice you've made me hit the dirt!" She grumbled, rubbing her wrist though the smile curving her lips took the heat from her words.
"Well, that's what happens when you sneak up on strangers." Marcus teased with a chuckle. "I thought you learned that the last time?"
"Well, we're not exactly strangers, are we?" Piper smirked, before turning to greet Arturo. She didn't see the soft smile Marcus gave her before he turned back towards the counter, playfully elbowing her as he did so.
Nate used to look at me like that. Nora thought sadly, glancing down at her own wedding ring. I thought Danse did too, but...
"Nora!"
She snapped back into reality at the sound of Burke's voice, glancing to where he was waving impatiently from Diamond City Surplus. He had already gathered what he wanted and was standing at the counter, waiting.
Taking a deep breath, Nora squared her shoulders and straightened up, plastering a pleasant smile on her lips that did not reach her eyes as she walked over to him.
Myrna didn't even have the decency to force a smile. Instead she transferred her dark glare from Burke and the bristling Grogcat to Nora.
"This boy yours?" She scowled, moodily dropping her copy of Publick Occurrences onto the counter.
Nora fought the urge to pull a face.
"He's with me, yes."
Myrna grunted in response, surveying the Squire suspiciously before referring to a piece of paper she kept on her desk.
"Forty caps." She demanded, hitting a few buttons on a battered looking till to open the drawer.
"Forty?" Nora frowned, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow. "That's a little steep don't you think?"
"These are good quality items." Myrna scowled in response. "You want quality? You pay for it."
"Come on, Myrna. Cut me a deal?" Nora pressed, leaning against the counter. "I am a loyal customer."
"Or you could be a synth, trying to undercut my prices and run me out of business!" Myrna practically growled, her voice beginning to tremble as she began working herself up.
Here we go.
As Nora prepared for a fierce session of haggling, she noticed Burke inching away from her, heading out into the marketplace. She turned her head with a frown, only to see Piper move to intercept him, followed by the man called Marcus.
Satisfied that he wasn't likely to get into any trouble, Nora returned her attention to Myrna.
"All right, let's get down to brass tacks here…"
After ten minutes of squabbling and cajoling, Nora finally left the Surplus triumphant with two small bowls, a tin of dogfood and a ball of string balanced in her arms. She had managed to wear Myrna down to twenty-five caps for the lot, which was still overpriced in her opinion, but she knew when to accept her victories.
Her smug smile faded slightly when she saw no sign of Piper or Burke in the market. She walked a circuit around Takahashi's power noodles, scanning the residents crowding the counters and searching the nearby storefronts to no avail.
"Maybe they went to Publick Occurrences…" She frowned, adjusting Burke's purchases in her arms before setting off towards Piper's home.
As she was passing by Fallon's Basement, she heard footsteps climbing the stairs back to street level. She stopped to let the person pass, only to curse her pre-war manners when Danse emerged in front of her.
He paused, regarding her with his usual serious expression, a neatly folded pile of clothes in his arms. He nodded to her in greeting.
"Knight."
"Paladin."
She waited for him to continue walking, but he didn't. They stood there in an uncomfortable silence, watching each other in their peripheral vision. Finally, Danse cleared his throat.
"Those are unusual supplies." He commented, regarding her purchases.
"I'm just running an errand for a friend." She replied with a tight smile, deciding against mentioning Grogcat. "Got yourself new clothes?"
"Yes. I don't really have any casual wear aboard the Prydwen, besides which I need to return what I'm wearing to you… I also still need to wash my uniform." He sighed, a pained expression crossing his face.
"Yeah. Yefim might charge you extra if you stink out your room." She snorted, glancing up at him with a small smile. "Bring your uniform around tomorrow and I'll see what I can do with some industrial grade abraxo. Also, you should keep the clothes. They look good on you."
Danse immediately averted his gaze, his Adam's apple bobbing in his throat.
"Well… I'd better get going." She said awkwardly, glancing at the ground. She stepped around him, intending to continue towards Publick Occurrences.
"Where's the Squire?" He asked abruptly, turning to face her again.
"He's at Piper's." She shrugged, slowing slightly when he fell into step beside her. "Why?"
"I want to check up on him." He replied, keeping his eyes forward. She nodded in response, but said nothing.
As soon as Nora stepped through Piper's door, she was ambushed. Something small and furry launched at her legs and she yelped, backing up sharply and stepping on Danse's feet. The items she had been carrying fell to the floor, the heavy tin of dogfood narrowly missing Grogcat's head as he made a quick escape, disappearing beneath a battered yellow couch.
For a few moments Nora remained where she was, nostrils flared as she watched for another attack. Then Danse cleared his throat and she jumped, feeling the rumble of his chest at her back. Hastily she stepped away, her hands releasing his shirt as she began collecting the items up off the floor, mumbling an apology.
She heard footsteps and glanced up, cheeks still burning as Burke and Nat emerged from behind the cinderblock wall that partitioned Nat's room from the rest of the ground floor.
Immediately Nat's eyes narrowed.
"You break it, you buy it, Lady." She frowned, folding her arms and pouting. "I don't care how much Sis likes you."
"This isn't a shop." Burke snapped, glaring at the girl with visible dislike before striding over to help Nora gather up the last of the items. As he doubled over to grab the last bowl, Grogcat shot out from his hiding place and jumped on the Squire's back, much to his amusement.
As Burke carefully straightened up, the cat moved so that it was perched on his shoulder once more, ripped ears perked as it fixed its golden glare upon Danse.
"I was unaware that Piper had a cat." Danse mused aloud, raising his eyebrows before depositing his clothes on the coffee table and moving towards Burke.
Grogcat's eyes narrowed and his ears flattened slightly, his crooked tail beginning to twitch. Nora turned to watch as the Paladin slowly raised his hand to the cat and found herself holding her breath. Burke, too, looked somewhat pale, suddenly standing rigid.
Grogcat rose to his paws and gingerly sniffed – before gently butting his head against Danse's fingers.
Nora's mouth dropped open in disbelief as Danse proceeded to gently scratch the cat behind the ear.
Burke looked more than a little relieved.
"Well, well! You been storing cat food in that walking tin can of yours or something?"
They glanced up to find Piper standing on the stairs leading up to her room, smirking down at them.
"I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised you get along with the crazy cat though. Me and Hancock kinda have you pegged for a crazy cat lady, if you retire one day."
Danse scowled slightly and straightened up, dropping his hands to his sides as Piper began to descend the steps.
"Hey, Blue! I was wondering where you'd gotten too!" Piper greeted, turning her attention to Nora.
"I was just bringing over the supplies you wanted from Myrna's. For your new cat." Nora added, looking meaningfully up at her friend.
Piper raised her eyebrows slightly, reaching the bottom of the stairs.
"Right... My new cat." She said dryly, folding her arms and leaning back against the wall.
Burke frowned and shot Nora a questioning look.
Nora shook her head, pointing at Danse and mouthing to him, only to quickly raise her finger to her chin, pretending to scratch an itch when Danse turned to face her with narrowed eyes.
Movement upstairs caught her attention and she jumped at the chance to change the topic when the man called Marcus appeared on the top step, peering down curiously at them.
"So! Areyou going to introduce us to your friend up there, Piper?" She asked, nodding towards him and prompting Danse to turn around.
"Who? Marcus?" Piper glanced over her shoulder and grinned up at him. "He's just a friend."
"I see…" Nora couldn't help the slow smirk that was spreading across her face as Piper turned back towards her. "Is this the 'friend' with the 'personal business'?" She enunciated with her fingers.
"Blue…"
"So you're Blue?"
They turned as Marcus left the stairs, a small smile on his lips as he offered his hand to Nora.
"Like Piper said, I'm Marcus. It's good to meet you."
"Ah. So Piper's already been talking about me?" Nora smiled, shaking his hand firmly.
"Mostly good things." He replied before turning to Danse. "Tin Man?"
Danse sighed, shooting Piper a disapproving look before shaking Marcus' hand.
"Paladin Danse."
Marcus raised his eyebrows at that.
"Paladin as in from the Brotherhood of Steel?"
Before Danse could answer, there came a loud bang as the front door was thrown wide open.
"It's Power Hour!" Deacon announced, striding into the house with a blue swatter resting against his shoulder. "For your safety I advise all residents and guests vacate the premises and head on down to Power Noodles ASAP!"
With that, he swung the swatter down to indicate the open door.
"Finally!" Burke grinned, hurrying outside with Grogcat still on his shoulder.
"Are we having power noodles, Sis?" Nat asked hopefully, turning pleading eyes towards Piper.
"Yes we are, kiddo! Thanks to Blue's generosity!" Piper said with a wink, before grabbing Marcus' arm and dragging him towards the door.
"Piper, what-"
"You heard the officer!" Piper announced, cutting off his question. "We're all going to Power Noodles! Even the cat!"
"You should come too." Nora said, turning to face Danse. "It'll beat eating alone at the Dugout."
"I'll meet you there then, soldier" said Danse, hesitating before nodding his assent and moving to gather his clothes.
Diamond City was coming to life once more as Danse left the Dugout, shouldering his way through a crowd of weary residents eager to drown their sorrows in liquor. The stadium flood-lights bathed the city in cold white light, whilst strings of glowing bulbs hung across the narrow streets. As he walked towards the market he remained mindful of the dark alleyways he passed on the way.
He didn't know why he'd agreed to eat with them. His plan had been to keep in contact only as necessary and yet when he had met Nora in the street, he had been unable to walk away from her.
He tried to tell himself that the reason he had accompanied her to Publick Occurrences had been perfectly sound. It was critical that they keep an eye on Burke at all times, given his propensity for trouble. But that didn't explain why he had agreed to join them for dinner…
He shook his head, annoyed at himself. It's just dinner. It's perfectly normal for a C.O. to eat with his soldiers… Besides, others will be present to provide a distraction.
Satisfied with his reasoning, he arrived in the marketplace, trying to convince himself the roiling of his stomach had everything to do with hunger and nothing to do with the situation between himself and Nora.
Power Noodles was busy, the counters and tables beneath the awnings crowded with residents and travellers alike. Yet somehow he found them all seated together at one of the counters, the scrawny ginger-and-white cat sat on a stool between Nora and Burke, saving him a seat. A steaming bowl of noodles was already awaiting him on the counter with a can of purified water beside it.
As he approached, Burke pulled the cat onto his own lap, allowing him to sit down.
"Everyone's having the brahmin bowl." Nora explained when he peered curiously at the meat strips lying over the noodles. "I think we've all had enough of seafood this mission."
"This must have cost you some caps if you've paid for everyone." He commented, gathering up his chopsticks from the counter.
"We deserve it." She shrugged, keeping her eyes to her bowl. "Besides, this might be the only time Burke gets to eat here."
Danse glanced down towards the boy and frowned slightly. Evidently, not only was this Burke's first time eating in Diamond City, but his first time eating with chopsticks. He watched as noodles slipped from Burke's grasp, splashing the counter with broth.
"Are you sure you don't want me to show you again?" Deacon grinned from his other side, already holding his chopsticks at the ready.
"No. Last time you stole some of the brahmin!" Burke scowled, glaring at him.
"I promise, on my honour, that I won't steal another piece of brahmin from your bowl!" Deacon swore solemnly, placing his hand on his heart.
"Don't believe him, Squire. He has no honour." Danse frowned, ignoring the way Deacon's lower lip began to tremble theatrically. "Besides, he doesn't need to eat from your bowl to show you."
"Objection!" Deacon announced, holding his empty bowl aloft. "I have nothing to demonstrate with!"
"To begin with," Danse pressed on, ignoring Deacon completely, "you're holding them wrong…"
"…The latest word is that they've re-taken "The Castle," an old holdout of theirs from back in the day.
"From everything I've heard, it was no small feat to get that back under their control. There are some real monsters out there in the Commonwealth…"
Burke chewed thoughtfully as he listened to the radio behind the counter. It was fairly old news, he had heard about the Minutemen's reclaiming the Castle back on the Prydwen. But now he might be able to get a first-hand account.
He glanced over to where Nora was eating beside Danse, her eyes distant.
To his right, the counter was loud, Deacon making caps disappear before Nat's eyes whilst Piper laughed perhaps a little too easily at Marcus' banter. Nora and Danse were silent, neither having spoken since he had mastered the art of the chopsticks.
"Nora? What happened at the Castle?" He asked, watching as she startled back into reality.
For a few moments she blinked owlishly, processing his words. Then she smiled.
"Mirelurks. Lots and lots of mirelurks." She said, leaning forwards to peer around Danse. "Way back before I joined the Minutemen, a huge mirelurk queen breached one of the walls and chased the previous Minutemen out."
"They were chased out by mirelurks?" Burke cocked an eyebrow, looking unimpressed.
"I seem to recall you being chased around by mirelurks more than once." She snorted, dropping her chopsticks in her bowl.
"I'm a kid. The Minutemen are supposed to be soldiers."
"Hmph. Farmers is more like it." Danse muttered before shovelling more noodles into his mouth.
"Those farmers helped me to bring down one of the biggest monsters I've ever seen, Paladin. Without the aid of power armour or high tech weaponry." Nora frowned at him, before turning back to Burke. "Anyway, the mirelurks had spent years building nests in there. They had egg clutches in the courtyard, on top of the walls, inside the walls and there were a lot of protective adults guarding them. Including myself, there were only six Minutemen -"
"Six of you?" Danse's tone was sharp as he turned to face her with a frown. "Why didn't you call for backup?"
"I was the backup!" Nora sighed, resting her chin on her hand. "Besides, Preston was there and the four Minutemen he persuaded to help were the only ones willing at the time."
"But why did you not approach myself or Elder Maxson about the situation?" He insisted, his tone disapproving. "The Brotherhood could have provided you with fire support! At the very least I would have accompanied you!"
"It was something the Minutemen needed to do for themselves." Nora scowled. "They needed a victory that was theirs and theirs alone. Besides, what would the Brotherhood have wanted in exchange, huh? They're not exactly known for their charitable nature!"
"Need I remind you that you are a member of the Brotherhood, Knight?" Danse bristled, his jaw squaring and eyes flickering dangerously.
"Need I remind you that I'm the Minutemen General, Paladin?" Nora snapped, sitting upright and bringing her hand down on the counter.
The others fell silent, watching them.
"Is everything okay, Blue?" Piper asked hesitantly, glancing between them.
"Fine." Nora swallowed, turning to nod at her.
Danse turned away, his hands clenched into fists on his lap.
"Actually, I need to go see Nick. Would you mind watching Burke?" She continued, turning back to Danse.
He nodded and she took her leave.
Nora slammed the door of the detective agency shut, causing the doorframe to shudder. Papers flew from Ellie's desk in the draught and the overhead light began to swing, causing shadows to leap across the room.
Exhaling heavily, she leaned back against the door, her nails biting into the wood. She heard footsteps approach from around the corner and swallowed, trying to get her emotions back under control as a figure in a faded trench coat appeared, his golden eyes glowing softly in the shadow of his fedora.
Nick Valentine halted when he saw her.
Nora tried to don the fake smile that she had worn for most of the day, but her lips began to tremble, suddenly too heavy to pull up.
"Nick…" Her voice cracked and she covered her face with her hands.
As she forced herself to take deep breaths, trying to regain her composure, she felt a hand close over her shoulder.
"Take it easy there, partner." He said gently, his golden eyes filled with concern. "What's wrong?"
Nora stepped forwards and buried her face in his shoulder, leaning against him as silent sobs began to rake her body. Nick raised his arms and held her until she grew calm again, his coat dampened by her tears.
She finally stepped away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
"Sorry Nick. I guess that wasn't the hello you were expecting." She managed hoarsely, giving him a watery smile.
"Don't sweat it. You wouldn't be the first person I've seen burst into tears at the sight of my mug." Nick said, his lips pulling into a small smile though his eyes were still concerned.
How can anyone say he's less than human? Nora wondered, allowing him to guide her behind Ellie's desk. She sat down in Ellie's usual seat as he pulled an office chair over from his own desk, setting it in front of her. As he seated himself, he pulled a packet of cigarettes from his pocket and placed one between his lips, before offering the packet to her.
"You know, that's the second cigarette I've been offered today?" She asked him, shaking her head. "I didn't smoke before the war and I don't plan on starting now but… They get a little more tempting every time."
"Been one of those days, huh?" Nick removed the cigarette from his lips and slotted it back into the packet.
"Don't stop on my account, Nick." She sighed, leaning back into her seat.
"I should probably cut back anyway." He shrugged, dropping the packet back into his pocket. "It's bad for the wallpaper."
Nora smiled weakly and they lapsed into silence, the din of the evening crowds outside muffled by the walls.
It was comfortable in the agency. The air was warm and heavy with the scent of tobacco. For a few moments, Nora fidgeted, intently studying the stationery and neatly stacked folders on Ellie's desk. Nick didn't press her for an explanation, simply providing her his quiet company.
"I don't know what I'm doing anymore, Nick." She finally whispered, leaning her head back against the chair and gazing at the smoke stained ceiling. "I don't know what to do."
"Take as long as you need, kid." He said gently.
Swallowing, she reached up and began to twist her ring-chain around her fingers until Nate's ring was in her grasp.
"When I first woke up, I just wanted to find Shaun." She said softly, her gaze distant. "Nate was gone and Shaun… he was all I had left. When I first left that vault, he was all that mattered to me. He should be all that matters to me, but…"
She trailed off, returning her gaze to Ellie's desk. She released the chain and picked up a gnawed pencil, beginning to twirl it between her fingers.
"I was just a graduate. A mother. I didn't even get the chance to put my law degree to use, or to see Shaun grow up. But now I'm a widow, a General, a Knight and an Agent?"
The pencil began to twirl faster, though Nick kept his eyes carefully fixed upon her face, listening intently.
"People have died because of decisions I made, you know? Good people." She shook her head, suddenly clenching the pencil in her fist. "When I agreed to be Preston's General, I thought it'd be a small thing. Maybe just do a little good for other people while I searched for Shaun but then… Well, now I have an army I don't know how to lead."
She paused for a few moments, then began to twirl the pencil again, her expression infinitely sad.
"I'm no leader, Nick. Other than saving Shaun, I have no plans. Hell, I don't even know what I'm going to do when I find him, how we're going to live, even if I'll be a good mother. How can I be responsible for the Minutemen?"
"Well, from what I've seen so far, you seem to be doing a heck of a job as General." Nick said sincerely. "It was you who brought them back from the brink, kid. It was you who gave them hope."
Nora snorted bitterly, raising a hand to her head.
"Hope? How do I inspire that when I haven't stopped by the Castle in over a month? Instead, I've been hiding out on the Prydwen, playing at being a Knight because it's easier when someone else gives me orders, but…" she gesticulated helplessly. "I don't know, Nick. I feel safer when someone else is in charge and the Brotherhood gives me direction, but some of their beliefs…"
She shook her head miserably.
"Hell, right now I'm out here 'training' a child soldier. What kind of a mother does that?"
Nick remained silent, though the glow of his eyes seemed to dim slightly.
"Deacon thinks I'm getting in too deep with them." Her shoulders slumped even further. "Maybe he's right… Just look at the mess of things I'm making now."
"Mess?" he asked gently, adopting a more pensive expression.
"The Squire found out something he wasn't supposed to…" As Nora explained Burke's discovery of the Railroad and the uncertainty of his silence, Nick lit a cigarette and began to smoke. When she was finished, they lapsed into a thoughtful silence, watching the smoke curl in the air about them.
"You did the right thing." He said at last. "That was awfully heavy-handed of Stockton, threatening to box the boy up like that and send him away like cargo. Security threat or not, he's a child and the Brotherhood's all he's got left."
Nora relaxed slightly at his words, nodding faintly.
"As for him keeping quiet, you'll just have to do your best to convince him and hope it's enough."
"But what if I've condemned the Railroad? What should I do?" She asked quietly, her eyes searching his face.
"From what I've seen of our mutual friends, they'll be savvy enough to work something out. I imagine they'll want to see you for a word soon, though. Just let me know if you need any back-up." Nick said confidently, giving her a reassuring smile.
Nora swallowed.
"Actually, Nick… That leads on to another thing I need to talk to you about."
"Go ahead, I'm listening." He nodded, sitting upright.
Nora sighed heavily, returning the pencil to the desk.
"I told you before that Danse was to accompany me to the Glowing Sea." She began, her hand once again fidgeting with the chain at her throat. "Well, something's come up and… it's probably better I part ways with him for a while after this mission."
Nick stubbed out the remainder of his cigarette, studying her intently.
"You don't have to say anything if you don't want to, but if you want to talk about it…"
Nora was silent for a while, catching Nate's ring between her fingers and reading the inscription on the inside.
Today, Tomorrow & Always.
"I… thought there was something between us. Something more than friendship." She said quietly. "But he's made it clear that there's room only for the Brotherhood in his life. It's probably for the best, anyway." She added quickly, clutching the ring in her hand and blinking rapidly. "I mean, I already have enough problems as it is, right? Why make things more complicated?"
"Don't be so hard on yourself." Nick's voice was gentle but firm. He leaned forwards in his chair, trying to catch her eye. "Happiness is a hard thing to find in the Commonwealth. Believe me, I'm a detective. I should know. But when you do find it, you have to seize it with both hands and hold onto it."
Nora finally met his gaze, wiping her eyes with her hand.
"You will find happiness one day, Nora." He promised her gently. "God knows if anyone deserves it in this world, it's you."
"That's it!" Piper announced, rising to her feet. "I'm done listening to you boys talk about guns!"
Danse and Marcus glanced up from their conversation, watching as she gestured for Nat to stand, too.
"Was it that pun about 'Piper pistols' that pushed you over the edge?" Deacon grinned, earning a snort and eye roll from the reporter.
"Whatever, Lance. It's getting pretty late anyway and Nat here has school in the morning!" She added, smiling down at her younger sister who groaned at the mention of school.
"Can't I just work instead?" She complained as Piper began to usher her away.
"Kiddo, I already know you'll work yourself ragged when I leave with Marcus. Your education is important!" They had taken a few steps away before Piper turned around again, raising a brow as she caught Marcus' eye. "You crashing at mine or staying with Tin Man at the Dugout?"
"Well, I guess that's my cue to leave." Marcus sighed, rising to follow them. "It was good to meet you, Danse. Lance."
"Likewise." Danse nodded, watching as the Wrights and their guest began the short walk back to Publick Occurrences.
When he turned back to the counter, it was to see Burke dozing off, his head resting on his arms whilst the cat ate the remaining food someone had left in a nearby bowl. Frowning, he turned to call for Piper to retrieve her cat, but they were already out of earshot.
"Well Danse, old buddy, old pal-a –" Deacon cut off at the look Danse shot him. "I've got an early patrol tomorrow, so I'm going to have to love you and leave you."
"Very well." Danse nodded, before reaching across to gently shake Burke's shoulder. "Come on, Squire. It's gotten late."
Burke groaned, slowly sitting upright and rubbing his eyes. As the boy slid from the stool, stifling a yawn with his hand, the cat raised its head from the bowl and trotted over to him before climbing on his shoulder, just as Takahashi rounded the bend to collect the empty bowls.
"Where's everyone gone?" He mumbled sleepily.
"To their beds." Danse replied, gesturing for him to follow as he led the way across the market. "Knight Hart seems to have let time escape her, so we'll rendezvous with her at the detective agency first."
"Detective agency?" Burke cocked his head, looking slightly more alert. "That sounds cool."
Danse just grunted in response. He very much doubted that Burke would find a synth detective 'cool'.
As they walked along the dark, narrow streets, Burke kept close to him, unnerved by the chem addicts and homeless who loitered in some of the alleyways. They finally reached the first of the garish neon signs the synth had installed to drum up business.
A pink heart and arrow flashed in the darkness, indicating the street upon which Valentine 'lived' and operated. Danse led the way towards a tired looking building, where another hot pink neon sign announced 'Valentine's Detective Agency', another ridiculous heart pierced by an arrow set above the lettering.
As he and Burke stepped into the gloomy entrance, Danse paused and turned to face him.
"Before we enter the agency Squire, it is only fair that I warn you that Valentine is… unusual." He said at last, his expression full of distaste.
"Unusual?" Burke repeated, tilting his head.
"I suppose you'll see for yourself." He sighed, his hand closing about the door handle. "I assure you however that he is no threat and were he ever to become one, I would put him down myself."
With that, he pushed open the door and led the way inside.
It was almost as dingy and dirty in the office as it was on the street outside. The walls and ceiling were grimy and smoke stained, cabinets crowded every available space and other than the neatly arranged desk at the front of the agency, the place was a mess.
Nora glanced up from where she was sitting on a desk at the back of the room, nursing a steaming mug in her hands. Danse could just about see the glow of one of the synth's eyes as he leaned back to peer around the Knight and he fought the urge to curl his lip in contempt.
The synth was fortunate that Maxson deemed it useful enough not to order its immediate destruction, although he was quietly certain that once the Institute was dealt with, that order would change.
"Knight." He greeted her, standing up straighter. "It's getting late."
Nora turned to look at a working clock on the wall and her eyes widened slightly. She hastily downed the rest of her drink and rose from the desk, setting the mug down.
"Sorry. I didn't realise." She sighed, rolling her shoulders before turning to the synth with a genuine smile. "Thanks for all your help, Nick."
Danse found his jaw clenching as she turned and hugged the abomination.
"Who's Nick?" Burke asked curiously, moving forwards to lean on the desk, Grogcat still on his shoulder.
As Nora turned away and began to walk towards them, the synth detective came into view.
The Squire screamed.
The cat shrieked and fell from the boy's shoulder as he ran behind the Paladin.
"SYNTH!" He shouted, his voice deafening in the small space. "SYNTH! KILL IT SIR! KILL IT!"
"Charming boy." Nick drawled as he rose to his feet, readjusting his fedora. "He Danse's?"
"It's alright, Burke!" Nora insisted, ignoring the glaring match that raged between the Paladin and detective. "This is Nick Valentine. He's a friend of mine."
"But that's a synth!" Burke insisted. "It's an abomin-"
There came a loud crash as a cardboard box fell from a filing cabinet, Manilla folders and papers cascading to the floor as Grogcat forced himself through a narrow window.
Burke gasped and whipped around, wrenching the door open to run into the street.
"Squire!" Danse turned sharply and followed, grabbing the scruff of Burke's shirt just under the flashing heart of the agency's sign.
"Where is he?" Burke cried, glancing up and down the street, his hands futilely clawing at Danse's. "I need to find him!"
"He's probably returned home to Piper." Danse said firmly, turning Burke to face him.
"But –"
"The cat will be fine, Squire." Danse insisted, gazing steadily into the boy's eyes. "But you cannot under any circumstance run off on your own like that again. Do I make myself clear?"
"But he's my cat!" Burke protested, his eyes beginning to glisten with tears. "Nora said I could keep him! He's scared and what if someone hurts him? Nat said some of the homeless people eat the cats!"
Danse's eyes narrowed and he turned to glare over his shoulder to where Nora had emerged into the garish light.
"Is this true?" He demanded. "Did you say the Squire could keep the animal?"
"Yes." She nodded, drawing herself to her full height.
Danse released Burke's shoulders, turning to glare at her.
"Surely you knew that he wouldn't be able to bring it with us?" He frowned, his glare intensifying. "Why on earth would you allow him to bond with the cat if you knew they would have to be separated? Not only is it tactically irresponsible, it's cruel and unfair to the both of them!"
"You shouldn't throw stones in glass houses, Danse." She said calmly, her expression unreadable in the pink glow of the sign.
For a few long moments they watched each other in silence.
"Found you!"
The spell was broken as a loud and merry voice echoed up the street.
Blinking in surprise, Nora turned just as Vadim locked one arm about her neck, stumbling forwards to throw his other arm about Danse's squared shoulders.
"You two look so good together! What is more romantic than gazing at each other in front of glowing heart, eh? It makes Vadim so happy!" He grinned, permeating the air with his beer breath. "Now I can go and tell my idiot brother he owes me one hundred caps! I could kiss you!"
With that, he turned and planted a sloppy kiss on Nora's cheek before turning to do the same to Danse, only for the Paladin to recoil sharply and pull himself free of Vadim's grasp.
Despite herself, Nora laughed.
"Been placing bets on me again, Vadim?" She asked, wiping her cheek with her hand.
"Only harmless, happy bets!" Vadim insisted, turning to grin at her. "Me and Travis, we remember when you and Dan helped –"
"Danse." The Paladin sighed, looking annoyed.
"What kind of silly name is that?" Vadim snorted. "Anyway, me and Travis, we remember when you and Dan helped us and we say, even back then, 'those two make attractive couple! One day they will have beautiful children!'"
As he spoke, Vadim raised his hand as though envisioning the future, when he caught sight of Burke watching him, looking somewhere between bewildered and scared. Vadim gasped.
"You already have a child?" He turned to look at Nora, his eyes wide. "You named him after me, yes?"
"Hm. Seems to me Vadim's been letting himself into the liquor cabinets again." Nick drawled, stepping out of his office to join them in the street.
Burke recoiled behind Danse who was standing very still, staring at Nora and Vadim.
At the sight of Nick, the barkeep became even more excited.
"Nicky! It is good to see you again! Hey! You know my lovely friend, Nora, yes?" He added, squeezing her in a tighter hug.
"Well sure I do. She's my partner. Remember when we helped you with Earl Sterling's disappearance?"
"Oh Earl… I miss him." Vadim sniffed. "He was good man! One of the best! Terrible with women though. You!" He added, turning to point at Danse. "You also good man who is terrible with women! This is why my idiot brother thought you wouldn't get together! But I said you would and I am right!"
"You're wrong, actually." Nora informed him as Nick ducked under his free arm. "We're not together."
"What? This is some kind of joke, yes?" Vadim demanded, frowning at her.
"Let's just get you home, big guy." Nora sighed, turning him around with Nick's help.
"Not home! Noodles!" Vadim announced, staggering along between them.
"Sure, whatever you want." She glanced over Vadim's arm towards Burke and Danse. "Can you make sure Burke follows, Paladin?"
Danse gave an almost imperceptible nod before ushering Burke ahead.
After another overly enthusiastic hug from Vadim, Nora bade them goodnight, leading Burk away towards Home Plate.
Nick sat on a stool at Power Noodles, withdrawing a cigarette from his pocket and lighting up. Beside him, Vadim cheered as Takahashi set a fresh bowl of noodles in front of him.
Danse remained standing, watching as Nora unlocked the door and ushered Burke inside. For a moment she remained in the doorway, her eyes lingering on the Paladin before she turned away and closed the door.
Danse's shoulders slumped slightly, a sigh escaping his lips before he straightened up, turning his dark eyes to Nick's. "Will you require assistance escorting him back to the Dugout?"
"I'll get him back safe, don't you worry." Nick said, waving away the offer. "Besides, he's barely started eating."
Danse glanced to where Vadim was hunched over his bowl, sloppily eating his noodles. He nodded, striding away towards the Dugout without another word.
"It's sad, yes?" Vadim commented after a while. "They remind me of how Travis and Scarlett used to be, only angrier, with a bigger, scarier man than Travis."
"It's none of our business, Vadim." Nick sighed.
"Pfffft! Of course it is my business!" Vadim snorted, turning to face him. "I was not kidding about the bet. Not only will they break my heart, but they will break my bank!"
"You're all heart, Vadim." Nick said dryly, exhaling a plume of smoke.
"Nan-ni shimasho-ka?"
They glanced up as Takahashi approached, red lights blinking beneath his chef hat.
"I don't know. How much did you bet on them getting together?" Nick asked, glancing at Vadim.
"One hundred caps. Why?"
"Nan-ni shimasho-ka?"
"Taka. Don't encourage him." Nick said, shaking his head.
"What? What is he saying?" Vadim frowned, sitting up straighter.
"Nan-ni shimasho-ka?"
"Ol' Taka here says he'll raise your bet." Nick relayed, turning back to face Vadim. "If they get together before they leave the city, Taka will pay you two-hundred caps and you get to eat at Power Noodles free for a month."
Vadim sat bolt upright, his eyes growing wide. Suddenly he shovelled the rest of his noodles into his mouth and chugged down the hot broth before leaping to his feet with a grin.
"I accept your challenge!" He announced, his voice echoing through the night. "They shall be together before they leave or my name is not Vadim Bobrov!"
"Er Vadim you –"
"Not now, Valentine! I must come up with a most cunning plan! I must be their Cupid!"
"Stupid is more like…" Nick muttered, watching as Vadim set off at a run, stumbling over his own two feet yet somehow remaining upright.
"Nan-ni shimasho-ka?"
"Yeah, I'll tell him about the forfeit." Nick sighed, shaking his head as he rose to follow Vadim. "I'm sure he'll go all out when he learns he owes you all that moonshine and the caps."
"Nan-ni shimasho-ka?"
Nick turned to face the robot with a chuckle, a smile tugging at his lips.
"You really are a romantic, ain't ya Taka? I don't know if it'll work. We'll have to wait and see."
A/N: There were two versions of this chapter, but the first one I had written didn't accomplish what I needed it to, though I was nervous this version wouldn't live up to the original! It's the longest chapter to date. I would have broken it up if possible but I couldn't without disrupting the flow of it!
Huge thank you to Mr Ninja Pineapple for letting me borrow Marcus! (I highly recommend reading his adventures in Broken Mask ^^)
Gotta admit I was a bit nervous about this one, I'm much more comfortable writing about monsters and danger, but fluff and relationships scare me! Hope you enjoyed it anyway though & as always thank you all for your awesome support! You guys rock! ^-^b