Project: Far Harbor Chapter 2

AN1: So thanks again for the followings folks! Just a heads up this Monday (the 26th of March), I'll be starting my new job! So that may effect the pacing a bit so I ask you all to bare with me on releasing updates! R&R please!

==Boston Harbor – 2 Days Later==

Preparations for loading the USS Constitution had taken longer then Nora had liked. While her original plan had been to get sailing the day before, supply delays and last minute problems on the stability of the robot crew helping their voyage to come had held things up for another day.

In that time, Nora had used the day delay to visit Diamond City. There she had tried to help smooth things over with the recent rise in troubles for Synths by pointing out misinformation still lingering from over the years of fear and paranoia. She wasn't sure she had made much of an impact, but Piper during a shared evening meal had assured her it would help. But in turn when hearing about Nora's call and plans for help, Piper had immediately put her Mayoral aide in charge and declared she was going on the trip.

"..Look Blue, if I don't get out of this damn city soon I'm going to go off the deep end! You got NO IDEA the bullshit I keep putting up with day in and out.." She said then made 'yap yap' motions with her hands. "..oh Mayor, so and so stole this! Oh no Mayor we're short on cap funding for that sewer fix again, and its all so and so's fault because…." Sighing Piper trailed off seeing Nora's amused look. "..Oh shut up, don't bother telling me I know I knew what I was getting into with this.." She said.

"..Hey you said it not me! But you sure you think it's wise to turn things over for this trip? We got no idea how long we'll be gone for.." Nora pointed out.

"..Urgh god yes. Look Mayors in Diamond City get up to a month vacation in a year. Well I checked, and there's no damn line in there about not being able to be used all in one month! I'm sure I'll regret it later, but what kinda friend would I be if I didn't help you all out?" She said casting a smile over to where Glory sat showing Shaun and Nat a playing card trick.

Nora followed the glance, catching eyes with the keen eyed Glory where both smiled in a loving way in reply to the other, before refocusing their attentions. "..Well if you're sure then. What about Nat though?" she said.

"..She'll be ok in Sanctuary, she's actually getting pretty good helping Codsworth with the cooking! Way better then me for sure.." Piper said with a chuckle.

Nora nodded a bit, then after an hour or so more of exchanged pleasantries, and seeing Nat back on her way to Sanctuary by escort, the group returned to the Harbor for the evening's rest.

Now crossing into mid morning, Nora strode up to the ship's robot Captain Iron Sides. "..Hey Captain, how's things going? We ready to sail?" she asked.

Turning the robot paused before replying. "..Ahh, General! I must say the Continental Army's help in getting us down from that dastardly building was a sure Godsend! Support too from you for aiding in our refitting and hull repairs has seen this fine vessel in better shape then ever before!.." He said.

"..So….that's a yes?" Nora asked.

"..Quite so! We are fully armed from all quarters with by shot cannons and six, 180 degree arcing barreled rapid fire railguns! Not to mention our own personal arms and munitions, this fine ship is truly ready as she shall ever be to take her place in the defense of this great land once more!.." he said.

"..Great! You analyzed those logs we gave you right? Any thoughts on where we should start out search?" Nora asked leaning on a storage box of 5mm ammo on the main deck.

"..Our fair navigator has informed me our first destination shall be an island just off shore from the old fine city of Portland Maine! Cushing Island to be specific containing the annexed Canadian military base of Fort Levett. What little the data logs tell us say that shipments from the supply depot there containing processed diamonds from elsewhere went further north, but to where could not be seen due to data corruption. Perhaps clues yet remain for further investigations.." Iron Sides said.

"..Hmm, a good as place as any I suppose. Well I'll let you get us under way then.." Nora said with a nod.

"..Of course General! Let your land legs be at rest and the once more great United States navy ferry you off to restore this great country to its glory once more!" Iron Sides said turning to bellow out orders to the rest of the robot crew.

Heading below decks Nora turned off the step ladder and entered into the Captain's quarters Iron Sides had given her after her original help. There looking out the glass window was Shaun looking like he was ready to squeal with glee as the ship began to move out of the main harbor and into the Atlantic Ocean proper. The sky was still clear and the ocean though choppy was fairly muted on the larger vessel. Nora could only imagine how such a trip like this would have been had she had to use a fishing trawler or the like. "..Hey Shaun, looks like we're out on the open ocean now eh?" she said.

Turning the Synth child beamed back. "..Oh man Mom this is awesome! Not to mention how cool it is to see this old ship sailing again! The Chief engineer showed me the new fusion reactor you guys built! Oh man was that such a rush seeing it fire up!.." He said bounding over to sit next to Nora on the couch in the room.

"..Yeah that was quite the rush wasn't it? What do you think of the robot crew?" she asked.

"..They're so cool too! I helped Tinker Tom fix up the firs mate so he wasn't all wonky yesterday. Tom says his voice is still off, but I think its funny with the tones and beeps it makes at the end of any speech.." Shaun said with a chuckle.

"..Tom and Preston both were saying you have been a big help with your lessons they been giving. Seems you got a knack for this stuff. Do you like it?" Nora said putting an arm around the boy as he laid on her left leg.

Rolling onto his back and peering up at her he nodded some. "..I think so yeah! It's not like in the Institute though, its more…..more dirty and challenging. I like it!" he said in reply.

"..You like the dirt or the challenge?" Nora prompted figuring she knew the coming answer, and was proven correct a second later.

"..Both!.." Shaun said with a laugh.

Nora smiled a bit again, then considered asking a question she reflected she hadn't really had much time to inquire on alone with Shaun since everything had settled down after the Institute. "..So Shaun, since it's just you and me. What do you think about Glory?" she asked.

"..Glory? She's pretty neat, and strong! Plus the way she handles Honor and Song, pew pew pew brrr brrr brr gaboom!" He said making gun and explosion sounds grinning as his hands flashed. "..I feel like nothing could ever hurt me or you when she's around!"

"..She indeed does her best when danger has come sniffing around Sanctuary that's true. Do you...I mean are you ok with her being with me?" She said halting a bit in how to word things some.

"..With you, Mom?" Shaun said furrowing his brow a bit. "..Oh! Like...uh being more then friend stuff and kissy kissy when you think I'm not looking and stuff?" he said making a laugh and a bit of a yuck face.

Blushing a bit and trying to keep her composure though she nodded, "..Yeah that.." Nora said.

"..Eh I guess it's ok right? I mean you're always so happy when she's around, and so is she..." He said.

Nora considered her follow up question, then decided 'what the hell' and went for broke. "..You wouldn't prefer to have a man and Dad figure instead of Glory?" she asked.

Shaun again furrowed his brow, "..Why would I, Mom? I mean like I said she makes you happy, you make her happy, and I don't remember my original Dad since we woke up in this future and you rescued me from The Institute. I mean I seen the picture you had of him, but I don't remember him. Is that wrong? Or is you and Glory being happy wrong or something?" he asked looking up again.

Nora considered how to answer that, now that she had opened this can of worms she found herself unsure how to reply, "..Well no, there's nothing wrong with you not remembering your Father Nathan. You were just a baby when the..." Nora cleared her throat softly, "..the uh bombs fell. Then with the cryo freeze and how we got seperated because of The Institute I'm sure that didn't help matters.." she said.

Shaun nodded a bit, "..I guess that's ok, but is it still wrong for you and Glory being happy together? I mean I seen some others being like that but also being mixed up. It's really confusing.." he said frowning some.

"..Errrmm….well again there's nothing wrong with Glory and I being together, no. Your Father was a good man, but….but well when two people in love have something happen like that which tears them apart it hurts a lot for a long time. But….but eventually we have to move on, they wouldn't want us to remain alone all our lives unhappy. Nor is it wrong if two people in love, whether that's a man and woman, or two women or two men are together. Pre-war society may have frowned on that some still before the bomb's but there's bigger important things in this life to worry over then little things like that. You understand?" She asked.

Shaun seemed to consider her answer then nodded. "..I guess, Mom. I still think all that kissy kissy stuff is gross though!" He declared and Nora laughed a bit once more ruffling his hair.

"..You say that now, Shaun. But you'll see one day you'll find someone who will make you happy just like Nathan did, and now Glory does for me.." She said.

"..Nu uh, Mom!" Shaun said sticking his tongue out defiantly. "..Kissy kissy stuff like that is gross!"

Nora chuckled more, "..Well why don't you show me how you're progressing on your school studies?" She said.

"..Urgh, ok fine, Mom…" Shaun groaned going to the side chest of drawers to get his work.

Nora smiled watching her Shaun get his books. As they were going over the work it wasn't long till the pair were joined by Glory and Mighty. Over the rest of the day on the Atlantic things went by peacefully, the shores of the bombed out wastes just barely in sight as they sailed north. Eventually as evening came they moved in closer to the land and finding a safe harbor near what was once the New Hampshire/Maine state borders on the ocean on Appledore Island. There, after some discussions with a few locals living there they found safe lodging and did a bit of trade before settling in for sleep for the rest of the night.

AN2: R&R please!