I will be editing this story so if this seems jumpy im sorry, i will fix it eventually. Hope you like it regardless...

Nora wasn't human anymore. She knew that much. The radiation or the cryochamber or some otherworldly force had changed her. Things that would kill anyone else left her uneffected. Bullets to the head, radiated water, falls from great heights, over dosing on chems. All did absolutely nothing.

Her eyes that had once been a soothing brown now glowed ominously. She could make head shots at hundreds of yards with ease. Her bones were unbreakable and her stomach completely accustomed to the disgusting food of the wasteland. She was strong and fast and never got tired anymore.

No, she was not human. She was something else entirely.

She had been hiding out in the Institute for weeks now, letting everything settle before she did anything drastic. There were still gaps in her plan that she needed to fill in so she would wait for a little longer. But one thing was definitely needed immediately. Diamond City. The great green jewel of the Commonwealth, the major hub of all trade and protection.

The mayor was under her control and she was sure the citizens would bend to her will if pressed but she needed to make her control irrefutable. Nora knew she couldn't use synths to take over the city as they hated synths more than anything. The Railroad hated her so they were out. The minutemen were still loyal but she had another plan for them. That left the Brotherhood.

They were more or less indifferent to her. She hadn't killed Danse but Maxion had left it slide. Nora had gone against orders a few times but enough to turn the faction against her. As far as she knew they weren't aware of her leadership of their greatest enemy.

"Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to get their help."

"Ma'am?" Asked Z1-14.

Since she returned to the institute she had been changing the Institute's policies regarding synths and kidnapping people. Synths were free and were to no longer be used like tools. Some people refused to oblige her wishes but when they saw she had the backing of not only the regular synths but the courses as well, who were programed to follow the leader of the institute no matter what what, refusal diminished quickly.

Nora was still unsure as to why they had been replacing people with synths. Maybe it was to see if people could tell the difference but that seemed silly. She would have to ask the people in synth retention one day.

"Ma'am? Are you ok?" Z1 questioned again. He had been her assistant since she imprisoned X6-88. He no longer went by Z1 but rather Jonathan. After Nora had made the changes, most synths decided to stay to show their gratitude. They could leave whenever they wished.

"Im fine. Just trying to work something out."

She was in the suite that her son had formerly occupied, though it now looked nothing like it once did. The furniture was all different and any painful reminders of this slow death had been removed. A large bed had been placed in the center of the room, along with several cabinets to store all the things she collected.

She rolled to face the robotic man and studied his face. 'Is that what Nick would look like if he was a Gen3?'

Dogmeat was reclined next to her, freshly bathed and fed, more comfortable than he had ever been. Nora kept him by her side at all times, even in the safety of the Institute.

"If i said i needed to work with the Brotherhood to further my plans what would you say?"

The mans form went ridged and his eyes hardened. It wasn't unexpected. What was surprising was how he relaxed after a moment.

"If you believe it to be necessary then i trust you."

Nora felt her heart tear open. Why did this person trust her? Why did this person understand necessity while the others didn't?

"I hate the Brotherhood with every fiber of my being but if they are your only option I will support you."

Dogmeat must have sensed her distress as he awoke and curled himself up by her chest. Nora held him while she watch Jonathan. If only Strong and Curie and all the others could have been like him.

"Thank you Jonathan. That means more than you know." He nodded and left the room.

But as time past a creeping thought appeared. What if Z1 wasn't different from the others. What if when she went through with her plan he would stab her in the back? What if he was still helping out the Railroad and was plotting to kill her in her sleep?

Yes that had to be it. He was tricking her, making her think he would put aside all his ideals to help her and when she finally felt safe with him he would leave like the others.

She would not allow that to happen. Nora would rather have him kill her outright than making her go through the pain of betrayal all over again.

Nora knew it was paranoia talking but what if it was true and that what if was all she needed. Nora resolved right then and there to not trust anyone again. She had made herself vulnerable and if her suspicion turned out to be true at least she wouldn't feel anything.

"Its just you and be dogmeat. No one else."

Tomorrow she would go to Boston airport and then the master plan would be set in motion.

Good? Bad? I would love to know. Suggestions maybe? Anythings good. Until next time sweetlings...