Nate ran his finger along the back of Hancock's hand, meeting his black eyes. The ghoul let out a puff of smoke, blowing it away from the General. "Thanks, Natie, I needed this," he whispered, and flicked the cigarette so that the ash fell onto the ground.

"You haven't had one in a while," he shrugged and relaxed into the bench to watch Shaun play with Nat on the geo-dome. They were getting along well. Surprisingly well in fact. Nate wondered what Shaun was thinking as he smiled widely at the girl, leaning in as he listened to her speak.

"I know you don't like me doing it," John said, bringing Nate back into the conversation before he could let his thoughts get too deep.

He took a deep breath and sighed a little, "I don't mind as much when it's outside and not often. One or less a day is fine, really." He'd gotten used to the habit, he knew it wasn't something a lot of people could just kick, and honestly he didn't know if lung cancer could affect a ghoul. So he really had nothing other than preference to keep John from doing it. He didn't think it was fair to tell him he wasn't allowed to.

"I can do that," he promised and grabbed Nate's hand, interlocking their fingers, "For you."

"Thank you, John, that means a lot," he whispered. Nate returned his attention to the kids on the playground. He wondered how Madelyn was doing. When he and John had decided to bring Shaun down here he stopped in to check on her and MacCready. Apparently she'd woken up a few times, but she was sleeping a lot. Duncan had rejoined them and was playing with her hair and talking to R.J. about his comic books.

"Can… I ask you something?" Hancock asked suddenly, and Nate blinked, looking over at him.

"Yeah, of course, John."

"Will you let someone else take the lead on this investigation?" The ghoul was avoiding eye contact, watching the smoke trail up from his cigarette.

"Why do you want me to do that?" Nate took the man's chin lightly and tilted his head so he had to meet his gaze.

"I have a real bad feeling about this is all, I…" Hancock frowned, showing his concern. "I don't want something to happen to you."

"Every time we leave on missions there's the threat of something happening to me," he let his thumb brush the ghoul's lips, drawing his eyes down before returning them to his black orbs. "As long as I have you with me I'll be fine, have so far right?"

"Okay," he smiled a little, nodding, "Guess that's the best way I can make sure nothing happens."

"I wouldn't want anyone else watching my back," Nate breathed, his thumb brushing the wedding band on Hancock's finger. John sighed, finishing his cigarette and pressing the bud into the metal arm of the bench to stifle the burn before flicking the bud behind him.

"I just want to make sure you get to enjoy your retirement. Shaun will be grateful for the time," he explained and Nate nodded his understanding and agreement.

"I want nothing but to spend time with you two."

Shaun's cry surprised Nate and he turned around to look at his son who was sitting on the ground, holding his cheek, gaping up at Nat. "What was that?!"

"You can't just kiss me!"

"Oh no," Nate and Hancock both breathed and stood up to go to settle things before the girl threw another punch.

"I'm fine," Madelyn whispered and stood up, pushing against the bed and wall to give herself the leverage. MacCready stood beside her ready to catch her if something happened, but he gave her the chance to do it alone. "I'd say I've had worse, but that'd be a lie…."

Nate smirked, "Yeah, don't need you to start lying to me. I thought we had a good thing going."

Madelyn stumbled and both Nate and R.J. reached for her. Nate stopped, though, allowing the ex-mercenary to catch her under her elbows and stabilize her. He gave her a meaningful look she frowned at and Nate felt like he'd missed something.

"I think you need another day," the sniper said before Nate could speak up.

"We've lost contact with Trudy's diner," John spoke flatly, and both Madelyn and MacCready frowned.

"We don't have time," the squire breathed, "We need to get going and find out who is doing this."

"You're in no condition, Madelyn," Nate decided. "I'm going to go with John and some others and see if we can pick up a trail. I don't want us to go in groups of smaller than three. Last thing we need is someone to get caught alone and not having backup."

Hancock nodded his agreement and gave Madelyn's hair a quick rustle, "We'll be leaving in the morning. I assume you'll be sticking by her side, MacCready?"

"Always," he said easily, his hooded eyes trained on the girl with short breaks to look at the others. He was exhausted, probably hadn't slept the whole time Madelyn had been out. This would give him time to recuperate.

"I wish you'd take me," she said, her grey gaze meeting Nate's sky blue one. "I need to keep up my training if I'm going to get promoted."

"I haven't forgotten, Squire Dangerfield," he smiled, lying only a little. He hadn't forgotten she was his squire, at least, not really. He just didn't like the idea of treating her like a soldier all the time. He thought of her like family now. That meant he wanted to protect her, though, instead of lead her into danger.

"I love being out here with you, Sentinel, but I… I've been waiting for this promotion for too long," she explained, absently holding onto MacCready's jacket now for stability.

"Why hasn't Maxson let you get promoted? You obviously are talented," Hancock asked. "He's not that big a tool is he?"

Madelyn frowned at the name and Nate's brows tugged together, she looked like she wanted to comment, but she stopped herself. After a moment, she wet her lips and said, "To be fair, no squire's been promoted to knight before turning eighteen. As far as the Brotherhood knows I'm sixteen." She sighed, scrunching her nose, "I could see if he would allow me to become an Initiate since that rank is open to recruits fifteen and up, but squires get more perks."

"Like what?" MacCready asked suddenly, and she glanced at him.

"Oh, uh, Initiates generally get the short end of the stick when it comes to chores on the Prydwen, while squires are expected to do more menial tasks. This gives me more free time to study, and practice my combat skills. If I was an Initiate I would also be put on watch, and I can't stand standing around watching people be idiots," she added with a frown. "At least if I was a knight on watch I would have some respect. Initiates are even lower on the social totem pole than squires."

"Wow, sounds rough," Hancock frowned and Nate noticed MacCready's brows were furrowed. He wondered why the sniper was interested in the Brotherhood's expectations.

"I'm sure I'd get over it," she shrugged. "I just… I had a plan, you know? And I like when my plans… follow through."

"I understand, Maddy, but you can't get promoted if you're dead, and that's more likely to happen if you're not at your strongest," Nate explained.

"Okay," she relented and sighed. "I'll stay here."

"Good," the Sentinel patted her green head and she sighed, sitting down from exhaustion. "Get some rest. Both of you." He gave MacCready a pointed look. "You can stay here," he gestured to the bed.

"Thank you," R.J. said and Nate nodded.

"Ad Victoriam, Sentinel," Madelyn said and stood just long enough to salute him, her fist over her chest. He hadn't seen the gesture in so long it looked strange on her. She wasn't wearing anything remotely Brotherhood and with her green hair, no one could know she belonged to them.

"Get well, Squire," he ordered and saluted her back with the strongest snap he'd presented. His heels clicked together, and his back was straight, broadening his shoulders with a puff in his chest as his fist came to rest over his heart. She gazed at him with a comforted smile. She had needed to see him do this, he realized. The Brotherhood was her safety net, and after everything she'd been through, each little piece of it meant the world to her. An idea swam in his head, and he smiled at her. "Good night, Madelyn."

"Night, Nate."

"I think it's a good idea," John sighed, sitting down on the mattress beside Nate's. He had never slept in the bunkhouse. It took everything within him not to push his bed to the ghoul's so they could sleep like they did at home. Hancock could tell Nate wanted to be closer, so he patted the spot at his side and the General immediately switched beds. Shaun was already asleep on the other side of the room, having wanted some alone time after his embarrassment on the playground.

"Maddy would make a good knight," Nate said and John nodded, working the buttons open on the flannel the General wore. They weren't going to do anything, not here in the open where someone could just walk in and interrupt… or watch. Nate shuddered at the idea of someone watching him and John.

"She's young though," Hancock frowned, not wanting to use that excuse. It was a factor that would be brought up, no matter the relevance.

"She is, but she's smart. And I doubt she would be thrust right into battle. She would be trained with them, live weapons and the like," he waved a hand and then allowed John to removed the shirt from him. There was no one but Shaun on this level of the bunkhouse. The number of visitors had slowed down now that winter was coming.

"I know… I'm just being protective. I want the best for her." They both were feeling the affects.

"I do also. I think it would be good for her, though, if not just to see the Prydwen again. She's been away from it for… a month?" Nate lifted an eyebrow. How long had it been? It felt like longer, he felt like he'd had Madelyn with him since he left the Vault. But at the same time, he felt like he'd just picked her up yesterday. He remembered how he had assumed she would be annoying and childish. How wrong she'd made him.

"Yeah, about so, maybe a little longer," John sighed and smirked. "She was so cute in that squire's uniform and that switchblade."

"Tooth was a good gift for her, she could take out a Deathclaw with a well placed strike," Nate breathed and rested his head against Hancock's shoulder.

"She's come a long way in a short time."

"Then it's agreed, when we get back I'll make a trip to the Prydwen with her. I'll give Maxson an update in person, and explain our issue out here as well. I know he'll give us aid if only we can get more concrete information on what we're looking for."

"I'm behind you, no matter what," John said. Nate nodded and kissed the man's neck, then his shoulder, and rolled over into the bed, lightly tugging his lover down to settle into his arms on the thin bed. "What about MacCready?"

"I'll let him come if he wants to. He's not a fan of the Brotherhood so I imagine he'll sit this one out."

"Yeah, but… they seem a bit inseparable," John commented and Nate frowned in agreement. They were in the early stage of a strong relationship, he knew they could make it work, but they would also need to be able to separate and work fine apart. Especially if MacCready wasn't going to join the Brotherhood and remain close to her. Nate couldn't think of a time when he was lower ranked and able to see anyone other than Danse unless they were running missions. Civilians weren't really… allowed on the Prydwen, not unless it was for a short, guided visit. Of course now he had all the time in the world, and he was able to do pretty much whatever, so bringing MacCready with wouldn't be too difficult.

"If he wants he can come," he repeated and sighed. "I don't know what I'm going to say to Maxson. 'Hey, this is my friend MacCready. He's an ex-gunner and mercenary, but he's a Minuteman now, so it's okay. He's also dating Maddy and oh, he has a five-year-old son.' That will probably get him shot."

"Well, good thing he's so skinny, makes him a harder target."

"Not as skinny as you," Nate smirked, his hand running down the ghoul's side.

"Hah, some would call me 'sickly thin'."

"I like to think it gives you a sexy King of the Zombies look," the Sentinel smirked.

"Good night, Natie," he chuckled, kissing the scruff of the other man before closing his eyes.

"Night, John," the larger man nuzzled his face under the ghoul's chin and relaxed, allowing sleep to take over.