Teaching a Robot to Love

-Notes-

This takes place BEFORE the SS is given a room in the institute; otherwise this chapter would not make sense. Plus, I feel like the whole 'creation of synths' thing is glossed over in FO4. We pretty much get a little view on how machines assemble the parts, slap some skin on it, and dip it in the glorious blood bath to give it life but that's not really an explanation, especially about how they transplant memories. Not even on terminals. I was a little disappointed, so I fixed it. This is just my take on it.

p.s. I try to stay as factually consistent to the game as possible, so if I miss something, please point it out. You might've caught something I missed. Two eyes are better than one.

Chapter 4: Questions Questions Questions

"Ma'am, as you're aware I respect you and your decisions as the future leader of the Institute but this…" X6-88 trailed off as Sole dumped the umpteenth teddy bear into the sea of others she had decided would remain in Shaun's old baby room. "Is this really necessary?"

"Yes" Sole huffed, arms akimbo and evidently proud of her collection. "Do you think Shaun will like it?"

X6 remained silent, measuring the depth of teddy bears to about mid-shin. He placed both of his hands on either side of the doorway and met the glittering eyes of the expectant Sole. He finally spoke "…I do not think Father would find use in his current position for this many objects of trivial value."

Sole rolled her eyes then placed her palm on his chest to push him out of the room, herself in tow. "Not for Father, it's for child Shaun" she groaned, striding out of the entryway to her old house and into the daylight on the main street of Sanctuary Hills.

Within the few months that she had lived in the Commonwealth, she and Preston had managed to make quite an impressive settlement out of her old hometown. At first it was a little strange, coming back to where her old life used to be. Almost like she had subjected herself to some odd reality show. But now, there was now a throng of caravans that came through every few days at the stops built for them, and there was a permanent installment of little shops for the benefit of the town's current residents. It is hard to imagine that this place that was once a ghost town was now was bustling enough to rival Diamond City. The friends she had met along the way, before meeting X6-88, also seemed quite content with living here, in case they were ever needed on an adventure. She wasn't likely to change soon though.

Passing Cait who gave her a sly wink, Sole strode across the street to the adjacent house, looking for Preston. She was ready to help a settlement in need of assistance on the other end of the Commonwealth. X6 strode out behind her, laser rifle strapped at the ready.

He certainly had an intimidating presence. His posture was always lithe and straight, standing tall a few feet above, well, everybody except Strong and Danse. He was like a regal predator, silently stalking the streets, always on a mission. In addition, X6-88 was kind of like the friend that no one liked. Many a people went out of their way to avoid him, or immersed themselves in their tasks as he walked by. Kind of like when bosses used to walk through the cubicles at work back during pre-war times. They were all afraid of him. Afraid of the Institute. He was a manifestation of the "boogeyman." Sole was relieved that he didn't seem to mind it however, as he kept his eyes trained on her or their current objective. He wasn't out to make friends. At times she could almost swear he was proud of his courser status.

She rounded the corner where the door used to be, greeting a sweaty Sturges as he pounded away at fixing the holes in the dilapidated wall. Preston sat at the dining table, huddled over some scattered papers and a lamp for light. He was so engrossed in his work that he didn't even realize that walking outside would probably provide a better source of lighting. Probably was up all night, the workaholic he was.

Sole pulled out the chair and plopped down with a relaxed huff, folding her arms. X6 remained standing against the wall, blending in with the shadows.

"Hey Pres, got a settlement for me today that needs helping?" She grinned smugly, already knowing the answer.

Preston glanced up, casting her a half smile. "Murkwater has been having some troubles with mirelurks again. They just can't seem to get a good defense built up before the next batch of hatchlings grow up to attack them. After that, I got in a request that Warwick homestead has been having some trouble with Greenskins. I can mark it on your map" he detailed, flipping through some letters. There was a large circle connected with haphazardly drawn lines on Preston's map, presumably figuring out some sort of trade route between settlements.

Sole grimaced, "Ah, nothing I like more than wading through irradiated swamps with mutant crabs pinching my feet. Did you know we used to eat those things when they were little?" Preston snorted a single laugh through his nostrils in response. Sole continued leaning forward in her chair, "I actually have to go to Warwick for something else anyway, the guy there, um…Roger? Wanted me to tell you they are not ready to open their farm to settlers just yet." It was a lie of course. She had never even met Roger before but she didn't any miscellaneous Minutemen wandering in on the settlement interrupting her secret had to go there for the Institute.

Preston looked up exasperated from his papers, tossing down his pen. Probably more frustrated with another thing added to the list of things he had to worry about. He took off his hat and ran his hand through his short hair, "but the Minutemen provide protection in hopes they will open their doors for the greater good-"

"-good of the Commonwealth, yeah yeah I know. I'll talk to them okay?" Sole finished. Preston nodded and Sole stood up, motioning to X6 as she left the house. He silently followed. Preston's eyes trailed X6 as he left the room, partially surprised he had not noticed him before.

X6-88 and Sole started walking down the boulevard side-by-side, all ready to embark on their journey. "Alright, I am ready to see these genetically mutated plants Doctor Karlin talked about." Sole enthused to X6, when they were out of earshot of anyone. What kind of food would they be? Super big mutfruit plants? Enormous gourds?"

"Likewise. I would like you to be aware that many settlers are unfamiliar with coursers and will therefore most likely treat me as a human." He explained turning his sunglasses covered face towards her.

"Well that sure ply is useful you look as you do then huh?" She nudged his side playfully. No response. He was too good at his silent bodyguard thing. She decided it would be fun to tease him some more. "Are you sure you don't want to put on a disguise like Deacon? Maybe wear some pre-war tan suit or a leather Brahmin-skin getup?"

X6 turned his face away from her. Even if he could keep his face from expressing even an iota of emotion, his voice betrayed him once in a while.

"No…thank you. That would limit my… mobility."

Sole grinned deviously "Oh I don't know you should try on a sequin dress once in a while. I think you would be surprised to find out how roomy it is. All the mobility you will need."

She could practically see him internally grimacing, oh this was too good! Every little twitch of his head betrayed his façade of indifference, and she was watching.

"No…. Definitely no dresses. I do not think that is something you would want to see either ma'am." X6 flatly stated, voice trailing off. He purposefully did not meet her jovial eyes, searching for a reaction. That was something he would not grant her. Something he learned was easier to just play along with rather than ignore.

"Well I don't know about that. You might be hiding some pretty nice legs under there" she motioned toward the hem of his courser coat. "Do you have to build up muscle like the rest of us or do they just start you off with the body of a Greek god?" She flirted blatantly.

X6 cleared his throat, "I am built with the precision needed in my line of work ma'am. No one is made as a courser, we are handpicked and then undergo extensive training" X6 explained, pushing up his glasses with one hand, shifting his position. He only did that when she made him uncomfortable. Good. Too bad it wasn't as good of a reaction as she was hoping but it would have to do. Everything X6 did was so fascinating to Sole.

Back when she was a lawyer, her favorite moments in court where when she presented crucial information to the witness on the stand. She would watch them squirm and sweat. Even though it sounded terrible, there was something extremely satisfying knowing that she was able to cause such a change in people. She was able to dislodge them from their front of strength. She had to be dogmatic, or else she wouldn't have survived. That is why she continued to search for Shaun when most others would have given up. X6-88 was like another project, almost.

Even though X6 knew about her alliance with the Railroad, he was unaware that she held their beliefs a little closer than she did the Institute. When doing missions for them, she saw synths that had emotion. She saw choices they made willfully against their orders. To the naked eye, they were basically human. If the Institute couldn't control them, how could they control coursers so well? What was it that made regular synths defy direction? There was this giant gap in her understanding that bothered her quite a bit. It was why she continued to work with...Father. It sounded so odd addressing her son like so. But synths were the objects that everyone had different ideas about. The Brotherhood wanted to destroy them. The Institute wanted to use them. The Railroad wanted to free them. Yet none fully understood them. They kept those secrets locked up so tightly up in Advanced Systems that Sole had only managed to get meager answers whenever she had asked. It was infuriating. However, she was bound to understand synths, even if she had to go about it with a 'trial-and-error' approach. And what better way to do that with other than with her assigned synth bodyguard?

The two continued past the bridge of Sanctuary Hills until it was out of sight. It was time to begin the adventure.

The road to Warwick was miserable. They were only about a third of the way there and they had already been traveling for two days straight, barely resting. Occasionally they had been interrupted by a group of raiders in the hills or supermutants in the city, which had slowed them down considerably. It was particularly cumbersome for X6 as he not only had to fight off enemies, he also had to deal with Sole's incessant questions along the way.

"Were you always a courser?"

"Did you ever have a crush on anyone in the Institute?"

"Do you get to choose your own hairstyle or are they given to you?"

"Can synths catch viruses?"

So curious. Irritably so. It was if she did not fully grasp that he was a machine and not a human, but he made sure to remind her each and every time. Every mission he had ever been assigned to had gone fluidly. No one asked questions, it was in and out. Except now.

Shadows began to blend in with the ground as the dusk began to set. Sole was running low on energy and desperately needed a break, judging by the glazed look in her eyes. The two crossed under an overpass, passing a few abandoned cars along the way. It was nearing the end of Fall so the nights were starting to get chilly. X6 had often heard stories collected on pre-world database terminals about leaves that would change color and fall to the ground during this time of year. Now everything was dead. Always.

He watched Sole silently as she trudged on. She had not even noticed that he had slowed his pace considerably to match hers. Although she had needed a rest at least 17 hours ago, she kept silent and trudged on, not once complaining. Her dedication to the mission made him respect her even more. She put the future of the Institute far above her own needs. She was exactly the leader they needed. His chest swelled. Probably a conditioned release of semotion programmed to emit once he felt the Institute was in good hands, he reasoned. Nevertheless, her health was extremely important, for if she was not at her best, then she would be weakened in her duty. He tapped her on the back which caused her to cast her weary eyes towards him.

"Ma'am, there appears to be a hollowed out bus a few yards that way. We should rest a bit. You are not looking well."

She only offered a grunt of tired approval in response as she shifted her pack a few inches up her back.

When they got to the bus, X6 pulled open the egg-blue door and took the liberty of quickly disposing of the skeleton driver inside. He began unraveling a sleeping back from his pack. Sole wearily sat down in the bus doorway, letting out an exaggerated sigh of relief. She reached into her pack and took out a lamp to light. Sitting felt like heaven on her poor feet. Turning around, her eyes focused in on the yellow sleeping bad X6 had brought out. It lay closer to her near the rear and certainly looked very inviting. It suddenly registered that he had only taken out one bedding.

"What about you X6? Don't you need to sleep as well?" She turned her worried eyes towards him as he climbed around her into the bus and sat down against the wall, behind the driver's seat.

"Coursers in particular do need as much sleep to recharge as other synths do. I will gladly take the first shift." he offered monotonously.

Sole dismissively waved his offer away, scrunching up her nose as she crawled inside and shut the bus door.

"I don't think we will be bothered in here. Commonwealth critters don't have opposable thumbs to open doors, and raiders aren't known for traveling in this area." She moved the sleeping bad closer to where X6 was sitting and plopped down next to him as she began to strip off her armor and toss it aside. "Huh well I guess that answers my next question if you ever even slept or not."

"Yes. Nevertheless, once you fall asleep I will go out and sweep the area" he insisted, watching her struggle to take off her chest piece as the fire light from the lantern danced across his unreadable glasses. His thumb mindlessly stroked the barrel of his gun he had placed to the side.

Sole grunted, ripping off her chest piece with bravado, very pleased with herself. She tossed it to the side carelessly and turned around to find herself face-to-face with X6. He turned his face away once their eyes presumably met and Sole gingerly scooted up closer to him. Their shoulders were only a few inches apart. For a few minutes, the two sat in a comfortable silence, watching the flame dance in the lantern. This was a small bus.

It was eerily quiet at night. There were no crickets or owls filling the air with sound. There were no fireflies or streetlamps offering comfort in their glow. Everything was just...gone. It was truly the apocalypse. Sole turned her attention down to X6's hand which was resting on his right leg. Such a big hand. He was like her silent, stoic, robot bodyguard that kept her safe. She turned her hooded eyes towards his face, still groggy as the sleepiness started to catch up with her.

She twiddled her thumbs, "Hey X6, you know that room that I keep all the teddy bears in for Shaun?" She asked through a yawn.

He turned his face a fraction of an inch towards hers, probably just enough to watch her out of the corner of his eye. She couldn't tell with his glasses. He even kept them on at night. So mysterious.

She continued, "So I saw synths being made as-as adult humans. What happens to synth children? Do you have the capacity to age or do you just stay in this immortal constant state of which you were built?" She asked, genuinely curious. Synths were the greatest mystery to her. Back in her day, androids were just a distant dream. Humans could grasp parts of the idea but nowhere near the sophistication of the institute synths of today. If she wanted to know more, this was definitely her chance.

X6-88 sighed in resignation. Apparently she had no intention of taking advantage of the bed laid out for her or the seemingly safe armor of the car. Never takes advantage of the practical situation. Her curiosity even warded off her own sleep, he noticed, as she fought to open her heavily lidded eyes.

"No we do not age. That is a technology that the Institute is working on. The children you see walking around will be issued new bodies once an acceptable amount of time has passed, and their memories will be transferred." X6 explained. He stopped there because Sole seemed somehow closer than she was a second ago. He had acutely noticed that she had been slowly leaning towards him as they sat against the bus's metal walls. Head heavy from sleep, she was very close in his personal space, something that he had expressed aggravation towards in the past and something that she had dutifully ignored.

As he leaned forward to avoid an unintentional and very unprofessional head hug, Sole's head bobbed back up in retaliation. Her eyes turned serious and shifted to stare at the opposite end of the wall mindlessly. A realization began to dawn on her.

"That means that I will truly never get to raise my child." She trailed off, casting her eyes downward one again.

A silence enveloped them once again. Her voice echoed sadly through the barren walls of the automobile. If she was looking for comfort, she was looking for it in the wrong place. X6 didn't know how to provide emotional support to humans in all of their volatility. So he stayed silent. Maybe it was better this way? Some people preferred a hug while some preferred to be alone. Even though X6 didn't give her any words or sympathy or any kind displays of affection, his negligence to speak was oddly comforting. The life she had planned with Shaun and Nate was dead, and now she had to learn how to live in this world. Perhaps if she had someone to coddle her in her moments of weakness, she wouldn't have been here today. X6 helped her to be strong. Never validating her moments of weakness. It was almost as if he was letting her figure out her own path.

Within a few moments she turned her eyes back to him with a sad smile, ready to change focus. "Wow" she breathed "so you never had a childhood then either, or parents."

"No. the Institute is the only family I need." He replied bluntly. Or was it proudly? Everything was so difficult to tell when she was tired.

Sole yawned, stretching her arms well above her head. The blue vault suit fabric stretched against her skin. Flexible, but also insulated. It did well in providing her comfort during chilly nights such as this.

"That's so sad! Don't worry X6, I'll get you a teddy bear next time too. We can *yawn* make some new memories." Her last word was barely audible as her head plunked down on his shoulder, nestling in the crook of his neck. Apparently the space he had attempted to create between them had no meaning now.

"Ma'am, this is hardly the position to be sleeping in-" he trailed off when he heard her heavy breaths. She was already out. He couldn't imagine how comfortable his heavy leather coarser jacket could have been; a unified outfit to distinguish the elite agents from the mere soldiers. Not a pillow.

Moments like this made him feel uncertain about the future of the Institute. Sole was to be the future director, the embodiment of its ideals and prospects. However, she couldn't seem to grasp the core fact that synths were not human. She was too concerned with trying to apply human standards to his life. She seemed weak. Even though she could handle herself in a fight, outside the battlefield she seemed almost childish. All the constant touches and jokes, it was all very far from a relationship he had ever seen between a synth and a human. The most interactions he had between his superiors was to receive orders, rely information, provide security decal, or provide assistance. He was programmed to obey and act in the best interests of the Institute. Synths were creations. Robots built each with a specific purpose and all to serve their creators. Not for…compassion.

He removed his avisitors, placing them down onto the metal flooring next to him and glanced down at Sole. The fire danced off her plump lips and soft lashes. She seemed so very small without all of that armor. The small, young, mother that was next in line to be leader. She was an improbability, and he detested that. Spouts of strength were not to be confused with true courage. However, his position dictated that he needed to protect her. Regardless of his opinion, she was to become the next director.

Very quietly he squeezed an arm between her and the wall and with the other, grabbed her legs underneath her knees. He then turned her around so that she was lying on the sleeping bag instead. It was a tad challenging, considering the cramped space he had to work with. Quite amazingly, she didn't stir. As he was preparing himself for the night shift, a chunk of hair fell across her sleeping face. He silently reached across her sleeping figure and brushed it to the side. Realizing what he had done, he slowly withdrew his hand looking down at it incredulously. It wasn't as if that hair would particularly have bothered her in her sleep. Why did he do that? Flexing his fingers, He decided to brush it aside as he closed the door to the bus and took off into the night, looking for threats.

Besides, it was probably just a programming error or something.

(Edited)

I made a BIG mistake this chapter. Original versions had that X6 was built as a courser, but my second playthrough talking to Ayo I found out that they are actually handpicked for the job due to their excellence. I changed it to reflect in-game facts. Sorry for the epic fuckup.