3 months previously.
Gage grew irate as he paced from each side of the main entrance to Nuka Town, his emerald green skewing the wastelands before him for any sign of movement. It had grown dark and Gage wasn't keen on that, because that meant something had gone terribly wrong. "Where in the fuck.." he hissed, quickly halting as dark figure ran towards the entrance before collapsing to the ground shortly before Gage and a few other raiders who had been standing out with him. Gage's eye narrowed as he stared in dismay at only Dusty, who was bloodied and gasping for breath.
"Ghouls.. everywhere… I lost them Gage.. I lost them both, I'm sorry!" he pleaded. All sound slowly turned into a loud ringing that echoed in Gage's head. He watched Dusty's lips, but heard no sound as the world started spiraling out of control. A gut wrenching feeling buried itself into Gage's stomache and pushed itself up into his chest and spread through his veins.
"Where.. is… she.." he hissed, the words spewing out like poison daggers at Dusty. Dusty quickly caught himself in his throat, the swallow loud enough for Gage to hear it. "I don't know Gage.. I lost he-" but before he finished, Gage had cracked his steel toe into the side of Dusty's head, a loud grisly sound echoing past the walls. The look of death had taken over Gage's features, his eye dilated and blank with no expression. His breathing grew rigid and with one swoop he pulled up his rifle and let out a loud holler. Within minutes many raiders were surrounding Gage, all with their guns holstered to their sides. "Fucking find her!" he ordered, the loud cheer and screams coming from the raiders, who were more than please to wreak havoc on the wastelands while locating her. The raiders all grabbed up their items and quickly ran after Gage into the dark of the wastelands.
Present.
Aerostolia had awoken the next morning with a 'special' mission to travel to Diamond City. She had readied her gear and pulled her outfit together, her hair tied back into a loose ponytail to top her look. A small sigh left her lips as she picked up the folder from Proctor Quinlan once more and read over a few of the parts she'd need to purchase from one of the stores. "Okay.. So you're dropping me off right? So I don't have to travel the whole way?" she murmured. Quinlan gave a small nod before adding, "But remember we can only drop you outside of the gate. Getting back is all on you, the vertibird will be needed for some other missions."
Aerostolia only sighed and gave a small nod before she left the room and made her way down the corridors she had come to know so well in the past 3 months. Her eyes were looming to the ground when she bumped into someone, causing her to topple back before catching herself. "Oh! I'm so sor-" she started as she was yanked down into a hug from Danse himself. "You better come back in one piece." He muttered below his breath, his grip refusing to release her. "You know I will." She chuckled, looking up into her Paladin's eyes before planting a tender kiss to the base of his jaw line. "I need to get going or I'll miss my ride." She cooed gently, which was quickly returned with by an unseen kiss from Danse.
"I mean it.." he said softly.
Aerostolia gave a small nod then walked past Danse and out of the large door that lead her out to the bridge of the Prydwen. She gasped at the rather chill air, pulling her coat a tad tighter to her body. She quickly pulled her scarf up over he mouth and walked over to the vertibird, hanging in its glider. She gave one final look to the door of the Prydwen before pulling herself up onto the vertibird, her breath held in her throat as the copter descended to the ground below. Many buildings rushed past the vertibird and it only showed how glorious the wastelands had been at one point. Some buildings reached straight into the skies, while others just blossomed with beautiful architecture. The vertibird made its final round as it lowered to the street just outside of Diamond City. Aerostolia gave a nod to the pilot then made her way up to the large gate that hid the city, her brow arching at the raven haired girl who was yelling into a speaker.
"I'm serious let me in! You can't lock me out, I live here!" she yelled back to the voice who was taunting her. "You know I can't do that Piper! You made the mayor mad!"
"By writing?! What happened to freedom of speech?!" she yelled, before her gaze fell back to Aerostolia. "Hey!" she said softly, "Who are you? Are you trying to get into Diamond City?" she asked quietly. Aerostolia's eyes never moved, but under a much gentle tone she quirped, "I don't think that's really anyone's business.."
"Hey no harm. Just go with it.." she cooed before turning back to the speaker, "What's that? You're a trader you say? You hear that? You gonna turn away a trader who might have some things we need?" Piper retorted to the speaker, in which a long sigh came from. A buzz was sounded as the large gate lifted to the entrance of the city, Aerostolia's eyes widening at the sight before her. "Wow.." she added quietly.
"Hey thanks for going with it." Piper said to Aerostolia, "I'm Piper by the way. I would like to ask you a few questions sometimes, whenever you're free just stop by the Publik Occurrence." She smiled and waved, before running into the city. Aerostolia watched her bolt off, a little dumbfounded by the overly friendly attitude of this girl. She only sighed and walked inside, her eyes gleaming down the stairs into the city. Aerostolia froze and quickly dropped to her knees, her eyes flickering at the sight.
Calm down…
Her breathing grew rapid as her chest tightened and quickly she jumped up and bolted down the stairs, into the back alley of Diamond City. She dropped to her knees at the corner that lead into the backs of the city, raining dripping down from the sky and across the surface of the buildings. Aerostolia gasped as the rain hit her skin and dropped down her hair, her eyes gliding across the ground.
Why is this place.. So familiar.. ?
She sat up, then leaned back into the building, letting her eyes fall close as she listened to the sound of the rain, which soon put her into a trance like state.
"I will never let anyone hurt you.. Do you understand? If you have to run, then run."
Nick leaned over and brushed a few strands of hair from Aerostolia's face before leaning over and planting a gentle kiss to her temple. "I could never forgive myself or anyone, if they hurt you.."
Why would he hurt her?..
Aerostolia glanced up to Nick's face, tears streaking her cheeks as she pieced that this could be the last she ever saw of him. "You can't just leave me.." she pleaded, her fingers gripping tightly to the fabric of his shirt.
"I will always be here.. Just call for me.."
Aerostolia gasped and sat up quickly, her eyes darting around the smaller room she was in. Confused, she glanced down at the oddly familiar bed,running her fingers along the soft fabric, her eyes casting across the room to a younger woman who was sitting by Piper and talking. "Excuse me?" Aerostolia stuttered, which was returned with a few gasps as Ellie and Piper rushed to her side.
"Oh man, we didn't think you'd wake up!" Piper said quietly, gently rubbing at her brows. Ellie only sighed and sat in a chair beside the bed, before giving Aerostolia a small smile.
"I was walking with Piper and we noticed you passed out on the side walk… So we brought you here.. Mr. Valentine is out right now, he had a case to piece together, but he'll be back first thing in the morning, if you don't mind waiting to meet him. I'm sure he could use some help with cases and I had asked him to pick you up something to eat..." Ellie added sweetly. Aerostolia froze and stared blankly at Ellie, her eyes wide as if she had seen a ghost. Piper noticed this and gently nudged Ellie, her brow arching slenderly.
"Are you okay?" she questioned. Aerostolia only shook her and let out a sharp breath she had been holding for the majority of the time.
"Valentine?..." She asked quietly, "Nick… Valentine?" Ellie and Piper glanced to each other then back at Aerostolia, their eyes full of worry and confusion. Ellie had a strange look take over the features of her face before she quickly got up and walked into the other room, scouring through many files in her drawers.
Piper on the other hand, sat on the edge of the bed by Aerostolia and watched her, almost unnervingly. "You okay?" Piper asked quietly, only to receive a look from Aerostolia.
"Did she say.. Nick Valentine?" Aerostolia asked. Almost on queue Ellie gasped from the next room and called to Piper, who turned to Aerostolia and lifted her finger to indicate '1 minute.' She quickly bolted into the next room and whispered to Ellie who was pointing at a file on the desk, her eyes wide with confusion. Piper only stared blankly at the file before the two of them turned their gazes back to Aerostolia.
"We can't let her know or run her off. We need her to stay the night.." Ellie whispered. Piper only nodded in accordance, as they had only ever wanted the best for Valentine and walked to the door at the front of the Agency, practically standing watch while her eyes locked onto Aerostolia, who was staring bewildered at the two females. She inhaled sharply as a hot feeling spread through her chest, causing her lungs to tighten and for her to gasp a few times for breath.
"Please tell me what's going on!" Aerostolia demanded. Ellie let out a small shrill cry at the yell from the smaller female, then quickly walked herself over to the bed with a bottle of purified water.
"Here please drink this.. If you stay until morning, I will tell you everything… I swear.." her eyes pleaded as her hands clutched the bottle and then handed it to Aerostolia. Begrudgingly she dropped back onto the bed and flipped onto her side, her eyes locked onto the articles and papers hanging from the wall. She quickly shut her eyes, drowning out any and all noise that was emitting from the outside world around her.
1…
All she had to do was force herself to sleep until tomorrow.. That wouldn't be so hard right?
2….3…..4…5…
What was going to happen to her? Danse wouldn't be happy that's for sure… But who cares right?.. She needed.. Gage..
27….28…29…
Mile stone after mile stone of her accomplishment in the commonwealth.. Why couldn't she think of those to distract herself? Why was it so hard to sleep?!
78….79…
Please just be morning already…
145….146…
From the opposite side of the room, a door had creaked open followed by the heavy footsteps of… Who? That wasn't Piper.. She was much tinier and dainty, they couldn't be her steps. Then..
"Hey Ellie. Hey Piper."
Electricity rammed through her veins at the soft boston accent. Her body quickly tensed as her ears perked back at that voice. No… She quickly sat up and flashed her eyes open to the wall. It was much darker in the house now and all you could see were the faint glows from the small candles that were scattered about the agency. Aerostolia quickly glanced at the wall that was separating the room she was in, from whomever was just beyond it. Her body started shaking as she felt her breaths grow rapid and more shallow. Not this again. Not panic. She quickly stood up, her ears making out just barely what Ellie was whispering to Piper and the other voice.
"Nick… You are not going to believe this.." she cooed as she had assumingly pointed to the room Aerostolia was in.
Nick flickered his glowing yellow eyes to Ellie, then folded his arms across his broad chest. "Now come on, you know I don't like surprises." He mumbled as he walked himself back to his room. He pulled up one of the candles and used it to light up a cigarette he had pulled from his pocket, before popping it past his lips. Nick made a soft whirring sound as his mechanics moved and he turned the corner, his eyes focusing on the shadowed silhouette of the smaller female.
"Oh hey stranger. I didn't realize we had company." He laughed, only to notice Ellie and Piper's gaze from beside him. He quickly silenced and looked between the two, his features changing to that of discomfort. He abruptly walked forward into the room and sat the candle on the table before leaning against it, his eyes locked onto the smaller female, who very slowly raised her head, her electric glowing eyes locking onto that of the yellow ones. Nick's cigarette dropped from his lips and hit the floor, his expression changing and becoming much more difficult to read.
"I-It can't be…." He said quietly, before dropping to his knees in front of the smaller synth. He slowly reached one hand out, his eyes studying every visual aspect of her features. It was her. "Aerostolia?" Nick asked, his voice becoming higher as he waited for her to speak. "Please… say something.. Please.." he begged.
Aerostolia stared at him in bewilderment. She couldn't process what was happening. She couldn't understand. "No…." she mumbled, which caused Ellie and Piper to run by her side.
"Aerostolia please listen, I told you I would tell you and I know this will be hard to believe, but this is Nick Valentine… He's your husband.." Ellie said quietly. Aerostolia stared at Ellie then quickly jumped up from her spot and ran past everyone, with Nick following shortly behind her. She swung the door open then bolted form the agency and into the rain, her breaths shallow and rigid as she desperately tried to escape..
But why was she running? Isn't this what she had wanted? To know who he was?
Aerostolia yelped as her foot caught an uneven landing of wood, causing her to topple forward. She braced herself for impact, which never came as a strong hand had snatched her wrist and yanked her back into a small thud against the taller male's chest.
"Don't run please! I just got you back! Please talk to me!" Nick pleaded, his grip tight on her wrist. Aerostolia only panicked and stared at Nick, trying hard to yank her hand from his grip.
"Get off me! Let go!" she screamed as tears streaked her face, colliding with the rain that was already dampening it.
"No! Speak to me Aerostolia! I am begging you!" He yelled, before yanking her tight against his chest. And oddly enough, she felt her body simmer and her breathing relax. How could he..
"I don't.. I don't remember you.. please let me go.. All I will do is hurt you. I'm begging you to let me leave.." she whimpered, her body shaking with the small sobs. Nick frowned and gently pulled her against his chest, the metallic hand of his sliding across her spine.
"I will never let you leave again…. I can help you.. Trust me.." he cooed, as his other hand gently ran up the back of her neck to nestle in the confines of her soft hair. Aerostolia swallowed hard and let her hues meet with Nick's her face like that of a wounded puppy.
"I'm… I'm scared.." she whimpered. Nick frowned and gently cupped her face, before leaning forward to plant a gentle kiss to her forehead.
The smell of cigarettes and the wasteland…
Nick gently bent down, his arms sliding across the back of her knees to scoop her up easily into his arms. Aerostolia encircled her arms around his neck and pressed against him, her eyes shutting tightly as she tried to wish herself awake. Only when she had opened her eyes and they were back in Nick's house, did she realize she was already awake.
Nick walked back into the room Aerostolia was in and over to the couch had sat her on, with a cup of hot tea. "Here, it's your favourite." He smiled, proud of himself for remembering his dearly beloved's favourite things. Ellie and Piper were sitting on the other couch watching her intently as she took the cup and stared down into it. A small warmth filled her chest as she raised the cup and lightly blew on it before taking a small sip. A small smile tugged at the corner of Aerostolia's lips, causing an even larger one to take over Nick's face. "Is it good? The way you like it?" he asked. Aerostolia only glanced at him, taking notice in how happy he looked, it made her sad. To think she had been the source of this man's happiness and she couldn't even imagine how long she'd been gone.
"It's perfect.. thank you." She whispered quietly, her eyes lost in the small cup. Ellie gently nudged Piper, who nodded.
Both quickly arose from their chairs with Ellie adding, "We are going to go out for a bit. Let you two catch up." And with that her and Piper had left the agency, leaving Nick and Aerostolia alone. Nick frowned and slowly sat up, before sitting beside Aerostolia, his eyes unmoving from her face.
"Where were you?.." he asked.
Aerostolia froze at this question. She swallowed hard, her hands shaking against the cup she tried so delicately to hold. She gasped as Nick's hands reached out and laid across hers to steady her drink. "Please…. Where did you go?.. Did you even.. Did you even try to find me?.." he asked in a wounded voice.
Aerostolia jolted up and stared over at Nick, her eyes wide and glassy. "I…. I can't remember…" she added quietly. Nick gently pulled the cup from her hands and sat it atop the table before them, then turned to face Aerostolia.
"Do you remember the accident?" he asked quietly, which caused Aerostolia to panic and quickly shut her eyes. Nick noticed this and only moved closer, before gently encircling his arms around her small frame, giving her a gentle tug against his chest. He watched her carefully and slowly lowered himself back into the couch, being careful as he lightly pulled her on top of him, her head soon resting on his chest. He exhaled softly and slid his fingers across her shoulders, his face full of sadness as he watched the woman he loved, fighting with demons in her head.
"I.. I was killed by.. by debris wasn't I?" she said quietly. Nick only swallowed and watched her features, before giving a very small nod to her.
"Yes.. You were.." he said quietly.
"So how am I here?" she said in more of a mutter. "I woke up in a station alone.. You.. You weren't there.." she fell quiet, her eyes falling to the floor. Nick quickly perched himself up on one arm, keeping her held tightly to him.
"No! I didn't leave you!" he yelled, which caused Aerostolia to jump back slightly. "I'm sorry.." he swallowed, "But I didn't leave you… Call it selfish but I begged them… to give you back to me…. I'm sorry Aerostolia.. I'm the reason.. that you're a synth…" Aerostolia's eyes quickly shot up and locked onto Nick's. She stared at him hard, but couldn't process what to even say.
"Why…" she mumbled, her brows furrowed in frustration.
"Because I loved you… I still do.. You were the best to ever happen to me.. We went on a case and I begged you to stay home but you wanted to help me.." he laughed slightly at this, "You always wanted to help… then.. Then the building collapsed above us and I tried to get to you.. I begged you to run! You just.. You sat there and I watched as the woman I had devoted my meaningless life to, died in front of me.. I couldn't handle the guilt.. And so I took you to Doctor Amari.. I begged her to give you back to me.. I didn't care in what way, but I couldn't give you up Aerostolia.. You were the only thing in this world that was ever mine.. And she did. She brought you back. I couldn't have been more ecstatic. But then you stared at us like monsters. You were confused and ran. I lost you in the storm… For 20 years… I sat and waited.. hoping you'd come back.." Aerostolia slowly sat back, her eyes locked onto Nick as she tried to process what he had said. 20 years? She had been gone that long?
"20…" she started, which was cut short by Nick's hands gently sliding across her cheeks.
"I missed you…" he frowned. If he could cry, she could tell he would've been. The hurt that stuck on his face, was enough to break her heart. Aerostolia only leaned forward and gently slid her finger across Nick's lips. Soft.. Human like.. Just like the dream.. or maybe memory she had, had. Aerostolia quickly closed the distance between the two, her mind racing with a million things, but only one right now she needed to confirm. She lightly pressed her lips against Nick's who was clearly surprised, but had instantly wrapped his arms around her waist to pull her tightly against him for a deeper one. She gasped and laid into his chest, a soft whine leaving her mouth as his tongue prodded against the seam of her lips. She whimpered and lightly parted her lips, purring as the male's pushed past her mouth and danced across the crevasses of her mouth.
After a few short minutes Aerostolia pulled back and glanced into Nick's eyes before a memory hit the front of her mind.
"You won't ever just up and vanish on me, will ya?" he said quietly, his hue slowly making it's way to Aerostolia's face. She looked at Gage silently and perplexed, before parting her lips to speak.
"What reason would I have?" but she knew the look on Gage's face. She knew all too well he was thinking of this Nick character.
"Gage.. if you're asking about Nick.." she said. Gage quickly sat up, his eye drilled into her as he awaited her response. "As much as I wish I could understand my memories, I won't leave. I don't know who this Nick is. Or even where he is for that matter. As much as I know, he could very well be dead. Right now I'm here with you and so long as you do me no wrong I will loyally follow you anywhere in the wastelands."
Gage watched her features carefully, before letting out a small sigh which was followed by a light smile. "I had hoped you'd say that Princess.. And I believe you.. I believe you won't leave.." he whispered as he reached up to Aerostolia's throat, his fingers quickly unlatching the collar with ease.
Aerostolia quickly sat up, her eyes lowered to the ground as she thought of Gage and how kind he had been to her even though it had only been a few days. Then she thought back to Danse, who was probably just as worried. Nick, noticing the look on her face frowned and reached his hand up to lightly caress her cheek. "What is it Aerostolia?"
"Nick.. There is a lot you need to know about me… Like firstly… I have a Master who hasn't seen me in 3 months and a Paladin who has fallen for me on the prydwen.." She whispered quietly, unwavering her glance. Nick froze at this and slowly pulled his hand back before letting out a small sigh. "I can't be mad.. You didn't remember me after all or even where you were.. But you're here now and that's what's impo-" He was quickly cut short by Aerostolia who had interrupted him mid sentence.
"No. They are probably worried sick and searching these wastelands for me..Nick.. Please understand.. I am not the same girl you fell in love with.. I can't even remember a thing about our marriage.. I need to go find Gage.. I have to be sure he's okay." She said quietly. Nick only stared at her in disbelief, the obvious heat ache sheer across his face.
"Aerostolia I am begging you not to leave.. If you do I will follow you into the wasteland and I will find you.. I cannot lose you again.. You're all I have in this life that was ever truly mine.."
Aerostolia frowned and gave a brief nod, sliding her legs over the edge of the couch to sit up properly. "I'm tired.. We should turn in for the night and do some catching up tomorrow." She said softly. Nick quickly sat up, a broad smile on his face and gave her a quick nod.
"Sounds good." He said softly. Aerostolia lied on the couch for minutes after Nick had made his way back to the room and told her to join shortly. She was trying to pass time and when she felt enough had passed she slowly tip toed to the back room where she saw Nick, snoozing on the bed with his hat over his face. She sighed softly and quickly approached the bed, grabbing her bag and boots before tip toeing to the door. "I am so sorry Nick…" she mumbled before creaking the door open and wandering out into Diamond City. Aerostolia had wandered over to a bench and was quickly pulling her boots on. She strung them up then yanked up her bag and bolted off to the stairway that lead out of the city, hoping that no one would notice her.
Aerostolia wandered out of the city and past the gates, before glancing back briefly. She let out a large breath and turned back to the ruined city, her eyes glancing around the destruction of the buildings. "Here we go.." She mumbled as she stepped forward and walked out into the city.
"Okay so we checked here and here.." Gage mumbled as he scratched out yet again another marker off the map. He looked up quickly and glanced around his surroundings. Out of the many raiders that had left with him in the last 3 months, only very few remained, including himself.
"Sir what about rerouting to Diamond City and just walking along the route?" said one of the female raiders. 2 of the males nodded and agreed with her, as all they wanted was for Gage to calm down. He had searched 3 months for Aerostolia. Many men had died along the way and Gage had nearly lost his life a multitude of times. He let out a loud groan and glanced back at the map, his finger trailing over one of the roads from Diamond City. "We have checked there several fucking times and if one more of ya tell me to do it the fuck again ima knock you out." He hissed, his words like poison.
"Sir I understand but think about it, if she needed to stock up she'd have gone back there and you can't say it isn't worth a try.." Gage glanced up at the female raider and quickly bit into his tongue to restrain himself. He stood up and yanked up his rifle, his green eye bright and piercing through the grime and blood covering his face and outfit. "Pack up we're heading out." He hissed, before glancing back down to the map at the Diamond City marker.
"I'm coming, Princess.."
"A.N"
Thanks for sticking through and still reading if you are :D I'd really appreciate any feedback or ideas for the story^^ 3
