Note: This was delayed for no good reason. Expect at least one more chapter before the end. I want to wrap this up for other projects. (Also hate the opening but the ending turned out okay.) (minor edits)

The final attempt. She'd been waiting for the opportunity to get into the Institute for ages now, and it was all coming to a head.

"...Hey, Ruby?"

The people of the Hills were gathered around the workshop area, some sitting, some standing; the companions she'd dragged from the corners of the wasteland were in attendance. Even Cait, who was obviously bored out of her mind and playing a knife across her fingers to alleviate the condition, had come to the meeting.

"Ruby," MacCready repeated.

Ruby glanced at them, her eyes going around the assembled people, before turning to MacCready. She held up one finger, not saying a word to him, before returning to her conversation with Sturges. "So what you're saying," she asked the mechanic, "is that we're going to have to take the back way in and it's chock full of radiation?"

"Well, yeah," Sturges said, his hands on his hips. "It's the underwater access. Ain't much else we can do, General."

She rubbed her face and blinked, glancing up at Danse. "Guess that means power armor," she said. "I'll have to repair the T-60."

Danse nodded, staring down at the rest of the group. "Agreed," he said. "Power armor may be uncomfortable, but it's unnecessary to expose yourself to any more radiation. You remember the Glowing Sea, Ruiz."

She made a face. "Yeah, but..."

"You won't make a very pretty ghoul," Hancock put in, sitting on the edge of the roof above them. "Listen to Big Iron. He knows the drill."

Ruby glanced up at the ghoul, then sighed and scratched her forehead. Even if she hated wearing the suit, it really was better not to risk it. The last time...

She grimaced. That fight with Danse had made her forget the danger of the Glowing Sea. Once she'd stormed off, walking back through the Sea on her lonesome, she'd realized how dumb that was. And by the time she'd scraped herself across the wasteland floor back to the Hills, she'd used every last bit of Rad-Away she owned. Spent the next few days sicker than a dog anytime she'd moved; not to mention the nauseating Vertibird ride up to the Prydwen and the added gut-churning betrayal of Maxson's orders...

"Ruby," MacCready hissed again, trying to catch her attention.

Ruby nodded at Sturges, then turned to face MacCready. "Yeah," she asked, shooting him a tired look.

"I still want to come with you," he said, stubbornly. "It'd be better if I was there to watch your back."

A collection of groans from around the "War Cabinet" sounded, as Ruby shut her eyes and breathed out. Again―she fought the urge to snap. The third time he'd asked, so far. She'd brushed off the first two times, but...

"Didn't you get the message the first time?" Hancock called down, clearly amused at the scenario. "C'mon, brother. You know why you aren't going."

"I didn't ask y―" MacCready said, looking up at the ghoul from underneath his hat. He tilted his hat back on his head gave Hancock an annoyed look.

"Don't be dumb," Piper put in, suddenly. Ruby looked up at the woman, surprised that she was interjecting. She'd been excited to hear the news of the... relationship progress, but she'd not been very pushy about details. That was surprising in of itself, given Piper's proclivity for investigating things.

Ruby knew that she'd ignored the woman too often, lately. Felt bad for that, had promised her an exclusive if she survived the assault on the Institute. "Piper?" she asked, her eyebrows drawn together.

Piper stared at her for a moment with a patient smile on her face, then looked to MacCready. "Look, you got your reasons for wanting to go. I won't say they aren't good reasons, but you..." she looked away, choking up a little. "You just can't risk it, okay? There's more than your feelings at stake here, MacCready."

"I want to help, not sit around on my as―butt, waiting for something to happen!" the ex-Gunner sniped. "I'm the best damn shot in this whole outfit, and you know it. Why shouldn't I go?"

"Maybe the best," Cait shot back, her tone annoyed, "but this lot ain't getting a ride from the boss, now are we?"

"Cait!" Ruby sputtered. If anyone would be brutally honest―and profane, but that was really one of Cait's charms―she would always bet on the surly woman. Ruby's face flushed with blood, though. Hearing it said aloud made it so much more...

"The nature of your relationship is of concern to the outcome of our mission," Danse said, sounding uncomfortable. "You know this. Do not rush to waste your life."

Ruby glanced at Danse, swiftly. His face showed no trace of the discomfort, a veneer that held all his stubborn nature in one expression. She fought the urge to laugh at that, trying to collect herself to deal with MacCready.

Before she could say anything, Hancock spoke up. "No matter what's going on around here, you got your kid. No one's letting that slide, brother."

MacCready open his mouth to speak, but Hancock interrupted him. "Can't have you acting stupid when shit's going down," he added, staring at the man with an indecipherable expression on his face. "Not to mention your knack for making things worse."

MacCready immediately protested against the point, but―and Ruby was even more surprised at this―Preston stepped forward, put a hand on MacCready's shoulder, and said something to him in a low voice. Ruby didn't catch all of the words, but she gathered that Preston was telling MacCready to leave this part to the people who had earned their chance to fight.

"You have helped," Preston said, quietly. "You've kept us on our toes, and been a backbone for the General. Everyone who goes against the Institute, goes because they want to protect the people of the Commonwealth. You were able to help that happen. Thank you, MacCready."

MacCready stood there, deathly still, his face turning red. He opened and shut his mouth once, shot an angry look at Ruby, then turned on one heel and walked away. His grumbling could be heard for a moment longer, before Ruby rubbed her eye and turned back to the group. "Okay..."

"Let him go," Cait said, staring after him. "When the rest of us are pushin' daisies, he'll sing a different tune."

Ruby stared at the Irish woman for a time, letting exhaustion take over her face. Might as well soldier through it, she told herself. "Cait, you're on guard duty outside the Hills."

Cait looked up, dropping the knife into her palm and nodding. "I'll mind the babies," she said, motioning toward the direction that MacCready had gone. "Want me to watch the big one, too?"

Ruby ignored her jab and moved onto the next issue. "Hancock?" She looked up at the bottom of his boots, questioningly.

"I'm on the road," he said, dismissively. "Watching for stragglers with the girl scout."

Piper scoffed at him. "Yeah, Blue, we'll be out there waiting for your leftovers," she put in, crossing her arms and looking annoyed.

"Alright." Ruby looked around for a moment. "Danse, you'll be with me down the rabbit hole. Preston, you're squaring up the Minutemen for when we get to the teleporter, yeah?"

"The Minutemen will relay in the moment you get the teleporter under our control. Sturges should be able to handle most of it, from there." Preston nodded to the mechanic.

"Just find me a terminal and I'll be on it," Sturges confirmed, nodding.

"Nick and Dogmeat will be..." Ruby looked around. "Where is Nick?"

"Diamond City," Piper answered. "Said something about a case. I'll take Dogmeat with me, if that's alright."

"It's fine," Ruby said, dismissively. Was a bit disappointed the detective wasn't around, but, well, if he had been there, he'd have shut down MacCready swiftly after the attempt to wheedle an in. She should have realized he was missing―her mind was all over the place trying to get this operation started―

"Preston," she said, looking to him. "you've already debriefed everyone who'll be joining us inside, right?"

"Yes, ma'am," he said, smiling gently. "We're ready and waiting. You should..." His eyes trailed off into the Hills, toward the south. "Handle the household before giving the order."

"Yeah, I know. We'll leave as soon as I can get my armor in good condition, okay? Until then, everyone..." She shook her head. "Get ready. I'll be back as soon as I can." She moved behind the house, Danse following her.

"Do you require my assistance, Ruiz?" he asked gently, once the two were out of earshot of the group.

"You'll only make it worse," she muttered, looking around for MacCready. Started walking toward the bridge, a sour look coming over her face.

"Yes," Danse replied, but he chuckled. "MacCready will understand, if you allow me to speak to him. I can promise you that."

Ruby stopped and looked up at the ex-soldier. "Well, whatever, fine," she said, aggravated. "Go stir up shit."

Danse smiled, nodded to her and stomped off. Ruby rolled her eyes at his back and walked back toward the armor station, cataloging what needed repaired.

Good luck, she thought.

He found the ex-Gunner hiding under the lee of the bridge, a spot that kept him out of the public eye but not completely undetectable. Danse approached the man, walking along the edge of the water. "MacCready," he said, nodding at him. The smile he'd given Ruiz was gone, replaced by a serious expression.

"What the hell do you want?" MacCready spat back, his hat down over his eyes and arms crossed as he leaned onto a support pole for the bridge.

"You know exactly why I came to talk to you," Danse replied, not bothering to hide his annoyance. "And if you wish me to toss you into the creek again, I will oblige." He gave the man a pointed look.

"Whatever," MacCready said, irately looking away from him. "Why do you care?"

"Respecting Ruiz's wishes is far more important than whatever goal you think you are achieving by fighting her decision," Danse stated, looking down at him. "Arguing with her is not going to win the battle against the Institute, MacCready. You confessed that your son was not where you'd implied and that has caused this to happen. For once, can you not understand that your behavior reflects on―"

"I don't give a f―no. I don't give a fuck, tin can," MacCready's said. He had given up censoring himself. Danse's eyebrows shot up. "I should be there with her. Not you. I―"

"You think I won't protect her?" Danse retorted, speaking over him. "You are a fool, MacCready, but you are not that stupid. Do not act in such a way to belie your intelligence."

"You don't know how I feel," MacCready said, scoffing. "You can't feel. You're just―you were made to fuck with people. Everything you do―"

"MacCready, you have yet to give me a reason to truly harm you," Danse boomed, glaring at him. "We have discussed my nature. I am content with it; Ruby is content with it. Stop using this as a means to insult me."

"I don't have to accept you, just because she does!" the man snarled, dropping his hands to his side and clenching them into fists.

"Well, I do," Danse shot back. "I was expressly ask to tolerate your existence, because she felt that it was in your best interests for me to do so."

MacCready made an irritated noise. "We can't all be ass-kissers, now can we," he said, snippily.

"If you feel my tempered behavior toward you is an attempt mollify Ruiz, then you are sorely―"

"It's all for show!" MacCready moved forward, stepping up and jabbing Danse with a finger. "You've done nothing but try to get in her good graces―sucking up and making yourself look like a damn saint!"

"You don't seem to understand, MacCready." Danse grabbed his collar, gripping him firmly as he pulled him to his face. "I don't have the confidence you have, that I will be accepted without question. I am not human, MacCready! I must prove myself every single time, so that I may continue to exist! Can you comprehend how thin that line is? How quickly everything could come to a halt?! Can you?"

MacCready winced under the grip and Danse released him. "If you persist to take for granted your privilege in being part of this group, you will find yourself in a more dire situation," he stated, very nearly furious. "I cannot help you, if you do not attempt to understand that Ruiz is looking out for you. She cares that much, that she wants you alive to raise your son. You'd do best to listen to her."

"You―you don't know what it's like―" MacCready adjusted his collar, staring daggers at him. "You can't feel―you were programmed to act human, but you don't know how to be anything but an asshole Brotherhood soldier! You don't get―"

"That may be the case," Danse interrupted, his voice becoming deadly quiet. "But I would rather be anything but a grown man throwing childish tantrums because he hasn't gotten his way. The whole of this situation is ridiculous, MacCready. You are not a man, either, if you cannot act in a way to prove otherwise."

"You don't get it," he muttered, to himself.

"I may not understand how close to humanity I am actually am, but at least I try to embody something other than immaturity. You must trust that the rest of us are doing our best to stay positive, and your antics are causing Ruiz embarrassment and annoyance." Danse's hands clenched, the rubber of his gloves squeaking. "You are deliberately hurting her, MacCready. I warned you."

MacCready's face turned a slight red shade, and he looked away. "Same as ever," he mumbled.

"We will take down the Institute. Ruiz is more combat-capable now, than she has ever been. That is thanks to you, MacCready. Do you recognize that she's appreciative?"

The man nodded, after a slight pause. "Yeah," he said, sullenly.

"When we return..." Danse straightened himself out. "I will leave. I will no longer be needed. The threat of the Institute is greater than others; I have confidence that Ruiz and the others―including you―can handle the aftermath. Is that satisfactory to you?"

MacCready turned his eyes onto Danse's, searching his face. "And if she doesn't come back?" he asked, his voice low and slightly shaken.

"Then no one comes back. I will stand with Ruiz until the end. You know this. No one in this world has accepted me for everything that I am, not even my own. I will not betray Ruiz's trust." Danse stared at the top of MacCready's hat. "If you cannot trust that I will do everything in my power to bring her back―"

MacCready said something under his breath, and Danse narrowed his eyes at his tone. "I will not allow her to come to grievous harm. You may think as you wish, but you are not joining us on this mission. You will go to your son, and you will thank God that you have a chance to see him again. Do you understand me?"

MacCready only looked out over the water, his face a stony mask of indifference. Danse shook his head. "Maybe my words would come better from her, but you know this is the truth. I have never lied to you."

"No," MacCready said, quietly. "You haven't. But you don't have as much to lose if she―"

"I did not get my way. Is that what you want me to say? I am in love with her." The ex-Gunner's face contorted in a nasty way, but Danse continued. "She does not love me as she loves you. I―" Danse cringed, to say it aloud. "I know how she truly feels, MacCready. I know that she feels I am her friend, the best of friends even, and I do know that she's put me through more agony than you can imagine. She sacrificed herself for my well-being―speaking out against Elder Maxson, in order to save my life―" Danse felt himself getting frustrated. "I do not know how much of my memory is truth. Ruiz has helped me to deal with that. And I know that what esteem I've garnered from Ruiz is worth what I do to remain in her shadow!"

MacCready said nothing for a moment, staring at him. Danse could feel his heart racing under the chest piece of his armor, could feel his hands shaking even though he clenched his hands as tightly as possible. His lips were thin as he pressed them together, eyes open to a slit on the young man.

"Even if I will never have the sort of... relationship that you enjoy," Danse said, slowly, carefully, "I will do everything in my power to keep her safe. That is a fact."

The ex-Gunner shrugged one shoulder, then, turning away from him and staring at the power lines in the west. "Fine," he said, quietly.

"You will tell her goodbye," Danse started.

"Yeah, don't be dumb," MacCready sighed.

"And you will not mention this conversation to her," he added.

"Secret's safe with me," MacCready told him.

"...I will return to the settlement and tell Ruiz that you are behaving much more amenable to her plans. I suggest you take a moment to compose yourself, then join us." Danse turned and started walking away. "We'll be waiting."

As the power armor began to clank, his legs propelling him away from the man and the bridge, Danse felt an odd sort of relief. His heart slowed to its normal rate, and he could feel the adrenaline disappearing. Still shook, slightly, when he raised his hands and ran them along the rubber seal of his power armor. But...

Danse chuckled under his breath, rubbing his chin and staring at the workshop area as he approached it. It was amazing he'd even been able to persuade the man. His last attempt to speak with MacCready was a disaster, compared to this.

"How bad is it?" Ruiz asked him, not looking up as she repaired her armor. Her mood was tetchy, and her words sharp.

"MacCready has come to understand the reason he cannot go, and has indicated he will show team spirit." Danse glanced over the armor, seeing her work. Ruiz had cleaned the rust from her arm plating, showing the dark metal underneath. She'd painted a Minuteman logo on the chest plate, and replaced the busted lamp in the helmet.

"Ow!" Ruiz said, jerking her hand back from the leg plating. "He did what!" she blurted out, staring up at Danse.

"He'll come to say his goodbyes before we leave," Danse continued, knowing she'd heard him.

Ruiz stared at him, her dark eyes searching his face as MacCready's had. After a time, she dropped the gazed and went back to repairing the leg plating. "Alright," she said, quietly.

Danse waited with her until MacCready did return to say goodbye, then stalked off into the Hills. He felt satisfied that he was able to manage the situation better than he ever had before.

Maybe Ruiz' acumen for speech was rubbing off on him. He smiled to himself, starting a patrol of the east side of the settlement. It would not be a bad outcome. He had held his own against her, far more easily than before.

His mood dampened a little, however. He would still feel the same love for her. Airing the emotions made it easier for him to come to terms with what had happened; his loss was MacCready's gain, and officially letting go of what he'd hoped for had appeased his conscience. He would not expect any more fighting between himself and MacCready, if the man knew that he had nothing to fear. Danse had been successful in his effort to convince the man of that.

And though he had told MacCready he would leave after the Institute was gone, the chance of that happening was low. He had nowhere to go, and Ruiz would be upset if he said he should depart. The tactic was not a lie, nor was it a perfect truth. MacCready would just have to learn to hold his own against persuasion better―

The man was lucky he had Ruiz to look out for him. Danse turned himself away from the Hills and walked along the water, his brow settling into fine lines.

The heart wants what it wants, he told himself. Even if it wants for something it cannot have.