Zero's eyebrows raise and she seems to blush.
"N-no! We're not together in that way! We're just… Partners!" Zero quickly says shaking her hands
"I see. So you're in love with him, But he's not in love with you." Jo bluntly states
Zero's cheeks become redder.
"I'm- I'm not in love with him! He's just a really good friend that's all!" Zero clearly wants to avoid the topic but Jo continues.
"I see. So you wouldn't mind if I pursued him?"
Zero has a dumbfounded look and she begins to fumble for her words.
"W-well, I-I mean, you could! But I'm not sure Nick would, I mean, you're both synths so I guess you should, b-but-!"
Jo stops Zero
"Zero."
"Yeah?"
"I'm screwing with you. I'm not interested in Nick. Just wanted to see your reaction."
Zero stares at Jo before taking a deep breath and falling backwards onto the grass.
"Okay. Yeah. You caught me. I'm in love with Nick. So what about it?"
"What does it feel like?" Jo asks
Zero raises a brow before staring up at the stars again.
"When you realize you're in love. Everything seems to stop. And you feel like you're the only two people in the world," She explains while sighing deeply "But… It hurts when you know that person will never feel the same way about you."
"Never?" Jo asks
"Nick… Has a complicated past. I can't really go into details." Zero rubs the back of her neck
"I know what you mean. I felt the way when I saw your friend, Preston." Jo says softly
Zero sits up quickly with a huge smile on her face.
"Preston? You like Preston Garvey? That's amazing! Come on, I think he's still up, we gotta get you two to know each other-!" Zero's arm is yanked back by Jo.
"Hey, what-?" Zero begins
"He wouldn't be interested." Jo states
"What do you mean? You never know, you know?"
"Because…" The real reason was because Jo knew wooing Preston Garvey wasn't part of the mission. Her mission was to befriend and eliminate Zero. Jo thought it over for a moment before a light went off in her head.
"Because, I'm a synth. I'm an Institute synth. Preston wouldn't be interested in that."
Zero raises a brow and scoffs
"Hey, I've known Preston for a long time, I know he wouldn't care about that. As long as you're a good person with good intentions. He'll like you."
A good person with good intentions? Jo was neither.
"I suppose. So how come you don't take your own advice?" Jo claims
Zero is taken aback by the statement.
"I told you why. Nick, he's complicated. It just wouldn't work between us." Zero sighs
"Perhaps, but, would it hurt to try?" Jo asks
"In all honesty? Yes."
"Why is that?"
"He'd look at me different if he knew the way I felt about him. It would ruin our friendship."
"And how do you know that? Can you tell the future?"
"N-no… I just. I don't want to take any chances, okay?"
"I guess I won't take any chances with Preston then."
"Huh? I told you-"
"How can you be sure he won't judge me for being an Institute synth, hm?"
"Look, just drop it okay?"
"Not until you explain your contradictions."
"What do you want from me? Why are you so insistent on how my life goes? We just met."
"Because I know about you, Zero. You're the general of the minutemen, you gave a light of hope for the people in this wasteland, you made them believe there was something in this cruel world to fight for. And someone who isn't afraid to take on the Institute shouldn't be afraid of their own feelings. That's just illogical."
Zero was deathly silent for what felt like a long time.
"Either you let Nick know how you feel, or you wait around for someone to snatch him up before you do; Then regret it for the rest of your life. It's your choice." Jo finishes
Zero takes a deep breath and sighs.
"Let's make a deal," Zero begins "You get along with Preston, and… I'll tell Nick."
Jo gives a soft smile and nods. Zero begins to laugh.
"Let's hope this doesn't blow up in my face."