Piper couldn't say anything looking into her blue-gray eyes. She was having a hard time breathing, let alone talking. They hadn't stood this close together since that night. The intensity of Alex's gaze made Piper want to kiss her. Every fiber of her being was screaming at her to do it.

Alex let go of her hand. She took a step toward Piper, placing her hand on her waist, and pulled Piper closer. Alex's eyes swept over her face, down to Piper's mouth then back to her eyes with a single blink. "Well?" She asked quietly.

Piper opened her mouth, but nothing intelligent came out. Her body refused to move, and she was desperately trying to make it work again. The woman's floral perfume and warmth were inebriating.

Alex's eyes were drawn to Piper's lips once more. "Piper, there's something I've been meaning to tell you." With another slow blink, Alex was staring into her eyes. The steel was highlighted in blue, and the depths of them were pulling Piper in. Alex was so close, she made her feel dazed. Piper couldn't look anywhere else, so she closed her eyes. She felt Alex lean into her and her breath on her lips.

The heavy metal door crashed into the wall causing them both to jump. "I'm home!" Nat dropped her bag unceremoniously next to the door with a loud thunk.

"Piper?" Danny shouted coming through the door behind Nat. "Ya home? It's important!"

Piper gave Alex an apologetic look. "I'm here," She called back to him. Letting go of Alex, she wove her way around the machines heading to the door. "Why are you home early?" Piper tried to ignore the ache in her body.

Danny pulled off his helmet, "Someone sabotaged the power generator at the school." Wiping the sweat from his face, he kept talking, "We've escorted all the kids home and the school is closed until we find who did it. We've closed the gates until we interview everyone."

Piper pulled Nat into a tight hug. "I'm so glad you're ok."

"I'm fine, it only caught on fire." She pushed Piper away.

Danny gave Piper a long look of warning. "Keep her home and inside until you hear from me." He looked around Piper, "Hey, Alex!"

"Blue!" Nat gave her a big grin. "I missed you!" Piper watched Nat's entire demeanor change as Alex walk right to her.

"Hey, kiddo." Alex gave her a hug. "I've missed you too and I'm glad you're safe."

"I'm good." Piper watched her sister hug her tightly. "You don't need to worry about me."

"I'll keep them out of trouble, Danny." Alex looked pointedly at Piper, "They're going to be staying with me. So, when you find out anything…"

Danny cleared his throat, "Yeah, no worries, Alex. As soon as we know, we'll come to talk to ya."

"Can you have the guys keep an eye on Publick Occurrences so that no one tries to burn it down?" Alex painted on a smile, "Let them know I've got some extra bottles of booze and cigars that can make it out of my private stash and into theirs. Since it's a personal favor and all."

Danny laughed, "That's my kind of bribery. It's not a problem Alex, we've got you guys covered."

Piper smiled at her in silent thanks. "Thanks, Danny. Means a lot to us."

"Thanks, Danny" Alex looked back at Piper while she talked, "Catch up with me tomorrow afternoon and I'll get you set up. I also got some stuff coming with the next group of Minutemen you guys can use in addition to that."

Piper threaded her brow together in question. "Like what?"

"Guns and people." Alex tucked the rag she was holding into her back pocket. "Local raiders are getting bolder, it's just a matter of time until they try and hit us here. Preston is on his way back here to meet with the Mayor. We think someone is feeding them information from the inside, but we don't know who it is. He wants to get people back into Diamond City as quickly as possible and work with your team. We'll get rid of the raiders and the mole." Alex rubbed her chest thinking. "We want to talk to the Mayor about Hangman's Alley too. We have some ideas we think he's going to like that will benefit everyone."

"Sounds great," Piper ran her hand through her hair. "And like a story." Piper knew how the Minutemen had gotten thrown out of Diamond City five years ago last time because of the last Mayor, McDonough, and the Children of Atom. It had gotten a lot of good people killed. Her friendship with Preston and Alex gave her the inside scoop on the efforts the Minutemen were making to keep people safe. The new Mayor, Thomas, was far more interested in keeping Diamond City safe than McDonough ever had been. Then again, he wasn't an Institute syth either. Preston, Alex, and Piper had all met with him in the past about the Minutemen's presence in the city. After her article came out, public opinion supported the Minutemen and the Mayor had tried to cozy up to Alex.

"We'll definitely come by tomorrow, Alex. Thanks for the heads up. We're ready for any help we can get."

"We think we know where they're coming from, Danny, and it's not far from here." Alex rolled her shoulder, giving a pained expression. "I'm not in any condition to go chasing them down right now and I'm not going to be much use to anyone until I heal." She smiled again at Danny, "So the best course of action is to get the guns in your hands and wait for Preston and the others to get here. You'll be better prepared, and it'll give Diamond City an advantage if they show up. We can make a plan to hit them when Preston and the others get in."

Danny nodded in agreement, "I need to get back." Danny put his helmet back on, "I'll brief the security team and let them know the Minutemen will be in town in the next few days. We'll get everything ready and clear out the old Minutemen bunk spaces too."

Piper waved to him, "Thanks for bringing Nat home, Danny."

"No worries, Piper." Danny pulled open the door to leave, "See ya tomorrow."

When the door shut, Piper locked it again.

"Are we really staying with you, Blue?" Nat looked from Piper to Alex.

Alex looked right at Piper, "You sure are, kiddo. Why don't you go grab everything you need so we don't have to come back for a few days."

Nat narrowed her eyes at them, "What about the paper? We're on a deadline."

Alex laughed with a wince, "You two are more alike every day." Alex gestured for Piper to explain, deferring to Piper for the answer.

"Well, we're still fixing the other press…" She paused watching Alex's amused face. "But I think Blue and I…"

"It will never get finished if I leave you two alone in the print room."

Alex laughed harder, this time she groaned out loud in pain. "Someone's got jokes," Her blush was instant.

Piper rolled her eyes, embarrassed, "Jesus, Natalie, seriously?"

"I am serious," Nat gave her an irritated look. "What's wrong with the press?"

"Motor went out finally." Alex dug into her front pocket, pulling out a small tin. "May I please get myself a glass of water?"

The pained look on her face made Piper worry again. "I'll get it for you."

She held the tin low so that she could open it with both hands and Nat scrutinized her. "What's wrong with your arm?"

Alex picked through the medication inside, pulling out two tablets. "I got shot a few days ago."

Nat made a disapproving sound, "I swear to god, Blue, if you die on us, I'll kick your ass."

Alex started chuckling, "You two are definitely sisters, that's for sure." Tears ran down her cheeks from the pain and her amusement. "Don't worry. I was planning to take some time off to heal in Diamond City for a while."

Nat looked skeptical, "Really? You're not just saying that?"

Piper turned off the tap and smiled looking at the glass. She quickly recovered while walking back to Alex.

"I was hoping for company while I hang out here." Alex took the glass from Piper, "Thank you." She placed the pills in her mouth and took a long drink. "Looks like I'll get my wish because I'm certainly not taking no for an answer."

"So, are we camping there?" Nat gave her a quizzical look, "Cause last time we were there you only had some concrete blocks and stuff."

"That was over two years ago, Nat. I've worked on it any time I've been in town." Alex smirked at her, "I've had some guys working on it for me while I'm away. They got caps and I got to run around the Commonwealth with your sister." Alex smiled at Piper.

"Go on, go get your stuff ready." Piper shooed the fifteen-year-old off. "And don't forget your toothbrush."

"I'm just warning you; this isn't going to take long." Nat walked to the back door, pulling it open. "Like less than ten minutes." Nat stopped just before walking through and gave them a disapproving look, "I really don't want to see any kissing. Cause that's just gross."

"Nat! Really? Just go get your stuff please." Piper noticed Alex blushing and wondered if her face was just as red.

"We should probably get that other press back up and running if you want to make your deadline." Alex started walking back to the machines without looking at her, "Did you have a spare motor?"

"I'm sorry about how she's acting, Blue." Piper knew she needed to have a grown-up conversation with Nat later. "I don't know what's gotten into her."

A devilish look crossed Alex's face as she started unscrewing the panel from the press. "So, for the record, you don't think kissing is gross?"

Piper felt her ears catch on fire. She cleared her throat as she went to the cabinet holding the spare parts. She could feel Alex watching her. "No, I don't." She answered quietly.

"Me either and at some point, neither will she." Alex removed the wires connecting the motor to the rest of the press. "Have you talked to her about it?"

Piper sighed thinking how to word her answer, "We've talked about a few things, and I let her ask me questions."

Alex kept her eyes on her work, "That's good."

She didn't want to bring up that some of the questions involved her and Alex. She dug through the replacement parts and put them all in a box. She carried them over to where Alex hung out of the printer frame loosening bolts on the motor mount. "Hey Piper, I'll need you to pull this thing out. I think we can run the new wires through the back. Will you take off that panel please?"

Alex handed her the screwdriver. Piper worked quickly to remove the panel and pull the old motor out. "So, what was it you wanted to tell me?"

Alex stayed silent for a few seconds. "I'll do that interview you wanted," she answered finally.

"That's great!" Piper lifted the new motor into position, letting Alex slide it in place. But she knew Alex wasn't telling her everything. "Was there anything else?"

Alex started bolting the new motor in. "It was Nat's birthday last month, right?"

Piper started plugging in the new wires. "Yeah, it was, why?"

Alex didn't look up from what she was doing. "Well, she is fifteen now and we have been teaching her how to shoot and fight. So, I retooled a ten-millimeter, just like yours for her. I wanted to ask you before I gave it to her." Alex finished bolting everything in and handed Piper the wrench. "You might want to check them."

Piper took the wrench, quietly checking each bolt.

"You aren't angry, are you?" Alex wiped the sweat from her face with the rag she was holding. "Let's check that it works before we close it up."

Piper cleared the tools they were using while Alex powered up the press, printing a test page. She handed it to Piper to check. Piper realized that she was avoiding the question and decided not to press the issue further. "I'm not angry, it's a useful gift. I appreciate you thinking about her like that."

"Thinking of who like what?" Nat asked throwing her bag next to the door. "It's stupidly hot in here."

Alex smirked, "Which is exactly why we shouldn't run the presses in this heat with the doors closed."

"I packed for you too, Piper." Nat walked over to where they were standing. "Is everything done? Or do you need my help?"

Piper took a second to light a cigarette. "I think we're all set," Piper locked the back door. "Blue, if you get the other press, I'll open the big door and we can head out."

They quickly finished setting up the presses and grabbed their things. It didn't take them long to walk down the path passed the Chapel and the Dugout Inn. They waited for Piper to finish smoking before Alex pulled her key out. Alex slid the key into the lock of the red door and pushed it open, holding it open for Piper and Nat.

The cool air that greeted them made Piper and Nat gasp in relief. "Oh, holy shit!" Nat dropped her bags to the floor looking around the interior.

"I'll second that." Piper let her bag slide off her shoulder.

Alex smiled brightly at their gawking faces. "How about we do the grand tour, and then we get some dinner?"

Piper slowly spun in a circle taking in the large room. The wood floors were covered in black carpets. From the entryway, the right side of the room had a small, unlit fireplace and two blue velvet club chairs that faced it. The fireplace and opposing walls had been built up into shelves lined with books, guns, and artifacts from around the Commonwealth.

The wall opposite of entry held a blue velvet couch, with a large painting of pre-war Fenway Park above it.

The wall shelves extended to the far-left wall that led to a small kitchen area. Overhead the wooden floor of the lofted space above had small ceiling fans that spun the cool air lazily. The vibe the sumptuous room gave off was very much a reflection of things she and Alex had talked about over the last few years.

"Did you buy every book that Myrna has?" Piper asked in wonder.

"How's it so nice in here?" Nat asked at the same time.

Alex chuckled. "We hooked up refrigeration units and ran the air intakes through it. This place is the test to see if it works. The guys will build more units if it does. So far, when it's on, it cools the place nicely." Alex walked to the bookshelf and pulled one of the books, handing it to Piper, "As far as the books go, think of it as a trade… I also have packed around a ton of books myself if you remember."

Piper read the title on the inside page of the ancient leatherbound book, 'On the Rights of Mankind: Generational Impacts of Protected Human Rights. A Legal Thesis by Alexandra Dare Sterling; JD'. Piper looked up from the book confused. "What's this for?"

"I figured you'd want to do some light reading while you're here." Alex winked at her. "For the next part of the tour, the loft. Where Piper will be staying." Alex pointed a finger up. "Nat, you can leave your bags here for now. Piper, you might want to bring your suitcase." Alex gestured for them to take the lead. "Ladies, first." Alex smiled as Nat bounded up the stairs.

Nat leaned over the loft opening and called down to her. "Oh my god, Piper. Come up here."

Piper walked up the stairs to the split-level loft. The lower section was a small bedroom, with a dresser, metal-framed bed, and nightstand.

A wooden wall closed the gap between the higher section and the bedroom. Piper climbed the next short staircase to the smaller loft.

The long wooden desk had space for both a typewriter and a terminal with space left over. Nat occupied the desk chair and was looking around in awe. Against the wooden wall was a file cabinet with a small radio, a modern-style floor lamp, and a worn black leather chair sitting over a large black rug.

"I hope you like it here," Alex said softly behind her.

"I don't even know what to say." Piper turned and hugged Alex carefully. She felt Alex's arm wrap around her body drawing them closer together. Piper closed her eyes, "Thank you, Blue." She felt Alex's heated breath on her neck and her stomach turned into a knot again. She wished Nat wasn't right next to her.

Nat spun the chair around in a circle. "What's up there?"

Alex cleared her throat and pulled away from Piper. "You should go look." Alex's hand trailed down her arm, to her hand. She caught it and squeezed it. "You should too."

Nat led them up the metal ladder, pushing open the heavy hatch.

"Hey, Nat, there's a chain to keep that door open," Alex called up to her.

"Got it!" Nat disappeared through the hole in the roof, reappearing to fix the door in place. "Oh wow."

Piper pulled herself through the opening and let out an exclamation of her own.

Nat took Alex's hand, pulling her through the gap. "How did you get the trailer up here?"

"Buffout, booze, a lot of cursing, and five guys with a good sense of humor from the Dugout," Alex said with a pained laugh. "The roof hatch leaks and I needed a way to fix it. Danny gave me the little trailer for saving his life. Plus, it's a nice way to come up in the shittier weather to enjoy a drink."

Nat walked out onto the roof and Piper slipped her hand into Alex's. She told the chain attaching the barbeque grill, three chairs, and table to the rooftop.

"I lost one of the chairs during a windstorm," Alex offered. "I haven't brought another one up yet. It's downstairs around the back."

"Why would we need a fourth chair?" Nat asked not noticing Alex's facial expressions change.

Alex closed her eyes and Piper watched her face become a mask, "For guests, maybe?" Alex let go of Piper's hand and started to climb back through the hatch. "Make sure to close the slider on the trailer and the hatch when you are finished here, please." She disappeared down the ladder the moment she finished talking.

"Could you possibly be more insensitive, Nat?" Piper glared at her sister waiting for her to realize her mistake.

Nat slid the trailer door shut, "Why are you mad? It was just a question."

Piper shook her head, "I don't understand your behavior today. First, you made rude comments about us. Then you make an insensitive comment about a fourth chair." Piper waved her hands at the chairs in frustration, "She hasn't been the same since her son died. Can't you just try and be just a little nicer, please?"

Nat glared right back at her, "I don't want to watch my sister kissing anyone. It's weird." Her hands were firmly planted on her hips. "And how am I supposed to know how she feels from lawn chairs? I don't know how you even made that leap!"

Piper took a deep breath to calm herself, "Ok, I see your point about the chairs. But show some compassion and don't make any more rude comments, especially about me and Blue."

"Alright, I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was being rude."

"Besides, we've never kissed so it's not like we would in front of you anyway." Piper mostly mumbled the comment to herself.

Nat gave her a doubtful look, "You expect me to believe that you haven't kissed her?"

Piper looked out the dirty window of the trailer annoyed, "Never."

"She's spent the night how many times? How hasn't it occurred to you that she likes you? For a minute, Nat just stared at her. "Are you dense?"

"Yikes, Nat." Piper looked at her sister's serious face and sighed, "Ok, probably a little."

Nat rolled her eyes, "Probably a lot." She shook her head at Piper, "It's crazy obvious you two love each other. Have you at least told her that?" Nat crossed her arms waiting for Piper's answer.

"No, I didn't…"

"Jesus Piper, spend the caps and by a clue. She put together a private office for you in her bedroom. You need to tell her before something else tries to eat her." Nat pulled Piper into a quick hug, "I love her too, Piper. I'll kick her ass if dies on us."

Piper laughed through a few involuntary tears. "Get in line." She pulled away and wiped her face with her t-shirt. "I'll tell her soon, darling. Don't worry."

"Tonight works," Nat prodded her. "I'll disappear after dinner." Nat brushed Piper's hair over her shoulders. "Besides I'm tired of listening to you cry yourself to sleep." Nat pulled the chain free and held open the hatch, "Let's go finish the tour 'cause I'm starving."

Piper climbed down the ladder and made her way to the bedroom, then down the stairs to the living room. Nat climbed down a few seconds behind her. Alex was sitting on the couch drinking a glass of bourbon. The tin of pills was sitting on the table in front of her along with an empty stimpak.

"Sorry it took so long; we were enjoying the view." She watched Alex down half the glass in a single pull. "How's the arm?"

Alex set the glass down and stood, "It gets better with the more alcohol and chems I ingest. Otherwise, it just hurts like hell." She chuckled at her own joke. "I think I overdid it today." She gestured to the hallway door, "Ready to continue the tour?"

Nat grabbed her bags and Alex opened the door for her. "After you." Alex smiled as the light from the other side of the door reflected on their faces. "I hope you both like neon."

Piper started to giggle at the sheer amount of neon lights. "Grognak, huh?"

Alex chucked, "After you told me you were looking for a few issues for 'research purposes' I knew the den needed a little splash of color." Alex stopped at the doorway just passed the hall and pulled open the door. "This is the only bathroom with a shower. I'll warn you now, when you pull the lever for the shower, make sure you're ready for the water or you'll drown."

Piper laughed, "Sounds like a story. Vault Dweller Drowns in Shower!" She moved her hand in an arc in the air to accentuate her joke.

"One that requires more alcohol to tell," Alex closed the door with a smirk. "Besides, I already promised I'd let you interview me. You'll have to pick your questions wisely, maybe you'll get two stories instead of one."

Nat wandered the entire large room looking at everything. Around the ceiling, were ten neon display signs. Everything from Mr. Pebbles to Jamaica Plain. On the walls lower down were comic book posters. In the back corner was a purple arcade cabinet. The neon lights traced the edges of the walls in shades of pink and purple. The side of the room with the blue exit was split in two. On the left side was a walled-off room with a separate entry.

On the right was a tall stand with several shelves with various alcohols and glasses on it. There was a small Nuka Cola vending machine and a jukebox.

On the opposite side of the big space was one large room with a small seating area and an open space.

"What's in there?" She pointed to the room back by the hallway.

"Open it and you'll see." Alex took Piper's hand and walked to the doorway. Together they watched Nat inspect the room. "You can arrange your stuff in here wherever you like."

"I get my own dresser and desk?" Nat looked back at them excitedly. She ran her hand over the metal framed bed, then sat on it. "Wow, is this soft!"

"I figured the paper would collapse if you both didn't have a place to work."

"Um, duh." Nat picked up a box wrapped in magazine paper.

Alex smiled at Piper again, "It's kind of obvious you two will both be journalists. I figured you'd need a workspace at home... I mean while you stay here." Alex shifted her weight as Piper watched her. "Besides, school's almost done and you're an adult. You need your privacy."

Piper couldn't help the smile she was wearing. It was obvious to her what Alex meant. She looked around the room and then at Alex, who was blushing. She also avoided looking at her.

Nat pulled at the red ribbon on the box, "What's this?"

"That is a month late birthday present for you. I'd planned on being here a little sooner… you should open it." Alex gave her an apologetic look as she took off the ribbon and peeled the paper off the box.

Nat opened the box and took out the heavy bundle wrapped in an oiled cloth. She unwound it to reveal a ten-millimeter pistol. "Make sure to keep the cloth lightly oiled when you store it."

"You're actually giving me my own gun?" Nat looked directly at Piper, "I thought you said I was a hazard to humanity' and wasn't allowed to have one."

"You've never seen your sister in a gunfight. Preston calls her 'the Smokin' Death' for a reason."

Nat rewrapped the gun in the cloth, chuckling.

Piper laughed at the comment. "I'm not the one that likes blowing them up with explosive rounds."

"I keep telling you, it's therapy." Alex let go of Piper and pulled out two keychains from her pocket.

"Here, take these. You're welcome to stay as long as you like, and I want you to treat everything like it's yours." Alex caught Nat's hand as she took the key, "Feel free to have your friends over too."

Nat hugged her. "Thank you for everything, Blue." She looked at the bed again and a big grin formed on her face. "I can't believe I have my own space!"

"I'm glad you like it. Oh, and in the top drawer of your desk are some holotapes with games on them if you get bored." Alex looked around the seating area. "There's one last thing," She walked to where the couch was and kicked the carpeting back revealing another hatch. "If shit goes South, go through this hatch. There are guns, food, and water. I have three bags set up. The hatch dogs, so no one will get through here once you lock it. You can get out through the tunnels under the city."

Alex kicked the carpeting back into place. "You two get comfy, I'll go check on the shop and get us dinner. You can fight over who gets to shower first while I'm gone."