"Ah, home sweet home," Nick said as they entered the old stadium.
"If we're lookin' for some action, I'll bet we'll find it here," Cait looked around the stadium.
"What kind of action are you expecting?" Piper rolled her eyes, "The most that usually happens around here is the brahmin gets loose."
"Just point me to the nearest bar and I'll get somethin' started."
"Oh no, Cait," Piper took her arm which Cait pulled away, "We are going to help Lillian get her son back."
"And why the hell should I do that?"
"Because we got you out of that shit hole."
"I coulda left any time I wanted to."
"Uh huh, sure."
"Why don't you ladies get settled and then come see me in my office," Nick said, "I need to check in with Ellie." Nick descended the stairs with Piper, Lillian, and Cait following.
"Right, so let's get you set up here, Cait," Piper led them to her house.
"What, you think I'm bunking up with you?" Cait scoffed.
"Hey, I have room!" Piper said, "Just don't steal my stuff."
"Pfft, like you have anything worth taking."
"Hey! Lillian!" MacCready ran up before they entered Piper's home. "Good, you're back!"
"And you're still here," Lillian was surprised, but couldn't help but smile. She hoped she'd see him again before he left.
"Yeah, caravan's staying here for the night," he said.
"So what'd you do with her caps?" Piper asked.
"Come see," MacCready grinned and took Lillian's hand, leading her towards the market. She looked back at Piper and Cait who followed. He led them to a door and handed Lillian a key. "Behold, your new home."
"Uh, what?" Lillian stared at him, still holding the key. He chuckled, took the key back and unlocked the door.
"Well, I thought you'd like somewhere to call your own that's a bit more central," he opened the door and ushered her in, "Then you don't have to rent a room at the Dugout, or go all the way back to Sanctuary."
"Geez, this has been on the market for ages," Piper followed, impressed, "I wouldn't have thought she had enough caps. Uh, no offense, Lil."
"None taken, but yeah, how'd you manage?" Lillian looked around. There was a ratty couch against the wall and wooden stairs leading to another small level above.
"Took a bit of doing, but managed to talk Geneva up at the mayor's place into a lower price," MacCready gestured for them to follow. There was more to the place than she thought. Around the corner was a corridor that led to a curtained off area. He pulled the curtain to the side, hooking it up to the wall. Behind it was another room with a bed and another curtain to the left. "So that Abbott guy is going to fix up some plumbing and put in a bath for you here," he pointed to the other curtain.
"Wait, you convinced him to do that?" Piper's eyes widened.
"Well, after I did a paint run for him. Nearly got ambushed. And I, uh, may have said you'd get more paint for him later, but it shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"So when's the wedding?" Cait sat on the bed and bounced a few times as they all stared at her. "What? No way you're doing this for nothing."
"I'm not," MacCready frowned a bit, "She helped me and I'm giving back."
"Giving back with my caps," Lillian smirked, "But this is amazing, you really didn't need to do this."
"No, but I thought it might help."
"Jesus, I'm going to be sick," Cait stood up, "Where's the drinks?"
"We have to go see Nick first," Piper stated.
"But-"
"We go see Nick, then I'll buy the drinks, okay?" Piper grimaced slightly as she knew she was going to say goodbye to most of her caps.
"Well what are we waiting for?" Cait beelined for the door as Lillian, Piper, and MacCready followed. Piper had to guide Cait away from the market stalls as they passed through. Lillian stopped briefly to greet Arturo and to tell him the bow and arrows he made for her worked well.
"Glad to hear it!" he said, "And I hope it will help you find your son."
"Let's go!" Cait said impatiently.
"Oh my god, will you- Wait, Jimmy!" Piper called out to Jimmy who had just finished eating at the noodle stand. "Can you take Cait to the Dugout?"
"What? Why?" he asked, "I have things to do."
"Yeah, yeah, just buy her a drink and keep her out of trouble, will you?"
He sighed, annoyed. "Fine, but you owe me!"
"Always," Piper pushed Cait towards Jimmy, "Just don't get too smashed!" She turned to Lillian and MacCready. "Well, shall we?"
They entered Nick's office to find Ellie lecturing him. "And what were you thinking going in there alone? You're lucky you're not human or it could have been so much worse!"
"Careful or I'll start thinking you care," Nick joked.
"Shall we come back later?" Piper grinned.
"Oh, thank you for getting him back!" Ellie whirled around and looked like she was about to hug Piper and Lillian, but held back. "I know we didn't discuss any sort of reward, but I can offer some caps."
"Thanks, but I think you'll be getting them back once we discuss your going rate," Lillian said, looking over at Nick.
"You know, I think we'll call it even," Nick smiled at her, "If it weren't for you, I'd still be locked up in that old vault for who knows how long. Anyway, you said your son was missing. Why don't you sit down and tell me everything you can."
Lillian sat down and started to explain everything. The day the bombs dropped, running to the vault, and watching these strangers kill Nate and take Shaun. "I just don't understand why they would take my baby!" she cried as MacCready squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
"Hm, good question, and why your child in particular?" Nick leaned back in his chair, "A baby needs a lot of care so who would be willing to take on that responsibility? Did they say anything?"
"One came right up to me and said, 'At least we still got the backup'."
"'The backup'? I don't know what that could mean." Nick thought for a moment. "And you were in a vault so that's a lot of obstacles to get one person. And how did they know you were down there? So this isn't a random kidnapping. Whoever took your kid had an agenda."
"My money's on the Institute," Piper spoke up.
"A lot of groups out there who take people. Raiders aren't that organized, and it certainly wasn't super mutants, they lack the brains. Gunners could do it, but I don't see a reason why they would take a baby."
"So it's the Institute then?" asked MacCready, "But what would they do with a baby? And why Lillian's?"
"That's the thing, I can't think of a reason why," Nick turned back to Lillian, "Can you give me a description of the people who took your son?"
"There was one in some sort of hazmat suit, a woman, it sounded like. But she was fully covered so it could be anyone. But the other..." Lillian's voice faltered and Piper took her hand. "The man who killed Nate, he was the one who called me 'the backup'. Bald head, scar across his left eye, had some sort of metal brace on his arm."
"Wait," Nick suddenly leaned forward on the desk, "You didn't hear the name 'Kellogg' at all, did you?"
"Oh yeah, he told me his name, his social security number, and even gave me his phone number," Lillian scoffed.
"All right, calm down. Ellie, what do we have on Kellogg?"
Ellie hurried over to a filing cabinet and rifled through it until she pulled out a battered folder. "Let's see, physical description matches. Reputation for dangerous mercenary work, but no confirmed employer."
"And he had that house over in the west stands, didn't he?"
"Yes, and had a young boy with him, about ten years old."
"Wait, he's here?" Lillian felt anxious.
"No, not anymore. Disappeared a while back," Nick stood up and paced for a moment. "I don't know who the kid was, come to think of it. Just assumed it was his son or something."
"Well, it can't be Shaun because he's less than a year old."
"Less than a year old when he was taken, but it could be possible you were on ice for another decade before being let out," Nick said slowly.
Lillian gaped at him. That had never occurred to her. She'd been asking everyone she could about her baby but what if he was older? What if she already saw him and just walked on by?
"Look, how about you and I take a gander at Kellogg's last known whereabouts," Nick interrupted her thoughts. "I know this is a lot to take in right now, but maybe we can snoop out where he went."
Lillian nodded and followed him out of the office. That kid seen with Kellogg couldn't be Shaun. What would a mercenary do with an infant? The man didn't seem to be much of the paternal type.
"Listen," Nick lowered his voice as they walked through the alley, "I should warn you that everything I've dug up on Kellogg is bad news."
"Why don't I know about this?" Piper interrupted.
"Kellogg left just before you and Nat arrived," Nick shrugged, "Went quiet for a while, but I did hear things that sounded like his MO. Don't know who he works for, but he's a professional. Quick, clean, thorough. Has no enemies, except for our new friend here." He gestured to Lillian.
"So why would he kidnap a baby and leave one of the parents alive?" asked MacCready.
"I don't know," said Nick as they headed up some stairs to the stands, "Seems risky to me, unless he wasn't counting on you being released."
"But everyone else was dead when I got out," Lillian said quietly, "I don't understand."
"Hopefully we'll get some answers in here," Nick led them to a shack and bent down to peer at the lock. "Hm, could ask for a key, but I think I could get it open. Just stand watch, will you? Don't think security will take too kindly to breaking into houses, even if they are abandoned."
Lillian, Piper, and MacCready stood near the railing to make it look like they were socializing, though no security guards seemed to notice them. A few moments later, Nick grumbled in frustration.
"Damn, it's a tough one, any of you want to have a go?"
Lillian took off her backpack and took out a small lockpicking kit.
"Where did you find that?" asked MacCready.
"At the library," she said, taking out a couple of the picks, "Forgot I had it until just now." She knelt down at the door and had it opened within a couple of minutes.
"Damn, Blue, you have nimble fingers, I mean, where did you learn to do that?" Piper said quickly, her cheeks flushing red.
"My granddad taught me. Said I might need to know how to pick a lock one day," she packed up her lockpicking kit and sighed. "Guess he was right."
They entered the house, which seemed strangely small. How could this man even have a child here, let alone a baby? Lillian ran her fingers along some dust on a desk while Piper wandered upstairs. Nick looked closely at the wall and tapped it.
"This sound strange to you?" he asked, tapping it again. Lillian shrugged.
"Hey, what's this?" MacCready pointed to a big red button under the desk and pressed it. The wall Nick had tapped slid open to reveal a hidden room full of food and supplies. They entered the room to search, but didn't find anything out of the ordinary.
Nick picked up a cigarette butt from an ashtray. "You know, some dogs can still be used for tracking, if you happen to have one."
"Sort of, but I don't think he'll be much help," Lillian said then explained what had happened to Canigou.
"Hm, and the last dog I met that could track is long gone. Borrowed him from a caravaner some time ago," Nick put the cigarette back down. "Well, there doesn't seem to be any further clues here."
"So we're at a dead end?" Lillian's heart plunged.
"No, I was thinking we could go up that vault, see if there are any clues there," Nick said, "I know you aren't keen on returning, but if you're okay with me having a look…"
"Um, sure, it's just… the others are still down there."
"The others?"
"Neighbours, friends, my–" Lillian stopped.
"I understand," Nick nodded, "I promise I will conduct the investigation with the utmost respect."
"I'll go too," Piper added, "I mean, sometimes you need a second pair of eyes, eh Nicky?"
"It's Lillian's call."
"That's fine, anything to help get my baby back."
"Okay, well, let's call it in for the day and head out tomorrow morning," Nick said, "I'll meet you two in front of Piper's."
"Well, let's go see if Cait's left the Dugout still standing," Piper led the way out.
When they arrived at the Dugout Inn, Cait was clearly already drunk and had Jimmy backed into a corner, looking terrified with his glasses slightly askew. The bartender, Vadim, was watching in amusement.
"No, no, lemme show ya how we do it at the Combat Zone," Cait slurred.
"Piper, help," Jimmy pleaded.
"What, you need a girl to help?" Cait wavered slightly, "C'mooonnn, fight like a man!"
"Jimmy's not a fighter, Cait," Piper stepped in between them.
"Well, 'e should learn," Cait backed off and turned towards the bar as Jimmy quietly escaped. "Get us another!"
"I think you've had enough," Piper stopped her.
"You're not my mother!" she tried to push Piper away, but missed and stumbled past her. Piper rolled her eyes and helped Cait over to a table, then called over the waitress, Scarlett.
"Can we get three beers and a water, please."
"Who's the lightweight drinking water?" Cait scoffed.
"You, Cait, because you've had enough alcohol tonight."
Cait swore and crossed her arms, sulking. She eyed the beers Scarlett placed on the table and scowled when Piper pushed the bottle of water towards her.
"I'm not sure I should have this," Lillian said, tapping the side of her beer.
"I will!" Cait reached out but Piper slapped her hand away.
"If anyone deserves a drink, it's you, Blue," Piper pushed the beer another inch closer to Lillian.
"I don't think one more beer is going to hurt anyone," Lillian handed the beer to Cait who eagerly started drinking.
Piper shook her head then turned to MacCready. "You've been quiet."
"Hm? Oh, yeah," he replied absent-mindedly.
"Not going to let us in on where you're off to?" she pried.
"Maybe later," he said quietly.
"Leave him alone," Lillian snapped, then turned to MacCready. "What time are they heading out tomorrow?"
"By seven, the guy said."
"Okay, so we better not be out too late," Lillian took out her Pipboy to set the alarm, "I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted."
"Why don't you two get accommodated in your new place and I'll babysit Cait," Piper said, looking over at Cait who was now helping herself to MacCready's beer.
Lillian and MacCready agreed and left the Dugout to her new home. Maybe not home, but at least somewhere she could have to herself. She dropped her backpack beside the couch and looked around. It could be okay with some decorating, she supposed. She turned back to the couch to see MacCready sitting with his head in his hands.
"You okay?" she sat next to him.
He nodded slowly and raised his head. "Do you think he'll hate me?" he asked quietly.
"Who?"
"Duncan."
"Why would he hate you?"
"Because I took so long to get the cure for him." His eyes suddenly widened as he looked at her. "What if he's– What if I'm too late?"
Lillian took his hand. "I'm sure he's there waiting for you." She squeezed his hand. "But… if he isn't… then you do what you need to do."
MacCready nodded slowly and sniffed. "I'll sleep here," he gestured to the couch.
"Okay, but I'm fine if you want to share the bed," she said.
"No, I just want to be alone."
"Sure. I'll see you in the morning." She hesitated then quickly leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "Everything will be okay."
He smiled slightly and nodded as she stood to head back to her curtained-off bedroom. She sat on her bed, feeling sullen for MacCready. What if he did go home and find his son had already succumbed to his illness? Or what if Duncan was alive and the cure worked?
She then felt guilty for not wanting him to leave, knowing he might not come back. She lay down on the bed and very quickly fell asleep, not realising how exhausted she was.