Chapter 5: Humanity is so resilient, to cling to love despite all of this.
"Gotta love the irony of the reverse damsel-in-distress scenario. Question is, why did our heroine risk life and limb for an old private eye?" Nick asks as he lights up a cigarette after the prettiest dame he has seen in years just waltzes in and starts to breaks him free of Malone's grasp. Sure, he's seen plenty of strong women since waking up 80 years ago. Gotta be strong or you wouldn't survive today's world after all, but there was something different about this one and it wasn't because she was wearing that skin tight vault suit under some bits of armor.
"Mr. Valentine I assume? "the woman asks as she slowly circles him, eyes taking in every detail, "Or do you prefer, Detective Valentine?"
"Yeah that's right, "Nick starting to get bad feeling about this. Like he might have been safer with Malone's gal than the woman who just leaned over suggestively to type away at the terminal on the desk. The door slams shut, startling Nick into turning away. He then turns back to the woman who was now leaning against the side of the terminal with a smirk on her face.
"What's your game and can it wait until we're out of her? Malone will be back…"
"Not anytime soon, "the woman smiles as she stands up, "You see he's rather busy chasing down his now ex-flame and took a good many of his men with him. The few that were left, well they won't be a bother to anyone ever again."
She walks up to Nick shoves him hard. Surprised by how physically strong she is, Nick falls into a chair that rolls back a short distance before bumping into the desk behind him. "Hey?! What gives?"
"Oh you will be the one giving, if you want out of here anytime soon, "the woman walks over and kneels between his knees. Placing her hand on those knees as she says, "I know you'll be able to hack that terminal, eventually. But it would be so much easier to give me what I want instead. I assure you, you'll enjoy doing so as well." She starts to untie his trench coat.
"Hey! Look I'm flattered and maybe a little creeped out, but in case you haven't noticed: I'm a synth. I don't have..."
"Oh really, you look human to me. Are confessing to being one of those 3rd gen synths? If you are, that doesn't matter to me one little bit." She taps a spot just above his crotch three times as she said that.
"What? "it was then that Nick notices his very human looking hands. He then looks down and sees the woman unzipping his pants and he starts to feel rather warm. Licking his lips he asks, "So what exactly you want me to do?"
"We can negotiate as we go, "Nora says as she pulls out his now growing erection.
(Static)
Nora had just left the office, noticeably more than a little upset. Nick was left sitting at his desk rubbing head to stave off the upcoming headache which there would be nothing he could do about since he has yet to find an aspirin brand that work on synths.
"You're being a moron, Nick, "Ellie commented as she dropped a case folder on his desk, "Keep pushing her away like that, she might not come back some day."
"Ellie, please, "Nick sighs as he opens the folder, "She needs to understand that I can't be the guy she wants."
"Maybe you already are, "Ellie responds and then shrugs."Whatever, do as you want. You always do."
"So what's the case?" Nick grumbles as he opens up the folder and sees a name, "Oh no, not little Rose. What happened?"
"That's also kinda your fault, "Ellie sadly jokes, "the kid ran away from home to look for her 'Uncle Nick' days ago. She hasn't been seen since."
(Static)
Nora broke down crying on the bed. Keeping his distance, Nick stood still since he no clue as to what to do.
"I can't believe you have my memories and are still this stupid, "Nick hears the same voice he hears in his head when stuck in old Nick's memories. The original Nick Valentine walks into the room and passes the synth, "But then again I was always struck dumb when Jenny got upset. Hey Doll, you okay?" The ghost for lack of a better term, sits on the bed and rubs Nora on the back. The woman throws herself into his chest, sobbing. "There there, it'll be okay, "Nick hugs her and asks, "So are you going to let us know what has you all in a frizzy so we can see about fixing it?
"It's too embarrassing, "What Nora says is muffled by human Nick's chest.
The synthetic Nick discovers he is froze in place, unable to move or speak. Forced to witness what is happening as human Nick appears to be taking over his role.
Nick chuckles, "Any more embarrassing than trying to pull me into bed like that? I know we're friends but I didn't know it was the kind with added benefits. If I did, I would have wash up a little more."
Nora stops shaking and looks up with her tear stained face. "Nick?"she hesitantly says as she lifts a hand and places it on the side of his face. She then pulls her self away some and tries to wipe away her tears with the back of that same hand.
"Feeling better?"
"A little. Thanks Nick, "Nora sighs, "Sorry for being so weird lately. Not really sure what's come over me. For the past week, I've been having these dreams." She then looks down a little as the blush returns, "about you and me."
"Really? Never would have guessed, "He drawls and gently moves her a little to the side so that he could scoot a little closer and leans over her a bit, "I suspect that they go pretty much along these lines…" He then wraps an arm around her lower back and kisses her. After a few minutes he backs off and both of them are panting, "So am I right?"
Nora nods and reaches out to him. They both fall into the bed, ignoring the creaking sounds.
Nick Valentine, the synth detective, is still frozen. Forced to watch as the pre-war ghost takes what Nick wanted to be his alone but felt he couldn't take when it was offered.
(Static)
"So, Mr. Valentine, "Rosa pulls his attention back as she takes another sip from her flask, "Would you like some time to think about what I'm offering?"
"If, and I say If I accept...how would we go about doing this?"
"As much as I want to say you would need to go back to Fort Dallas with me, "Rosa raises her hand to stop the protest, "Considering the situation I should be able to convince them to ship everything needed here. As for a qualified technician to make certain everything goes smoothly, I know one who has for years been trying to get project funds to come out here and find out how the Gen 1s and Gen 2s really tick. I personally think she would also be a perfect resource for this case. The only problem I see is you'll be limited on your customization choices but you seem like a vanilla sort of guy."
Nick blinks asks, "I might be tempted but it doesn't seem right to just be able to jump bodies like you described. Would it still be me or just another copy?"
"It will be you. The process is a transfer not a copy paste, "Rosa smiles and then chuckles, "I'm so stupid. I have an old brochure that explains much of this as well lists what options are available. Why they still include the explanation, I have no idea but its good that they did. It doesn't list some of the newer or more uncommonly used options, but it should give you a good idea on what to expect and see what is offered. Lets go see if I can get my backpack from the minutemen and dig it out."
(Static)
Nick suddenly became aware that something was different. He opens his eyes but all he sees is a strange darkness that seemed to have a slight green glow about it. Then a prompt screen appears, filling up his entire field of view. Commands and terms he couldn't make heads or tails out of are rapidly typed in. Then it all begins to scroll so fast that he begins to feel a little dizzy. As the text spins it gets brighter and brighter until all now sees is a bright light.
An arm comes up and blocks the light. Nick registers that although it looked nothing like what he remembers it is his arm covering his eyes.. A woman with a strong southern accent says, "Can someone be so kind as to cover up that window, the sun is shining just a little too bright on him."
"Got it, "Rosa says and then the sounds of curtains being drawn could be heard.
"Thank you kindly, "the tech answers. There is a gentle touch and then pull on his arm as the woman says, "Now let me take a look at those beautiful eyes of yours, Mr. Valentine. I want to see just how good I did matching them to your previous ones. I do believe we might start a new trend."
Nick lowers his arm and starts to sit up. "Oh dear, "the frazzled woman says and then calls out, "Rosa, could you.."
"Got it, Susan, "says the Legacy as she steps over to help Nick up, "Careful Nick, your heavier than you use to be so it'll be a little hard for most people to hold you up. But how are you feeling?"
Nick tilts his head left and then right, then looks down at his hands. They are both covered in 'skin' and look brand new. They were shaped like a human's but it was obvious they weren't unless perhaps that human got some really nice prostheses. They were a caramel tan which even though he knew he chose the color, he was still a little unsure about. He lifts one of the hands to touch the side of his face and neck, to confirm that those gaping holes he had to live with for years were now gone. He turns to look up at Rosa and then the tech with his eyes that retained their amber glowing rings. "It'll take some time to get use to, "He says in the familiar gravelly voice but it gave a sense of having more energy, "But I think I'm good, real good."
"Great, "Rosa says with some relief, "While Susie checks over you systems one last time, I'll get you your new clothes. Don't want to shock your friends too much when they see you."