Chapter 9 – Taking Your Medicine
"So, we have some decisions to make Ladies." Nate announced as soon as Cait had returned with another bottle of wine. "It seems that we are in demand, and I am not entirely sure in what order we should do things."
"Enjoy a lie in tomorrow." Beamed Piper, her face looking a little flushed from the wine she had drunk.
Nate rolled his eyes, "of course that will be first silly, I have an apology to make to Cait and I intend on being loud," Nate grinned, "or should I say, I intend on Cait being loud."
"Ew! gross you two," Laughed Piper, "get a room!"
"We have one thank you, and we intend on using it." Nate continued to grin.
"Maybe we can also use the shower, and …" Cait joined in the banter, "the kitchen counter, or, no! I've got it, over your desk." The whole team laughed at that.
Piper then turned to Curie, "They aren't actually going to…"
"I know!" Exclaimed Curie, smiling, "that was a joke."
"The issue we have," Nate brought the conversation back to the team's current predicament. "Preston wants us to help, no, join the Minutemen. We have the Railroad to talk to and we now have in our possession, plans to an enormous robot that the Brotherhood are trying to rebuild, presumably to wage war on the Institute." Nate looked around the table. "What are your thoughts?"
Curie spoke first. "I have nothing but respect for what Preston is trying to do. By resurrecting the Minutemen, society has a real chance of helping itself and making a difference to the insanity that is currently out there."
"Or he's delusional." Cait looked across the table at her teammate. "Is everyone he speaks to just going to agree to join the cause?" Cait took on a masculine voice, "alright mate, we will join your band of Ill trained and ill equipped civilians and go up against the Gunners." She was shaking her head. "The first massacre, and they will desert the cause in their hundreds, if you even get anyone to agree in the first place."
"But don't we have to try?" Curie asked.
"Wow, this just turned serious." Piper smirked, taking yet another swig of her wine. "I want to get in touch with the Railroad first." She said, slightly slurring her words.
"You always want to get in touch with the Railroad." Cait teased.
"When we were up in Sanctuary, Preston mentioned a raider gang, holed up at the old car factory in Lexington, who have been harassing local settlements. He reckons that if we make them disappear, more and more settlements will join up and soon he will have the network he needs." Nate turned to Valkyrie. "What are your thoughts?"
"So, Preston wants a local armed militia to watch over the settlements and the caravans. That's what the Minutemen will be?" Valkyrie asked.
"Yes," Curie explained excitedly, "taking their name from the colonial forces during the American Revolution, ready at a minute's notice."
Valkyrie smiled at Curie, "Don't really feel qualified to comment given how new I am to all of this, but won't starting up the Minutemen just place another armed gang out there wandering around with all the other armed groups?" Valkyrie shrugged.
"But at least the guns will be on our side, nice to even things out for once," Piper looked at Nate.
"And taking out the gang up in Lexington sounds fun." Cait smiled.
"Ok, so if we are lying in tomorrow," Nate gave a small nod to Piper, who raised her glass in return, "then, in two days, how about we visit the Brotherhood guys as that should only take the day, and then we will head up to the Corvega Plant to kick some raider ass." Nate proposed.
The next day the team were true to their word as they all enjoyed a lazy morning. Nate was also true to his and spent the morning paying some careful and considerate attention to his young girlfriend, ensuring that she was fully satisfied with the apology he owed her. Despite several times when the couple were sure they would be heard, the silence from downstairs signalled to them that the rest of the team were all still asleep. Curie had even placed herself in maintenance mode and wasn't up yet.
"Come on, lazybones, we have coffee to make." Nate said as he spooned in behind his sleepy girlfriend, kissing her neck gently.
"If you carry on doing that, mister, there will be something else we will be making and it won't be coffee." She purred appreciatively.
"What, again!" Nate laughed, "You'll be the death of me Catherine Murphy!"
"Come on old man, where's this supposed apology you owe me, eh?" Cait pressed her body into his.
"I have apologised three times already this morning, I need coffee and he needs a break!" Nate pulled up the covers and pointed to his manhood.
"Then use your tongue again, hmm." Cait suggested as she stretched out on the bed, "that was, hmm….yes." She rolled on to her side to look at Nate.
"Apology accepted?" Nate smiled.
"Oh yes, absolutely," Cait smiled back.
"Right then, coffee!" Nate declared and with that he jumped out of bed and nearly collided with a sleepy looking Piper who was coming up to the top of the stairs.
"Erm, hi there, cowboy." Piper laughed, looking at Nate's naked form stood directly in front of her. "You might want to put some clothes on or people will start talking."
Cait leant up from where she was on her side of the bed. "Yes, honey, best not to scare everyone so early in the morning." As she threw Nate some tracksuit pants.
"So?" Piper looked quizzically back to her Irish teammate. Cait just held up her hand signalling perfect as she flopped back on the bed.
"Did someone say coffee?" Piper smiled at the now dressed Nate.
The rest of the morning was spent enjoying a late breakfast and catching up on some much needed downtime. Piper and Valkyrie took up places in front of the fire and read their books whilst Cait and Curie decided to try their hand at some baking. Or more accurately speaking, Curie was teaching Cait how to make cookies. This gave Nate an opportunity to pop back and visit Nick Valentine, the Diamond City detective, to see if he had any joy on the task Nate had paid him to do. Nate was back home an hour later with the files and holo tapes he needed.
"V, can I borrow you for a second," Nate asked as he came through the front door and headed over to the computer terminal.
"Sure." Valkyrie looked up from her book before standing up and following Nate.
"Just before we set off up to Olivia, I asked Nick Valentine to look into the records at a few of the local hospitals to see if there were anything that could shed light on your abduction. Here's what he found. I haven't taken a look yet but I kind of thought you should first." Nate inserted a holotape into the console.
Pulling out the office chair, Valkyrie sat down and began reading the first memo.
Medford Memorial Hospital
Re: Searching for a specific DNA Profile.
March 11th, 2075
Dr. Rumack,
We're running a new research trial here at Kendall Hospital, and are looking for a very specific set of DNA characteristics. I've attached the details to this message.
In your labs day to day work analysing blood samples, I'd appreciate knowing if you run across anyone matching the described characteristics.
Thank you
Dr. Spengler
Re: Searching for a specific DNA Profile – Possible Match Found
April 5th, 2075
Dr Spengler,
The results of the blood work from today's batch of military personnel came back. Four-hour turnaround, incredible, right?
One DNA sample in particular, Patient #82559743, matches the profile you asked me to keep an eye out for.
I'm attaching the patients results and her file to this message. Let me know if you require anything further.
Dr Rumack
Kendall Hospital
Re: Possible Match Found
April 5th, 2075
Dr. Myrick,
It appears we have a match. Please see the attached DNA profile sent to me from Dr Rumack's office over at Medford Memorial.
Shall I ask my staff to schedule a follow up appointment with the patient here at Kendall, or would you prefer to coordinate it from Mass Bay Medical.
Dr Spengler
Re: Possible Match Found
April 5th, 2075
Dr. Spengler,
Splendid, Mass Bay has more entry/exit points. Easier to discreetly relocate a patient. We'll handle it from our end. No further action required.
Thanks,
Dr. Myrick
"But they didn't take me from Mass Bay…" Valkyrie said out loud to no one in particular. She then opened the next set of files, this time from Mass Bay Medical.
Mass Bay Medical
Re: Transfusion trials not going well.
January 22nd, 2075
Dr. Myrick,
I've attached the data from our most recent blood transfusion trial. The results are not encouraging. The longest survival rate has been four days.
Would you please have a look at the data and let me know if you can spot the flaw? Unless we can correct this, I fear the long-term supply of serum I've been providing for your research may be in jeopardy.
Sincerely,
Jack
Re: Transfusion trials not going well – Found the problem.
March 3rd, 2075
Dr. Cabot,
I believe I've found the flaw. Details attached. What you are looking for is a very rare type of DNA. I will keep an eye out for a suitable test subject.
I have colleagues at various medical facilities who are sympathetic to our cause and should be willing to do the same.
Regards,
Dr. Myrick
Re: Possible Match Found
April 5th, 2075
Jack,
It appears we've found a match. See attached patient details.
I can ask my staff to schedule her for an appointment tomorrow, and we can discuss logistics from there.
Dr Myrick
Re: Possible Match Found
April 5th, 2075
Dr Myrick,
I can't tell you how relieved I am to hear you have found a match.
No need to schedule the appointment. The patients home address was listed on her file.
My colleague will handle relocation of the subject to Parsons this evening.
Thank you again,
Jack
Finishing the last memo, Valkyrie looked up at Nate who had been reading over her shoulder. "So that's crazy, I wonder how many people Jack kidnapped and killed before he got to me?" She was shaking her head. "I had no idea."
"No idea about what, honey." Piper wandered up to the pair and began reading the screen. Valkyrie gave her seat to Piper to let the reporter go back and read all the memos.
"Anyway, thanks for helping me get to the bottom of it." Valkyrie put her arm on Nate's.
"You ok?" Nate asked, concern in his voice.
"I'm fine, thank you." Valkyrie smiled, and when Nate gave her a, 'I'm not convinced' look, she repeated, "no I am fine, really. It's great to know how it happened but now I am here, with you guys and there is absolutely no point dwelling on the past. That time has gone and so have all the people in it. The only thing remaining is me and I have to be thankful for that. Had it not been for Jack Cabot and his mad schemes, I would have never met you guys." Then Valkyrie smiled, "or had a chance to taste whatever that is." She inhaled the mouth watering sweet smell coming from downstairs.
"Come on gang!" Piper stood and clapped her hands together, "let's go raid the cookie jar."
Despite the fact that Cait and Curie had baked two trays of deliciously soft and gooey cookies, with the help of a mug of coffee or pot of tea, the team soon finished the entire batch.
Nate sat back in his chair, "not sure I will be able to manage dinner, I'm stuffed." He said patting his stomach.
"Replacing all the energy you burned this morning." Valkyrie chuckled.
"I thought you were asleep!" Nate exclaimed.
"What, sleep through that racket!" Piper responded as she popped the last bit of cookie into her mouth.
Nate looked at Cait who shrugged, obviously not at all bothered by the fact that her room mates heard the two of them making love that morning. Well, if Cait wasn't bothered then neither was he.
"Oh, talking of energy," and Nate sprang from his chair and headed to the kitchen area, opening a drawer under the counter. The rest of the team also stood and began clearing the dishes.
"Which one of you scamps hasn't been taking your vitamins?" Nate spun to face his team, holding a tube of the soluble vitamins Dr McClintock supplied them.
"Scamps. What are we, wayward pets or something?" Piper asked, feigning outrage.
"I read it in one of the books and I like it." Nate grinned at his black haired companion. "And that doesn't answer my question, young lady."
Piper paused and blushed, "I might have missed it a few times, but no big deal." She flashed Nate a grin as she passed him to retake her seat.
Seeing his opportunity, Nate reached for Piper. In a flash he had grabbed her nearest arm and dragged her towards him, at the same time taking a step back and sitting himself down in his dining room chair. Whilst the tug wasn't that hard, it did manage to catch Piper off guard and off balance and she fell forward, towards Nate. He deftly caught her, manoeuvring her to land sprawled across his lap. He immediately locked Pipers legs in place and took hold of her side with a firm grip of his left hand. She squealed as she landed, laid across his knees, stuck and unable to move.
"Let me up you brute," Piper laughed, "I didn't think you were going to catch me there for a minute, Blue."
"Oh, I've got you alright missy." Nate turned to look at Curie who was stood by the sink.
Seeing what Nate had in mind, Curie slid one of the wooden spoons out of the utensil pot and threw it to Nate, who caught it in his right hand.
"So, what was it you were saying about not taking your vitamins?" Nate rested the wooden spoon against Pipers upturned bottom.
"I was just.." Piper began.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Nate began a barrage of short, sharp smacks on Pipers legging covered seat.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Piper began to protest.
"Sorry, what was that?" Nate paused the spanking.
"It's just …." Piper tried again to get her words out.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Sorry, sweetie, I can't hear you." Nate began to spank again, "was that you saying, sorry Nate, I promise I'll take them from now on, Nate?"
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"I … can't … ow! … believe … you … ow! … are… spanking … me … ow! … for … not …. taking … ow! … my … vitamins!" Piper was laughing, complaining and wriggling, whilst being held in Nate's vicelike grip. Whilst these spanks were not punishment strength in their delivery, Nate was making sure they stung, even through the protection of her leggings.
"Curie, help me out here," Nate stopped his spanking and turned to Curie. "What was it I said to you all when I first brought these vitamins home from the good doctor?"
"I know, I know," Piper pleaded whilst still laughing, "you'd spank us if we …"
"Shush you," Nate ordered whilst landing another stinging spank to Pipers right bottom cheek.
"Ow!" Piper squealed. "Bully" She then said softly under her breath.
Smack!
"I heard that, now be quiet, Curie and I are having a conversation. I shall get back to spanking you in a moment, just be patient." The rest of the team laughed at that, as did Piper who was failing miserably at acting aggrieved.
Curie looked up, recalling the conversation in her mind. "You said, 'Vitamin C & D helps repair broken blood vessels, especially capillaries on the surface. Your bruising and marking on your bottoms will clear up quicker. It is also a great antioxidant as well as a fabulous help in absorbing vital nutrients for the blood like iron. Listen, it's great and you guys will love it, you will take it every day and I won't have to spank you, ok?' And then Piper said …"
"That's perfect, thank you, Curie." Interrupted Nate. "So, as you can see, you were warned and yet you still decided to disobey me." Nate turned back to tapping the spoon against Piper's bottom.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Ow! Ah! I'm! Sorry! Ah!" Piper squealed as Nate continued to spank her.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
Nate stopped and swapping the spoon to his left hand began rubbing Piper's bottom. "All I want to hear is that you promise to take your vitamins every day."
"I do … I promise!" Piper gushed.
"Good, and just to make sure…" and with that Nate swapped the spoon back.
Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack! Smack!
"Ah! Ow! Ah! Ow! Yes! Ah! I Promise!" Piper yelped as the stinging fire returned to her bottom.
"Well why didn't you say so at the beginning, then?" Nate helped the flushed girl to her feet.
Piper tried to look daggers at Nate whilst trying hard not to smile. "You are …."
Nate, still sat on the chair, reached out to hold Piper's waist, as if ready to turn her over his knee again.
"… absolutely right, and I will take my vitamins on a daily basis." Piper smiled.
Nate stood and leaning forward, planted a kiss on Piper's forehead. "There you go, that wasn't hard, was it?"
Pipers' hands shot behind her as she began to rub her bottom furiously, "Absolutely was." She pouted as the rest of the team laughed.
