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Please read on my ao3! - per my housekeeping notice [here]

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While trading at the Diamond City market, the Sole Survivor of vault 111 overheard folks whispering over their steaming noodle bowls about an abandoned shopping center filled with valuable loot. The only barrier between them and the score of a lifetime were the supermutants inside. The gossiping locals didn’t have the fire power for such an altercation, but the sole survivor did. And they certainly would not be going alone.

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Selecting your companion:

Cait: I’ll come, but just don’t make me wear anything stupid

Curie: “Oh! Shopping!” She mused delightfully, her voice ringing with pleasure.

Codsworth: How delightful, mum! I do so miss shopping expeditions and, please pardon my saying, but your jumpsuit is looking rather drab. Off we go, miss!

Deacon: Sounds like my kind of dig! I could always use some new disguises.

McCready (sarcastically): Oh, we better hurry. I hear clothes practically fly off the shelves with their discounts.

Piper: Jesus, Blue. Sounds dangerous. Something wrong with the clothes you already have?

Preston: Absolutely, General. I wouldn’t want you facing this on your own.

Hancock: *heh* Thought you’d never ask. Let’s get the fuck out of Diamond city.*grumbles, muttering under his breath* Never understood how these bigots can sleep at night…

Danse: I advise against putting yourself in unnecessary danger. The gossip of strangers isn’t worth risking your life, but I’ll be damned if I let you face this alone.

Nick Valentine: Well, if it’s worth your time kid, than it’s worth mine *grabs his hat and coat before locking the detective agency door behind them* Lead the way

X6-88: I agree. We might find something useful. A large shopping center may have valuable pre-war goods. Right behind you, ma’am.

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The Sole Survivor walks out of Diamond City with their companion, combat shotgun in hand. Though well armored and stocked with plenty of ammunition, they carefully made their way south through the ruins of Boston. Sole and their companion had not walked far from the Boston Police Rationing Site when they heard the unmistakable sounds of feral ghouls, clumsily kicking tin rubbish and bones left on the broken streets. Sole and their companion crouched behind the remains of a building’s wall. Daring a look, sole peaked above the wall, only to notice the dirty, ruined faces but unmistakable faces of her pre-war neighbors, Mr. Donoghue and Mrs. Donoghue. Sole immediately felt sick and dizzy watching the two ghouls stumble down the street aimlessly, eyes white and staring at nothing. Mr. Donoghue and Mrs. Donoghue were expecting a child as well. Sole had spent hours in their kitchen, chatting about the excitement of parenthood. They swapped ideas over coffee and pie. 200 years after the bombs dropped, while sole was safe in a vault, her neighbors had been turned into radiation monsters, void of the humanity they used to possess. Alive in a physical sense, but her neighbors were lost. Sole had no choice but to put them down and out of their miserable experience. It’s what they would have wanted…

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Your companion reacts:

Cait: Jesus Christ, not a way to go. At least you had the ‘ol Vault-Tec treatment, eh? *Cait notices tears filling in sole’s eyes, rapidly decides to change her approach* I - er - um…..I know this must be difficult for you…I…I am here if you need to talk, or something.

Curie: One must wonder, what causes the deterioration of this ghoul condition? Some "ghouls" are in possession of their mental faculties. Others are not. I wonder why Mr. Donoghue and Mrs. Donoghue became feral while many other ghouls have maintained their mental capacities [Sole - Those were my neighbors, Curie. Not a science experiment] My apologies, sir/madam, I didn't mean to offend you. Grief can be managed with a well balanced diet, exercise, and spending time with loved ones!

Codsworth: Oh dear *emotional processors cracking through his speakers* Is that…the Donoghues? Mum, I’m…I’m so sorry *offers a hankie*

Deacon: Well, that was terrible *sigh* radiation, you unbelievable bastard.[notices how upset sole is] Ah..Look, I’m sorry. This…I mean, what you’re going through, I can’t even imagine. If you wanna talk or something…[trails off]

McCready: Oh man…*He pauses, letting the information sink in regarding sole’s neighbors* I’m really sorry. We can turn around if you want. That department store isn’t going anywhere. 

Piper: You okay, [sole]? You seem pretty shaken up. Why don’t we rest for a bit.

Preston: Oh, I’m really sorry, General. *he removes his hat, holding to his chest, tired eyes looking away in respect* Take all the time you need. I can help you bury the bodies if you would like to give them a proper burial.

Hancock: Ah shit. Old neighbors, huh? Hey, let's just get outta here. I hate seein’ you so broken up like this.

Danse: You’re awfully quiet. Want to tell me what’s on your mind? [listens intently to what Sole says about the feral ghouls they had recognized and killed] I see. Take as long as you need, soldier. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling right now.

Nick Valentine: “You seemed to recognize those two, who were they?” [response from sole] “Oh, I’m so sorry for your loss,” he spoke softly, placing a supportive synth hand on sole’s arm.

X6-88: Those were your neighbors? My condolences.

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The sole survivor heaves in grief, but is eventually able to continue on, intrigued by the elaborate wooden welcome sign to Fairline Hill Estates. They had toured the gated community long ago when looking for a house. Sanctuary Hills, the houses of tomorrow, had captured their attention more, with all their technologically advanced features the estates lacked. But all that remained now were the corpses of friends turned into monsters from nuclear radiation and two lazy yao guai, chewing on the bloody bones of rotting brahmin.

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Your companion reacts:

Cait: Oh! Such fascinating creatures! Shall we get a closer look? I wish to study the effects of radiation on these beasts

Curie: You’ve got be fucking kiddin’ me. yao guai? That’s the last thing we need right now.

Codsworth: Oh dear. You don’t think they can see us, right mom?

Deacon: That is disgusting *he giggles* How do you want to play this, boss?

McCready: *Chuckles gleefully, silently pulling out his well polished rifle* This is where the fun begins.

Piper: Well that’s just great. Breaking news: Diamond City reporter torn to ribbons by a giant, stupid, irritated bear.

Preston: Dammit, I think we're in trouble here *pulls out his musket, at the ready* I’m with you, general.

Hancock: We ain’t alone *drops shotgun ammunition into the barrels of his gun* Those yao guai are mean bastards, they hit hard. Just lemme know when you’re ready and I got your back.

Danse: Yao guai..Not to worry, we’ll send those monsters right back to hell [Charges, heavily clad in power armor, laser weapons firing away, breaking the silence of a sleepy afternoon] Die, you godless heathen! Die!

Nick Valentine: There’s no getting out of this without a fight *loads his 10mm with a satisfying click* You ready, kid?

X6-88: Good, I was starting to feel a little bored. You ready to engage, [sole]? This shouldn’t take long

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The Sole Survivor and their trusted companion gawk at the yao guai corpses, bleeding from their many fatal bullet holes. Sole sighs in exhaustion, dropping to squat and holding their face in hands.Their companion rubs their back sympathetically and suggests the tempting idea of spending the night at Fairline Hills Estates. The area was relatively safe now, with Mr. Donoghue & Mrs. Donoghue and the yao guais dead. Keenly aware of the mental torment they both witnessed and given Sole’s fragile state, their trusted companion led the way to the southeast house. Sole collapses weakly on the sunken couch and watches as their companion wanders into the brokedown kitchen to prepare dinner for the night. They ate the meal peacefully without many words to be said about the days’ events. The sole survivor turned down every request to talk about the killing of her neighbors and the close call they had with the yao guai in what used to be a highly sought after gated community. Their companion accepted that sole just wasn’t ready to talk about. They offer to take the first watch to let the sole survivor get some much needed rest.

Once their trusted companion shuts the door to the house to begin their watch, the sole survivor slinks away to the attached garage. They had noticed the chemistry station earlier and knew exactly how to use it. There were piles of dead leaves everywhere, a natural fertilizer. Using the leaves along with the plastic from some junk lying around the house, sole knew they could craft jet - lots of jet. Sole gets to work, tinkering feverishly at the chemistry station, sweating from the withdrawal and desperate for relief. The Sole Survivor sighed in contented satisfaction, admiring their own craftsmanship. Not even bothering to step from the chemistry station, they begin taking hit after hit of jet. Sighing happily as the pain of memories and her broken heart eased into comfortable numbness. Sole wanted to take jet until they couldn’t remember who they were, much less what had happened to them. Sole stumbled back slightly, the room a spiraling blur. No matter, they take another hit and watch the world slowly rise until they felt their back hit the floor. The stared blankly at the ceiling, surrounded by empty jet cartridges. Hearing the loud THUD sole’s companion rushed into the room, fearing the worst (an intruder, a kind of murderous threat) only to find in their horror, a close friend in indescribable pain.

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Your companion reacts:

Cait: “*tsk* Havin’ a good time now, are we?” Cait teased, pointing on the jet in sole’s hand as they slouched against the chemistry station. Cait’s eyes scanned the scene further, noticing the familiar signs of a serious addiction problem.Given the amount of empty jet canisters scattered on the floor around sole, it was a miracle they were even still alive.] I think you’ve got a wee bit of a drug problem, [sole]. Which ain’t right, especially after everythin’ you watched me go through. Why would you let yourself get hooked on the stuff? Can’t believe you’re doin’ this to yourself?!” She shouted, breathing deepling like sole had taught her to calm down. “You’re an idiot, [sole]. But I’ll help ya, just like how you helped me. Let’s go, we’re getting you cleaned up”

Curie: She stares curiously, “I have more than enough data on the physiological effects of chems, there is no need to provide me with more data, sir/madam.” She notices the dilated pupils, racing heart beat, the sweating… “Are you alright, sir/madam? I believe you should see a doctor, we cannot treat your condition here.”

Codsworth: “Are you well, mum?!” Codsworth panicked, desperately trying to assess the situation. A Mister Handy bot was designed for household duties, not crises.

Deacon: Wow, looks like you’ve been partying pretty hard with out me. Miiiight want to lay off cause I think you’ve enough.

McCready: *Slaps the empty get out of sole’s hand, they glare at him angrily, demanding an explanation* That crap is gonna rot your mind. This stops right now (Dad-mode activated)

Piper: Ooooookay (nabs all the empty jet cartridges) I think you’ve had enough, Blue. (Stares at the insane amount of jet in the room). I think we better get you to a doctor. I just hope it’s not too late (she sighs heavily, emotion tightening around her neck hotly) This is why I wanted to talk, Blue! So you - you wouldn’t do anything stupid! Arg! What a mess. Come on, (she lifts sole up) let’s get you to a doctor.

Preston: This is how it ends, [sole]. You keep this up and I’ll have to bury a friend. The Minutemen need you. I need you. And you don’t need those chems. You have people who love and care about you.

Hancock: “Woah!” Hancock froze, staring at the used jet scattered about the room. 2..4..6..three over there, that makes 9…pile of 5 in the corner makes…14? 14! How are they alive? Hancock glanced at the sole survivor, slumped pitifully against the chemistry station, empty jet still in hand. They just kept staring at his boots, completely unresponsive, but he could see the steady rise and fall of their chest with each shallow breath. Hancock began to sweat, panic sweeping in, staring at sole’s chest. What if it they stop…what if they breathing stops - he’s mayor, not fucking doctor.”H-hey, stay with me, now! Look,” He turn’s sole’s face to look at him only to be greeted with dull and empty eyes. “Hey, sunshine. It’s me, remember? Hancock. D-don’t go, you can’t do this to me. I need you, please. Don’t leave me alone.” Tears welled in the crevices of Hancok’s face as he sat beside the sole survivor, holding their hand. He gasped as a familiar smooth hand rested on his. “I could never forget you, Hancock.” The mayor choked back sobs, gripping sole’s hand like it could fade away any moment. “Don’t you ever do this again. Never trip alone. We’re getting you help. Like, now now.” He takes sole’s arm and wraps it around his shoulder’s, pulling them to their feet.

Danse: [Stares in stunned silence mixed with disgust and concern] He crouches beside sole, pushing the drugs away, and whispered angrily, “How can you fight when your brain’s clouded with those drugs? You’re going to get yourself killed. And I’m not just gonna stand here and watch brotherhood’s best, my friend, die unnecessarily. We’re getting you clean and that’s an order.”

Nick Valentine: “SHIT!” Nick hissed under his breath. He'd see a lot of folks at their worst in his line of work. He’d seen this scene too many times before. A case closed in an overdose. There were even some rare occasions where he found Mayor Hancock after a few too many chems. But usually, there were warning signs. How could he call himself a detective when he couldn’t even save his friend from themselves. Nick crouches beside the body, holding their limp wrist in his. A pulse, weak but still there. “Alright, now you’ve done it, kid” He scooped up the sole survivor into his arms. “We need to get you to a doc.”

X6-88: Oh god…[composes himself] You don’t look so good sir/ma’am, Might want to lay off the chems for a while. I’ll be throwing these away (disposes of all the chems the Sole Survivor made and had on their person)

If you want accompanying music:

Please read on my ao3! - per my housekeeping notice [here]

Police Precinct 8: Nick Valentine and Nora, the Sole Survivor from Vault 111, are taking inventory of the items found and the radroach carcasses that littered the crumbling remains of the station

“Alright, this is one of Eddie’s tapes alright. The eighth one, if I’m not mistaken.”

Nora and Nick stand in an opened jail cell in the lower level of Police Precinct 8.

“That means all that’s left is holotape 5,” Nick sighed tiredly, holstering his pistol. “The only place left to look is Nahant Sheriff department.”

“Let’s head there next,” Nora agreed, stuffing a few remaining items into her backpack. “I did find something here on the Shrouded Manor. Some undercover officer was supposed to meet her superiors at the Warren Theater. Maybe we can check it out on our way back.”

“Sure, Sure” Nick mumbled, his mind lost in traumatic memories of Eddie Winter. The layers of human flesh he saw in Jenny. The bullet ripped right through her. She never stood a chance and Nick couldn’t stop it.

Nora swung her backpack on and turned to face Nick, surprised he wasn't already leading the way.

"You feeling alright, Nicky?" She asked worriedly.

"Just fine, doll." Nick pulled a preserved cigarette from the carton he kept in the front pocket of his patched trench coat. Nora swiped a few cigarette cartons from the Institute for Nick. She knew he'd appreciated non-radiated ones. Truth be told, she didn't know why or how he smoked, only that he did so often. Perhaps to upkeep the appearance of a hard-boiled detective. "Gotta look the part" as he said.

“You sure you don’t want to talk about it? You’ve been lost in thought more than usual lately. Is it because only one of Eddie’s holotapes remains? It’s okay if you’re having second thoughts.”

“No!” Nick took a deep breath, soothing himself. In a softer tone, he repeated. “No. Not when we’re this close. Eddie Winter will pay for his crimes and the commonwealth will be a safer place without him in it.” He took a long drag off the lit cigarette, glowing ashes falling to the ground.

“Nicky,” Nora spoke with a voice so delicate and soft, he was just barely able to pick it up. She wrapped a warm hand around his exposed, metal skeleton. For a long silence, she stood there, eyes cast down, stroking the frigid metal of his hand. “You don’t need to pretend around me. I know you’re hurting. You don’t have to tell me about what you are feeling or experiencing, but I want you to ask me for help if you need it. You shouldn’t have to face this alone. I’m right here, by your side….partner.” She raised her eyes to meet his gaze. Tears had welled in her eyes, teetering over her water line and falling down her flushed cheeks.

“But I’m a synth, Nora. I don’t have ‘feelings’. After all, I’m not human.”

“Poppycock!” Nora choked out. “You’re more human than most. You feel, think, love, and provide for the people of the Commonwealth. More than most flesh and blood humans out there. There’s more to being human than having a pulse.”

“I-” Nick swallowed the emotions building with him. Smoke danced lightly around his face, rising in the air. “Thank you, Nora. You’re a real good friend and the best damn partner I’ve ever had.” He lifted her chin with a free finger, his others balancing the cigarette. He slowly leaned down, kissing her warm lips in the chilly remains of the precinct. The wetness of her tears added a slickness to the kiss. He gently pulled away and cleared his throat.

“At this rate, we're going to have to put your name up on signs for the agency.” He stubbed out the cigarette on the cement walls, ashes sprinkling down. “Time to hit the road again? Get back to the hunt for Eddie Winter?” He asked, desperate to change the conversation and get back to cracking his biggest case yet.

“You sure you’re up to this? We can take a break if you’d like. I could take someone else to get the last holotape from Nahant Sheriff department.” Nora offered sympathetically.

“Traveling the wastes with you? Why…I wouldn't miss it for the world. Come on, sweetheart. We got a fair amount of ground to cover before nightfall.”

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Nahant Sheriff department; Nick Valentine  and Nora, the sole survivor, regroup after taking out the Super Mutants that had holed up there

“Clever, Nick.” Nora wiped the warm, thick green blood off her face and shook it off her fingers. “Supermutants really don’t see well at night. I don’t think they saw us coming.”

“Super Mutants sure make it easy to forget they were ever human.” Nick groaned in disgust, noticing the blood stains on his coat. “Never been a fan of their hospitality.”

Nora pulled some medicine from her bag, desperate for relief after the tussle. Valentine wandered about the ruins, searching each desk for the last remaining holotape Eddie Winter left. Swaggering, cocksure prick. His overconfidence will be his reckoning.

Valentine groaned at the foul stench of raw meat rotting in the open air. “Something I always wondered about Mutants... What's with the bags of meat? What the hell's the use of a meat bag?” Would he dare search within them for the holotape? Could one of those stupid brutes have known the value of it?

Nick sighed in frustration, turning about - scanning for clues.

In the corner of his eye - he registers a small bit of orange against a rusted steel desk top.

"Ha! Found ya!" He emoted loudly, delighting in his skillful eye. "You're days are numbered, Winter." He pocked the last of the tapes.

"Let me run 'em through the old processor. I bet they've still got the code pieces in 'em." Nick commented as he walked down the stairs of the station where Nora waited for him. Got it! One, nine, five, three, seven, two, eight, four, zero, six. That old thug's holed up in Andrew Station. Now let's go bring down Eddie Winter."

"Nick, Wait."

"Hm?"

"How about some other time? We passed this long winding driveway on our way here. I want to check it out. Please.

"Sure. It's waited this long…" Nick sighed. "But once we check it out, I say we pay 'ol Winter a visit. He's got hell to pay and I make good on my debts"

"Alright tough guy," Nora teased, slapping his back playfully. "It's late anyway. You may not need sleep, but I do. We've been traveling for almost a day now."

Nick stuffed his hands in his pockets, following just behind her.

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Authors Note: If you want to read more of my work, here's a LINK to my AO3 author page <3