Chapter Text
It had been a strangely calm day for Cait helping a Caravan from Diamond City back to Sanctuary. There had been a storm the night before which had now passed but it appeared the wildlife still weren't sure it was safe to reappear.
As she was walking back her thoughts drifted to Nate. This wasn't unusual for her as he had helped her over the months since he found her in the Combat Zone. He'd even paused finding his son Shawn to take her to Vault 95 which saved her life.
She had told Nate on several occasions that she was in his debt, but he had always smiled and replied that he would do anything for his friends. This was simply who he was. Even with all the help he had given her she still couldn't believe someone could be as kind and caring as him in this nightmare filled wasteland.
She had told him everything about her parents and her role in their deaths. She was still ashamed of that night she returned home to them, as well but Nate had helped her with it. In fact he went as far as to say she had done the right thing and he understood.
As she was walking towards Sanctuary she realized just how much she missed her Nate.
When she arrived in Sanctuary she could hear Piper's voice long before she saw her. Piper sounded agitated but there was also a hint of sorrow in her voice. As she came into view Cait noticed Nate sitting on the curb outside the ruins of his prewar home.
“Your son is the Head of the institute, the reason people don't feel safe anywhere” screamed Piper.
Cait at this point noticed Nate's facial expressions. There were long streaks down his face highlighting how much he had cried.
“Piper what the hell is going on” Cait bellowed, stepping forwards and maneuvering herself between Nate and Piper.
Both Nate and Piper spun round in shock at Cait's tone. She hadn't meant to come across that aggressive but seeing how Nate looked unlocked her protective side. She could also see Nate frantically trying to wipe his face to hide his tears. Inside she hurt that his thoughts were still trying to project strength even under such emotional circumstances.
“Well I haven't heard an explanation” Cait followed up with.
“Shawn is the Head of the Institute and he's not a little boy he's fucking 60” Nate stated. He continued “they made a child synth for me and Nick to track down but took my Shawn and Killed Nora 60 fucking years ago”. Cait could see Nate welling up again and this time she placed her hand on his shoulder.
Cait's gentle touch seemed to calm Nate and he even put his hand on hers to say thank you. “How was your trip with the Caravan?” Nate asked out of concern for Cait.
“It was fine other than the Radstorm, don't change the subject and worry about me now I'm here to comfort you” Cait said in a tone that was a little too blunt. Nate took the hint and smiled at her in a way that said thank you.
Piper had watched this exchange in silence, surveying the scene in front of her. Eventually she broke the silence “Nate I'm sorry for what happened, I really am but I need to know, we all need to know what are you going to do?”.
The accusation from Piper was obvious, she was asking if Nate was going to betray the Minutemen and Railroad and join the institute.
“Piper what do you want from me, I just found my son and he is an old terminally ill man. I want to spend as much time with him as possible but I don't want to betray anyone” Nate pleaded.
This resulted in another appreciated shoulder squeeze from Cait. She hated the accusation Piper was throwing at him in public. She looked around Sanctuary and she could see a crowd was beginning to form. People were passing by and moving a little slower when they walked past trying to get some of the story to gossip later. It was at this point Cait had seen and heard enough, she lifted Nate gently from the step and started to lead him towards the Red Rocket just outside Sanctuary.
Cait had been using the Red Rocket as a home for a few months now. She found Sanctuary too busy but liked being close to it. She liked Hangman’s Alley for the same reason, it was secluded but at the same time close to Diamond City.
When they were out of Sanctuary Cait saw Nate physically relax now the grilling from Piper was over. “Shes scarred and confused, I get it” Nate started to say before Cait quickly cut him off “Yeah that might be true but she had no fucking right to go for you in public like that, that should have stayed private”. She continued “You never know whose fucking listening, say that gets back to the Brotherhood, they’ll never fucking trust ye”. This genuine concern made Nate smile, no one since he’d met Nora had shown anywhere near this level of concern for his well being.
Once inside the Red Rocket, Cait found the bottle of moonshine she had been saving and poured two decent measures. Nate knocked his back in one with a shudder and set the glass down. She quietly poured him another which this time he sipped.
“I'm surprised you haven’t asked what my plans are as well,” Nate said, breaking the silence between them. “Your one of the very few people maybe the only person I fucking trust to not hurt me, you’ll do the right thing, whatever that is”. Nate’s shoulders slumped forward “I was really hoping you’d tell me what to do” “Not my style” replied Cait “besides who am I to tell the fucking general what to do”. This made him chuckle in a way he hadn’t for a while. Nate was really beginning to appreciate the things Cait had done for him. He honestly felt like he’d never be able to repay her.
They sat in silence for a little while longer listening to Diamond City Radio just simply comfortable in each other's company. This time it was Cait’s turn to break the silence. “Have you spoken to Nick?” she asked with some concern in her voice. “Not yet” Nate replied “I was planning on heading to see him tomorrow to discuss what I saw in the Institute and to see if he can find another way in now we roughly know where it is”. “It might be a good idea to see him before Piper gets to him first” , acknowledged Cait.
“I’ll take my chances and wait till tomorrow, besides you must have loads to tell me and I want to make sure you're OK, Cait , you've been through more than me. I’m sorry I was away for so long. You are OK aren’t you?” Nate asked. Cait was for the first time flustered in how she responded. “Of course I’m alright, I'm clean and working with the Caravan so I have a reason to get up in the morning. I don't have to look over my shoulder before I go to sleep at night and I have you in my life. Of course I'm OK.” Cait’s honesty shocked her and she could feel her cheeks beginning to redden. She hoped Nate hadn’t noticed. She was scared to look up at him but when she did all she could see was his smile.
It was a relief to her that he could still find something to smile about even if it was her embarrassment that had made him smile. The moment was cut short though when Piper called in to see Nate. “Blue I’m sorry, I shouldn't have flew off at you like that, it was a shock thats all, but I can’t imagine what you’re going through.” Nate looked up from his glass and weakly smiled at her. “It’s OK I get why you’re scarred. I’m heading back to Diamond City tomorrow to speak with Nick and try to form some sort of plan. I’m going to need both of your help.” Cait responded a little quicker than she was expecting “anything whatever ya need I’ll do what I can”. Piper smiled at this and gave Cait a knowing look. Cait could feel her cheeks redden again for the second time that day. This was becoming a habit she needed to shift quickly.