Chapter One: Old Losses, Always Remembered

Hancock stared down from the balcony he stood upon, finishing his speech to the people of Goodneighbor below.

"Of the people, for the people!" The people cheered, repeating those words. The words that slipped that one day he became mayor.

He turned, opening the door and walking back inside. Going over to his private room, the table by the couch had several types of chems on it. Grabbing the mentats he popped open the case, throwing the pieces into his mouth.

Sitting down on the couch he stuffed his hand into his pocket, fishing for a specific item. Grabbing ahold of a chain, he pulled out the necklace from his pocket.

"My sunshine..." He mumbled the engravings, it was a present. So long ago, he was embarrassed to wear such a thing. Still kind of is, but he kept it with him. As a charm, and as a symbol.

He'd never forget.

Never forget the girl who helped him, a friend, and his first real crush.

God... crush. Now, a word like that sounded mushy, odd on his tongue. He changed, was different. Though he couldn't push away any bits of sorrow that he felt whenever looking at it.

He lost her, that was the first thing that always ran through his mind when he looked at the necklace.

He wouldn't openly admit to most that he slept with the necklace around his neck, on nights that he could anyway.

"Life just ain't fair." He reminded himself, placing back the necklace into the safety of his pocket. "It ain't fair."

•▪°○°▪•

You ran through the gates of Diamond city. Feet colliding with the ground in each step, carrying you as fast as you  could.

Cursing under your breath when the sounds of two guards following entered your hearing.

You shouldn't have done it, was what ran through your mind, but you did. You helped those poor people and in return you were deemed traitor. You cursed the damned mayor's name. Ducking when gunshots ran out.

You were losing your breath, you had to lose them.

As you ran into an alley, you turned a sharp right. An old car lot. Great. Just peachy.

You eyes widened, coughed blood, and fell to the ground.

They got you, shot you twice.

You collided with the floor, and for the briefest of moments you thought of everything you did. Everyone you met and helped. Deciding you didn't regret you decisions.

"She dead?"

"She will be. Those wounds will bleed out. This place is abandoned and she doesn't have a single stimpack. Lets go inform the mayor."

The sounds of footsteps faded as did your conscious.
_

With a jolt you sat up, sweat dripped down your temple and you shivered.

"Miss, are you okay?"

You looked to the child, "yeah I'll be fine. Go back to sleep." You answered, the young boy groggily nodded. Laying back down and shutting his eyes.

You wiped your face against the thin trenchcoat that blanketed you. Slippig it on and getting up off the sleeping bag. You had accidentally fell asleep. Something you shouldn't be doing when its just you and a kid.

You peered out the second floor window.

No sign of any danger. But you couldn't be completely safe in the walls of an abandoned house.

You looked to the sleeping child. I'll bring you over to Nick in the morning, he'll know what do to.

The child was one you found kidnapped, so, you killed the captors. Freeing the child, who of course didn't fond you trust worthy. You changed his mind when you saved him from becoming a pack of molerat's meal. That's when he told you his name, Jeremy.

You hated going into Diamond city, ever since that incident. You hid your face, and stuck to the darker parts. Not wanting to be recognized.

You trusted Nick Valentine though, always knew you could. He was a good man- or well- synth, you considered him closer to a real human than a synth despite not looking the part. He had good judgment, and the best advice sometimes.

It was early morning, 5 am is what you'd guess by the looks of things.

You grabbed the plastic bag of sugarbombs from your bag. Turning on the tap water in the house (which surprisingly still worked) and washed your hands. No soap, but you wiped away any sign of dirt and grime.

You grabbed a spoon of the counter, washing it and wiping away any dust. Sitting back down with the bag of cereal and the closes thing to a clean spoon you dug in. Making sure you ate a good enough portion while saving the rest for Jeremy.

You kept the cereal and spoon at your side when you were done.

Time passed, while you sat on your sleeping bag. Thoughts running through your mind, it kept you busy.

"Hey Jeremy." You shook him, "time to wake up. Have some breakfast, then we'll be on our way."

He stirred, cracking open an eye and smiled as he got up to stretch. Quite the morning person.

"Morning Miss (Y/n)." He greeted. "What's gonna be for breakfast today?" He asked, making you gesture to the cereal. You had rewashed the spoon, not wanting to get the boy sick or be disgusted in anyway.

"Come on, eat fast. Then we'll be going to Diamond city." You told him as he picked up the things.

"Okay."

You went over to your backpack, making sure you had all your things inside. Weapons, ammo, stimpacks, rad-x and radways. Hell,you even had a pack of fresh smokes in there with a lighter. Then you had your waterbottle and a bit of food.

Yeah, you got used to the weight your backpack held.

"Donefph." The boy said, handing you the empty plastic and spoon. You took the things, placing the spoon in the sink and the empty bag on the counter. You no longer needed the bag. However you could use the spoon again... nah, you could always find another one.

"Alright lets move." You told him, grabbing your bandana and sunglasses, placing them on your face. You grabbed your backpack and swung it on your back. Jeremy followed your lead, while you walked downstairs you grabbed your silenced pistol. Making it out of the house you glanced at your pipboy map, painted a black with splashed dots of all colours.

When you had fell unconscious that day, you woke up to the sight of treated wounds and- your now current- backpack full of items. The pipboy mysteriously being one of them. A note saying they were now yours taped to the bag.

You woke up somewhere outside the city, father away, on the more rural side. The shack was one that looked to belong to a doctor, but no one was present at the time. So you wrote your thank you note, and left.

When you returned towards the heart of the Commonwealth, you truly realized you were gone for months. Your pipboy said it. You now saw it yourself. And it was confirmed when you ran into Nick Valentine, who was just as suprised to see you.

You became more independent after that and started to respond with less emotion too, people thought you were dead. The perks of that means you aren't seen as a target unless someone finds out. Nick and Ellie keeps your secret, you knew you could trust them with it.

You were broken out of your thoughts when Jeremy spoke up, you noticed you were both closer to Diamond city now.

"Miss, I'm thirsty. Can I have a drink of water?"

You nodded, pulling out your water bottle and passed it to him. To which he thanked you and took a drink.

You put it back once he finished and carried your backpack once more.

"Let's go, we're getting closer. And when we get there call me (Fake/n) unless I say okay?"

"Sure thing Miss (Y/n)."

•▪°○°▪•

Nick looked up from the paper he was reading, "come in." He called out, to which a familiar woman came in followed by a young boy.

The gerberian shepsky by his feet perked up, barking happily.

"(Y/n), its been awhile. How are you?" Ellie greeted then looked to the child, "and who's this?" She waved to the boy in a friendly manner. He shyly waved back, hinding behind (Y/n) as if she were his mother.

"(Y/n)." He acknowledged, nodding to her. She pulled down her bandanna to hang around her neck.

"Nick, Ellie." She replied, "I'm doing alright thank you." She looked to the dog. "How you doin' Cherry-pop?" The dog barked in response, grabbing the boys attention.

"Woah, a dog!"

"Well, you must have a reason for coming here. What do you need?" Nick gestured her to sit, Cherry patting up to the two by the door.

"Jeremy here," she gestured to the boy who crouched to pet the dog, "was kidnapped. I managed to rid of his captors and he says he doesn't have anyone he can go to."

Nick nodded slowly, "you came to me in hopes for some help." He concluded, making the woman nod.

"Pretty much." She sat down across from him. "Any ideas?"

"Well, for now he could stay with me and Ellie. We can think of something in that time, not sure who might want to have a kid under their wing at the moment..." He sighed, closing his golden eyes. "He seems pretty attached to you though." Nick said, cracking an eye open to look at her.

The woman replied with a look, mouthing "no" to him. "I can't put him under risk, you know that Nick."

"Like I said, he can stay here." The detective replied with a shrug. Nick noticed how the boy stared at him in curiosity, he's probably never seen a synth before. Least he's not freaking out. He thought.

"Chica," the woman whistled, patting her lap. The dog trotted over, resting her head on (Y/n)'s lap. The woman stratched the back of her ears. A small smile on her face, something she doesn't show a lot nowadays.

"Jeremy," the woman looked up. The boy turned to her and tilted his head. "Do you think you could stay with Nick and Ellie here? I'll come visit, but I can't stay here for too long." She told him.

"But I wanna go adventuring with you!" He exclaimed, "I don't wanna be cooped up." He argued.

Nick saw (Y/n) frown, he decided to let her speak and try to convince him. "Nick and Ellie are really nice people, Jeremy. They're my closes friends, I'll let Cherry here stay with you. She's good at keeping someone busy."

"But-"

"Jeremy." She said firmly, "I don't want you being in danger, okay? I'll come visit here and there but I need you to stay with them for now." She tried to smile and reassure him, Nick saw how forced it seemed.

Jeremy's shoulders slumped, "o... okay, but you better come visit!" He said, making the woman nod.

"I will." She patted Cherry's head. "Play with Jeremy there, chica." She said nudging the dog to Jeremy.

Nick had also agreed to watch over the womans dog, who was heavily injured when they first found her. (Y/n) patched her up herself, and the gerberian shepsky got attached.

"Can I talk to you? Alone?" Nick gestured to the exit. The woman frowned again, and stood. Telling Jeremy and Cherry to stay inside.

Nick held open the door, closing it behind him. He peeked out the small alley for any sign of anyone else. None.

He turned back to the woman, who had her arms crossed.

Nick leaned against the concrete wall and pulled out a cigarette. "You should see him."

(Y/n) rose a brow, "is that so?"

"I've told you he's out there- different- but out there, in a place called Goodneighbor." He took a breath of the smoke, breathig it out.

"You think I haven't thought about it?" She spat? "I can't... not right now."

"Then when?"

She glared at the ground, Nick saw her fists clench. "I don't know, okay? I don't think I can face him. He didn't come look for me. Even if he heard I was dead, he never looked. Hell you said it yourself." She said, making Nick sigh.

"You hear his side of the story?"

"Course not, haven't seen or spoken to him since I came "back from the dead"," she rolled her eyes. A hand held out and Nick passed her the cigarette.

She took a swig, "I'm confused Nick."

"You're gonna make me confused if you don't continue." He chuckled.

"I don't know what to do anymore," she replied.

"I think you should go see him, that's just me thinking though. It's your choice."

She huffed, "maybe, I can't say I want to though."

"Sometimes we gotta do things we don't want to." Nick looked to her, she nodded.

Letting out a breathy chuckle she responded. "You always give good advice don't you?"

"Hey, I'm jut trying my best here." He shrugged, "come on, its getting darker out."

"Nick." She said, making him pause his movements to open the door. "Thanks, friend."

He chuckled, "no problem."

__________

《A/n: Welcome to a new book! (I love Hancock okay? Get off my back xD)

Also Nick saying "Sometimes we gotta do things we don't want to." Is such a powerful message, and I realize I make Nick say the truest and wisest stuff sometimes :P

P.s Don't do chems, don't smoke, or drink kiddos. It's bad >_>

Ciao~¡》