Fallout 4: Prologue

"War. War never changes...

In the year 1945, my great-great grandfather, serving in the army, wondered when he'd get to go home to his wife and the son he'd never seen. He got his wish when the US ended World War II by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The World awaited Armageddon, instead, something miraculous happened. We began to use atomic energy not as a weapon, but as a nearly limitless source of power.

People enjoyed luxuries once thought the realm of science fiction. Domestic robots, fusion-powered cars, portable computers. But then, in the 21st century, people awoke from the American dream.

Years of consumption lead to shortages of every major resource. The entire world unravelled. Peace became a distant memory. It is now the year 2077. We stand on the brink of total war, and I am afraid. For myself, for my wife, for my infant son - because if my time in the army taught me one thing:

It's that War, war never changes..."

It was a beautiful Saturday morning in Sanctuary Hills. The sun was shining bright, the blue sky was clear of clouds, the birds were singing away, and despite the constant threat of the war reaching Boston, everything was peaceful and...perfect.

2076, Anchorage, Alaska...

"Colonel! Colonel, watch out! You've got more Reds advancing at your Nine o'clock!" a voice shouted.

"I see 'em! But i'm down to my last two mags! You got any extra mags that you can spare, Captain ?" Nate shouted back, popping up from his cover to fire out the window at the closing-in Chinese forces.

Nate and the Captain were pinned down by enemy fire in a mostly destroyed building, with their only way out of it blocked by the advancing Chinese forces.

"I think we have something better for you, Colonel." a new voice called out from behind.

Nate was startled, and spun around in an instant to meet the voice.

"Jesus Christ, Monty!" He yelled "-You trying to kill me before the Reds do ?! You gave me a goddamn heart attack!" Nate joked, seeing his close friend - Sergeant Benjamin Montgomery and two other soldiers now standing in the building with them. All of them members of 'Strike Team Alpha' that'd been previously separated.

"Hah-hah! Sorry Johnny! It wasn't our intention on coming in through here, we were attacking the Abandoned Mining Town like we'd planned, but some Reds reinforcements forced us this way. But hell, i sure am glad we were pushed this way now."

"Well...Well how exactly did you get in here ? I didn't notice any other entrances when he got forced in here before!" Nate replied, motioning between himself and the Captain.

"There's a pretty large gap in the ceiling upstairs, don't know if you've noticed. When we got here we climbed the wall outside and vaulted over the gap to get in here. Now, i recommend you take this bad boy instead of your almost empty 'AR' there!" Montgomery said, un-holstering a Gauss Rifle from his back and handing it over to Nate, and handing the Captain an armor-piercing Sniper rifle.

"I meant to return this to you earlier, after we destroyed those artillery guns up in the hills together. But, well...i guess i may have gotten a bit too attached to her, hah! Here take her back, and be good to her, y'hear? You treat her well, and she'll treat you the same." Montgomery joked.

"Excellent. Thanks Benji. Alright, Captain - I want you upstairs with 'Rocket Man'. Surprise those Reds by killing as many as you can, and keep the rest from closing in on our position! The rest of you will stick with me. So pick a window...take whichever one looks the nicest to you, so long as you can help push back the Reds i don't care which one you take, just make it count. Alright, Strike Team, we have our target in sight, so lets help our boys out and go kick some Commie ass!"

Nate lay cuddled up in bed, fast asleep, with his Wife of ten years, Nora.

One lay on their back snoring, and the other lay face down drooling, something they often joked about.

There was a sudden jolt of movement in the bed, which was enough to awaken Nora, her eyes opened and rose her head up, cursing to herself as she wiped her drool from her face and pillow. She lazily looked up to scan her sleeping husband for any of the usual signs she knew by now to look for. When nothing concerning happened she just shrugged, closed her eyes again and cuddled into her Husband's side.

A few minutes of peacefulness passed and then there was a jolt again suddenly. This time when Nora scanned her husband, she saw that Nate's eyelids were flickering erratically and his breathing had began to quickly grow more and more rapid.

She placed her palm against his chest, concerned yet waiting to see if he'd wake up from this on his own first.

"Hon ?"

There was no reply, but he had started to gradually look more and more uncomfortable in his sleep.

"Nate ?"

Later that day...

"OH SHIT! MONTGOMERY, LOOK OUT! Shit! Hey, keep your fucking head down man, or you'll lose it! Jackson! We got four of the Commie bastards advancing on us! Throw any grenades you have, or blind fire at them, but don't try and be a hero and get yourself killed, yeah! Williams! What i need is...Wuh ?! Shi-ANDERSON! I ordered you to stay laid down man! You're already wounded badly enough! If you move too much that wound will open right up again, and it'll need another Stimpak to close it, and we're all down to our last two Stimpak! So do as i say and stay down, that's an order goddammit!"

'Strike Squad Alpha' were fighting exceptionally well, despite the odds. But they were surrounded on both sides by overwhelming Chinese forces. They were losing this fight.

Despite all the noise of gunfire all around their current position, Nate could've swore he just heard a loud 'Thump!' noise close to him. He paid it no mind until he had to rest on his back to reload, and then discovered a painful and frightening sight. They'd just lost Jackson.

Nate was so shocked and angered that he let out a loud scream as he turned back and returned fire, managing to kill three more advancing Reds in quick succession despite the tears that were starting to blur his vision.

...

All of Strike Squad Alpha continued to fight back relentlessly, now even those who'd taken serious injuries. They were the best of the best out of all the american forces stationed here, that's why they'd been given the toughest missions to complete.

They'd already taken down a Listening Post guarded by Invisible Snipers, that had skilled swordsmen, apparently named "Dragoons Spies" wearing stealth suits which turned them invisible stalking them on the inside.

Nate and Benjamin had taken out three artillery guns up in the mountains guarded by brutes utilising Flame-Throwers.

And just recently, they had blown up Fuel Tanks guarded by highly-advanced "Chimera" Tanks, which had been a difficult task indeed. Even on their way there they had been relentlessly attacked by these strange "Spider-Drones" - special attacking machines made by the Reds.

The Squad had been on their way to the trenches to fight their way to the Pulse Field and disable it, so that they could attack the Refinery the Chinese were using as their HQ. But they were ambushed and attacked by a heavy number of Reds. They had become pinned down in this crater and one by one had been wounded.

...

Between them all, they managed to kill or fatally injure at least half of the advancing Reds surrounding them despite the hailstorm of bullets that had them pinned them down in that spot.

Nate was sweating such an immense amount that he felt sick, his back was screaming in pain, his arms and sides had been grazed by a few bullets already, and more than anything he was just utterly physically and mentally exhausted.

And then...as if their luck wasn't bad enough already, a grenade landed right smack in the middle of the crater the Squad were stuck in.

"SHIT! GRENAAAADE!" Montgomery screamed.

Nate was about to dart over to grab it and toss it back. But someone else reacted quicker.

Anderson, who was sat right next to where the grenade landed, without a second thought rolled over and threw himself on top of the grenade. He curled himself up tight and closed his eyes shut tight. But not before speaking his last words.

"Been a p- a pleasure, guys..." he coughed out.

"ANDERSOOOON!" Everyone else shouted in unison.

...

*KA-BOOM!*

"Hon? Honey ?! Nathan ?!"

Nate suddenly bolted upright, letting out a loud gasp, and a dry throat caused him to start coughing pretty badly. He quickly realised that he was soaked in his sweat and that his breathing was rapid and heavy...again.

"Nathan ? Honey, you okay ?!" Nora asked, concern evident in her tone.

Nate turned and looked at her, but didn't say a word.

Nora already knew what he'd just experienced and was there to comfort him and give him support. - "Hey...hey, honey. It's okay...it's okay." Nora told him, taking great care with her tone, and making sure to remind him that he was safe again and back here with her, as she wrapped her hands around his head and gently pulled him against her body into a warm hug to comfort him.

"Nora..." Nate whispered against her skin.

Nate slowly managed to calm his breathing down, letting it return to normal. When Nora let him free from her loving, supportive hug, Nate broke his gaze immediately and just started looked down, and started wiping his face.

"Same one again, hon ?" She asked softly.

Nate nodded faintly. "Yeah. It...it happened again, Nora. I just...i can't seem to stop having that same nightmare. I keep seeing that memory repeat itself...over and over, and over again. I...can't get the sight of their faces in their last moments, or the last words that they said to me...i just...i can't get them to stop haunting me!" Nate told her, forcing himself to hold back tears, even though his voice had already broke once already as he was speaking.

"Hon...I'm so sorry you're still having to go through all of this. But...unfortunately, the most tragic moments in life seem to stick with a person forever...and nothing i say can make it stop haunting you. And god I wish i could make it go away for you..."

"I know you do...huh, me too. It's just...i keep seeing them, Nora. My Squad. My Brothers and Sister in arms, my...the best friends that i ever had. And now the only clear memory i have of them is to see them killed ov-" Nate choked on his words and cleared his throat before he started over again.

"I keep seeing us surrounded by the Reds, and i see them getting killed over and over again...and...God, i just couldn't save them, i could never save them...And all i can think about is how i'm alive and they're dead, and that's not fair! I-I tried so hard, but they...God! It should've been ME, not THEM!" Nate admitted, raising his voice enough to showcase his disappointment in his actions in the past, and mainly about how he felt he wasn't a good enough friend or soldier, and had failed them.

Nora gasped slightly at his revelation, and quickly, but gently, grabbed his chin and brought his eyes up to meet hers, telling him -

"No. Honey, stop saying these mean things about yourself, you can't think like that. Ever. Nate, you know deep down that it wasn't your fault, okay ? They chose to follow you into that battlefield, you never forced them to. They chose to fight alongside their friend, because like you they cared a great deal about their fellow soldier, okay ? And they never would've let you go out there all alone. So please hon, for them and for me...please don't keep blaming yourself for their deaths, because i know for a fact that they wouldn't." Nora said, giving her hubby a small smile.

A tear ran down Nate's cheek which Nora quickly wiped away.

And despite his tears...he still managed to give her a smile back.

"Ah...God, oh what would i be without you, huh darling ? God, I love you so much." Nate told her, feeling much better now.

Nora smiled at him and they cuddled each other again. Without another word spoken, the two just lay back into down against the mattress and Nate wrapped his arms around her. Using this time now to get his mind off of...that nightmare, and to cheer up and be his usual self again.

They stayed like that for atleast ten minutes afterwards, just resting in silence until Nora randomly brought up a new subject.

"So, today's the big day!" She said in almost a singing-like voice, as she rolled over and looked up at him. "You nervous about it ?"

Nate took a moment to answer. "Yeah, i kinda am...i've never liked speeches. And, uh...well, imagining them all in their underwear certainly doesn't help." Nate said chuckling at the joke, getting a cute giggle out of Nora.

Looking up at the alarm clock atop their bed, Nate noticed the time. It was (08:59). Nora looked over at the windows, reminding herself of the daily task of opening the blinds when they were dressed, but ended up noticed their camera sat on the dresser next to the window. "Ooh. Remember, we really need to get those vacation photos developed."

"Definitely. I'm taking a mental note now. I'm sure we'll get around to it eventually." Nate joked again.

The two of them were then distracted from their individual thoughts by the familiar sound of a small thruster coming to life, followed by some mechanical whirring.

"Ah, that'll be Codsworth powering up for the day then." Nate said, in a now more relaxed tone, as he started to stretch out his legs.

"I think Shaun's still fast asleep though. Hmm. So what d'you think hon...another hour in bed, or a shared shower with yours truly ?" Nora asked in a suggestive, sexual tone she put on just for the hell of it.

"Ooh..my, now that's a tough call. Bed, or Boobs ? Hmm, well...i think i'd be quite stupid to turn down an offer of a warm morning shower with a lady as lovely as you." Nate replied in a equally playful tone.

"Mmm, I like your thinking mister!" Nora replied, as she 'Booped' his nose and they shared a kiss.

Nate chuckled during their kiss and had to explain why. "Mmm, but uh...i think we might scar Codsworth for life if he sees us jump rooms like...well, this. Y'know, given that we aren't actually, um...wearing anything under these sheets...and well, y'know i can't see the appeal in getting dressed for all of ten seconds before i need to de-robe again anyway." Nate joked.

"Um, well whose idea was that for us to ditch our clothes in the hallway last night ?" Nora asked poking Nate's chest with her index finger, and acting like the innocent one.

Nate's only response was a lengthy pause.

"Um...Mine." Nate finally admitted, saying it somewhat quietly.

"Mmm-Hmm. Well anyway if we get up and move quickly we'll be in the bathroom before he's even left his room. But besides, even if he does see, we'll just explain that it'll save more water this way, right ? Now c'mon, you big chicken." Nora joked as she climbed up out of bed. The bed covers naturally fell down off of her body, revealing her exposed backside.

As she strutted around the bed and over to the door Nate, playfully but lightly, leapt forward and smacked her bare ass.

Nora just giggled to herself happily at his change in mood and his sudden playfulness. Giggling all the more when Nate quickly rose out of bed after her and bear hugged her from behind.

As they left their room they made sure that Codsworth was still inside his room first before they quickly popped their heads into Shaun's room to check on him. The little boy was still sound asleep, and after giving each other an 'aww' look they quickly darted into the bathroom together, making sure the door was closed.

They immediately hopped in the shower and closed the curtain behind them. Nate turned on the shower and Nora shrieked when she felt cold water hit her bare skin.

She looked at her husband, mouth agape along with a serious expression that told him he'd regret that. And he did when she smacked him somewhere...sensitive.

They both just laughed it off though.

Nora began to run her hands through her hair, wetting it and then grabbing the soap from it's dispenser. As she began to start cleaning herself with it Nate gave her another big bear hug from behind. And as he rested his chin on her shoulder he looked down and couldn't resist giving her heavy breasts a quick little jiggle around.

But then an idea formed in his mind...and he smirked at the thought.

Nate let her wash herself for some time before he put his dastardly plan into motion.

As she continued to wash herself with the soap, he quickly jerked Nora's elbow forward and watched as the soap sprang out of her hand and hit the deck. He faked a shocked gasp and asked her "Oh dear. Why, did you just drop the soap ?"

"Haha. Funny..." she replied as she bent over to pick it up, giving her husband a nice view of her large round behind.

Nate whistled and said. "Just look at that big beautiful bosom! It's like it just wants attention."

Nora laughed away - "Oh, Nate. Hahah, never change, honey."

He laugh along with her and connected his hands with hers, and grabbed the soap from her, now turning around to start washing himself.

As he did so now he felt a chin rest on his shoulder and arms wrap around his waist, and then he felt two very large breasts press up against his back and squash themselves up against his skin, like huge pancakes.

Nate turned back around and found Nora grinning at him, and biting her lip...and dear god, he loved seeing her do that.

20 minutes later...

The couple hopped out the shower, dried themselves off, walked back into their room a minute or two apart, and got dressed for the day.

...

Nate dressed himself in a white t-shirt, with beige trousers. He strapped on his 'designer' silver watch and put on his best dress shoes.

Whilst Nora with her hair still held up and covered up in a towel was now wearing a teal t-shirt with beige and grey checkered trousers, along with her brand new white designer shoes. She even wore her brand new pearl necklace, to add to the look.

...

The sound of the Sports TV channel came from the living room, along with faint humming and the sound of a buzz saw coming from the back garden. "Must be Codsworth trimming the hedges or something." Nora though to herself.

They both went back into the bathroom, and they both slipped their wedding rings back on. Nora let her hair down, and Nate wiped down the steamy mirror and took a look at himself.

Nate had chestnut brown Casual Kempt hair, average dark eyebrows and a small beard that he felt he should shave for tonight. He had green aqua eyes, pale skin and was of a very muscular build, and he had a fair few scars - there was a long scar going down across his right brow, a small scar down the left side of his lips, and two small scars on his chin. He also had three small skull tattoos on the left side of his neck.

As Nate began to shave his beard Nora wrapped her arms around Nate's stomach from behind and rested her chin on his shoulder again, asking him -

"So, have you practised your speech for tonight ?"

"War never changes..." he said in response, over-thinking again about how tonight was the big night he'd been silently dreading.

"You're gonna knock 'em dead at the Veteran's Hall tonight hun, don't worry." Nora said

Nate couldn't help the smile that formed on his face, so he asked her. "You think ?"

"Absolutely!" She said with that encouraging smile of hers.

He loved that about her, how easily she could push his fears and worries away with a few words or a reassuring smile. She always found a way to make any situation easier to deal with.

"-now once you've shaved the rest of your beard go get ready and quit hogging the mirror, you. I need to do my make-up." Nora replied

Nate laughed and countered, "Aw, but you look fine no matter what, sweetheart."

"Aww, thanks hon...But i still need to use it." she laughed

"Right." he said.

Once he was completely clean shaven he left the bathroom.

(This description of Nora takes place for 10 minutes, so that it doesn't seem like she does it in a flash)

Nora looked in the mirror at herself, "Right, time to tidy myself up." Nora currently had the 'No Apologies' hairstyle going on, as last night it had been in the 'Agent X' style for a party her and Nate had attended, Nora brushed her hair and fixed it up, and it was now back to it's normal 'Elegant' style, until yesterday afternoon Nora's hair had always been a natural cool brown colour, but she now had her hair dyed chestnut brown, and she liked it!

She has a hourglass body type, with large 34F sized breasts, a big round derriere, and pale skin like her husband, and the best part ? She didn't even need any of those or any make-up to look beautiful! Nate had been more than lucky to end up with this absolute goddess.

Nora had big pale blue eyes and thin arched eyebrows. When she finished brushing her hair, Nora applied her make-up (Which consisted of - Colourful Red lipstick, Black eye liner 3 and eye liner lower 1, and pink rosy cheeks)

...

Nate walked back into their room, switched on the radio to his favourite station, and pocketed his wallet and his car keys for later, they needed some more food for next week after all. Infact he was pretty sure Nora had put a shopping note up on the fridge of what they needed.

He looked at the golden watch on the dresser that his father had given him when he'd came back from Anchorage, it was a family heirloom that'd been passed down through every generation, and now it was his. It lay next to his miniature american flag and he smiled at the sights. God, he loved that watch.

Walking over to the wardrobe, Nate opened up the wardrobe doors and unlocked the metal box on the floor. Inside was momentos from his time in the army. He looked at his Army Fatigues and Army Helmet that he'd used in many battles, which he'd kept in the best condition he could. He also had a look at his Green Army Service outfit and Jacket, complete with his Veteran's medals he'd been awarded, his Green Army Beret, and his other War-time outfits from his last year and a half in the Army (Operation Anchorage outfit & Live Action Intro outfit), and a few pictures of him, his friends and Strike Squad Alpha. He took a moment before he locked the crate up again and left the room.

Nate walked by the bathroom and noticed that Nora was still busy applying her make-up.

Walking through into the lounge Nate saw Codsworth, who was busy preparing their breakfast. He'd already made scrambled eggs with salmon, prepared on a plate sat on the island ready for Nora, and was currently busy preparing Nate's.

One of Codsworth's eyes was fixed on the stove where he was frying some bacon and two eggs, as well as cooking some sausages in the oven. Another eye was watching the kettle sitting on the hot plate, and the last one was watching the sink fill up with water.

Hearing the footsteps, Codsworth turned the closest eye stalk around to see Nate. "Ah! Good morning Sir!" He cheerfully exclaimed at the sight of his master. He turned off the tap, and lifted the kettle from it's hot plate to fill Nate's coffee cup for him. "173.5 degrees Fahrenheit, brewed to perfection! And today's paper, just delivered!"

"Thanks, Codsworth, and good morning to you too!" Nate said, taking a drink of his freshly made coffee.

"Of course, Sir!" Codsworth replied

"Mmm! Codsworth, this coffee is amazing as always, buddy!" Nate said, complimenting him for the heavenly drink.

"How glad i am you like it, Sir! I also took the liberty of pre-selecting the next issue of Grognak the Barbarian for you Sir!"

Nate walked closer to see what issue exactly he had left out for him, reading the title: "Ooh! Grognak the Barbarian: And the Jungle of the Bat Babies! One of my Favourites! Thanks once again!"

Codsworth turned a dial on the stove, switching it off. He then expertly laid the food out on an awaiting plate, and then pulled the sausages from the oven and did the same with them, placing the plate next to Nora's on the island, ready for them both to tuck into.

"Oh, by the way Sir, i took the liberty of trimming the hedges in the back garden whilst you and the missus took your morning showers!" Codsworth then said, before he started washing the dishes.

"Ah, excellent Codsworth! What would we do without you!"

He sat down on the stool closest to him and took another sip of his coffee, and began flicking through the pages of the comic.

A few minutes later he heard footsteps behind him.

"Ah! Good morning, mum!" Codsworth said, filling up a cup of coffee for her too.

"Good morning, Codsworth!" Nora replied cheerfully, taking a sip of her coffee and sitting down on the stool next to Nate.

"Waaaaaaah!"

"Ah, sounds like someone made a stinky! I shall attend to young Shaun!" Codsworth announced, before he hovered away down the hallway to Shaun's room, humming a song the whole way.

The couple shared a chuckle at the sight. "Y'know i was nervous at first, but Codsworth's really good with Shaun!" Nora said, starting to read the day's newspaper.

Nate agreed with that - "He is, isn't he!"

The couple sat and read their comic book and newspaper respectively, and drank their coffee until Nora randomly said "Can't believe it's almost Halloween! Ooh! That reminds me, i need to finish making Shaun's costume!"

"Yeah, he'll look adorable in it, hahah! Oh, by the way i think we should go and get Codsworth serviced next week, what do you think ?" Nate asked

"Probably a good idea, just incase." Nora agreed

Once they were both finished with their reading and drinking. Nate put both their cups in the sink and looked out the side door at their car.

"Hmm, should probably work on keeping that beauty in top condition with Codsworth after i get back with our groceries later." Nate thought to himself

Nate walked over to the holotape player and reminisced. "Ah, bunch of our old holotape recordings..."

They both sat down on the couch to watch TV, yet Nora took a moment to look behind them at all the items sitting on the shelf behind them. First she looked over at her Law Diploma, thinking to herself - "Lot of late nights, but it was worth it."

Then she noticed a picture of Nate and his friends, back when they were in Anchorage..."Poor Nate..." she then thought

Finally, she looked at the rest of the items, like their large book collections: Nate's comic books, her cooking books, their large family photo collection album, and other items like Nate's Dog Tags, Nora's graduation hat, and a few vases from her mother.

She was about to say something to Nate when...

*ding dong*

"Oh, Can you get that, hon ? It's probably that salesman again. He comes for you every day." she said

"yeah, course. Lets see what he's saying." Nate replied as he vaulted over the back of the couch and opened the door.

"Good morning! Vault-Tec calling!" the salesman said, cheerfully.

"Good morning." Nate replied with a smile

"Isn't it just! Just look at that beautiful sky out there!" the salesman said before clearing his throat. "You can't begin to know how happy i am to finally speak with you! I've been trying for days, but it's of the upmost importance, i assure you, Sir!" he said

"Well, then i'm glad you're here!" Nate replied

"That's the spirit Sir! Now, i know your a busy fellow, so i won't take up much of your time. Time being, a...um, a precious commodity. I'm here today to tell you that because of your family's service to our country, that you have been pre-selected for entrance into the local vault! Vault...111!

"Okay, but there's room for my entire family, right ?" Nate asked, as Nora got up and walked up behind him, smiling politely at the Vault-Tec Rep

"Of course, of course! Minus your robot, naturally, in fact, you're already cleared for entrance. It's just a matter of verifying some personal information. Don't want there to be any hold ups, in the unforeseen event of *ahem* total atomic annihilation. Won't take but a moment." he said

"Sure, let's do it then!" Nate replied

"Splendid, splendid! Now, let's see..." The Vault-Tec Rep said as he handed Nate his clipboard and pencil and Nate wrote down his name.

"Nate Johnson, Retired Veteran, adult male, 29."

He then handed it to Nora and she wrote down "Nora Johnson, Lawyer, adult female, 29." and "Shaun Johnson, male infant, 1."

Nora then handed it back to the Vault-Tec Rep and he replied saying - "Wonderful! That's everything...just gonna walk this over to the vault now...congratulations, on being prepared for the future!" he happily announced to them.

"Thanks again!" Nate said

They both smiled and waved him goodbye as Nate closed the door.

"Wow! That man is FAR too happy for that type of job! Hahahah!" Nate laughed

"Hey, it's piece of mind. That's worth a little paperwork, right ?" Nora asked

"For you and Shaun, no price is too high." Nate said, kissing her on the lips

Nora laughed lightly "Hmm, good answer."

"I have my moments!" Nate replied, as he turned to go get some milk for a quick second drink, when he noticed the empty dog bowl sat next to the table and his heart sank again.

He sighed and muttered - "Never gonna find that dog..."

They had had that dog for two years, since the day Nora had bought him as a puppy while Nate was still out fighting in the war, just before he was deployed to Alaska, for an added 'Welcome Home' surprise for him. And it was a great, welcomed surprise for him indeed...only the American Alsatian went missing a month and a half ago...

"Hey, hey. He'll turn up eventually Nate. He's got to." Nora said to him reassuringly.

"I know, i just miss that cuddly bastard, that's all." Nate replied, with a glimmer of hope.

Nate then walked over to the fridge to get some that Milk, in doing so he decided to read the notes on the fridge door that Nora had left.

'Shopping List: Bread, Cranberry Juice, Cake, also Dish Soap and Bleach :-)' "Hmm, wonder what type of cake ?"

Then he thought to himself - "Need to try some more Cherry or Quantum Nuka-Cola again, they're really damn tasty!"

Now that breakfast was done and the plates were in the sink, Codsworth was heard hovering back down the hallway, calling out to them both, saying -

"Mister Nate, Miss Nora. Shaun has been changed, but he absolutely refuses to calm down. I think he needs some of that 'paternal affection' you two excel at!" Codsworth said as he floated down the hall.

Nora looked at Nate and chuckled "Go on, i'll just be a minute."

So he walked down the hall and into Shaun's room, and found something laying on the floor.

"Huh, how'd you get on the floor, Mr. Bear ?" he asked, picking up the Teddy Bear and placing him back on his spot on the shelf.

Nate walked over to his son's crib, and gently tickled his tummy, earning a cute little giggle in response.

"And how are the two most important men in my life doing ?" Nora asked, having walked through silently and having decided to lean against the door frame, with a hand down on her hip.

"Spin the mobile a bit, he loves that." Nora said as she walked in, closing the door behind them for some private family time.

Nate gave a chuckle as he turned back to face Shaun and spun the mobile. Nora came up behind him and gave him a hug again, it was something she loved doing and was quite fond of doing every chance she got. While little Shaun giggled away happily as he reached out at the flying rockets spinning around above him.

Letting go of Nate, Nora picked Shaun up out of his crib and as asked him "And how's my little angel doing, huh ?" Bouncing Shaun about in her arms a few times, getting a delighted laugh from the baby.

The couple looked around the room and looked at all of Shaun's stuff they'd bought him, visualising what the future had in store for their little guy.

"Wonder what Shaun'll grow up to be ?" Nate asked, holding up the 'You're S.P.E.C.I.A.L' book to Nora

"I'm sure whatever he becomes, he'll be great at it." Nora smiled, Nate looked at the Baseball and Glove on the small table by the door.

"Glove's a little big right now but, Shaun'll grow into it. And i can't wait to play catch with my boy down at the park one day, could maybe even get his baseball signed!" Nate said with a smile.

Looking at the rest of his toys, Nora said "Huh, well he'll either be great at spelling, or great at smashing blocks together. Hmm, and to think, one day he's gonna learn how to drive!" Nora said with excitement.

Nate chuckled and said "I can't wait to teach him how to ride this!" he said pointing at the Tri-cycle, then he looked at Shaun's toy car and said "Hehe, but one day he's gonna learn how to drive a real car!"

Nora put Shaun back down in his crib and placed her hands up on Nate's shoulders.

"Listen, i was thinking we could head down to the park for a bit later. Weather should hold up, like the sound of that ?" Nora asked

"Yeah, that sounds like great fun!" Nate responded, earning another smile from his wife.

"Sir! Mum! You should come and see this!" Codsworth called from the living room, oddly sounding very worried.

"Codsworth ? What's wrong buddy ?" Nate yelled

"I wonder what's wrong with Codsworth ?" Nora asked Nate

"I'll go check, hon." Nate said, exiting the room.

...

As he walked down the hallway Nate could overhear the TV Presenter sounding just as worried, saying - "Followed by...yes, followed by flashes. Blinding flashes..."

"Blinding flashes ?! Oh no. No, no, no! Please don't tell me..." Nate muttered as he entered the living room and walked over to Codsworth next to the TV. They both looked at the TV, and were already feeling very worried.

"Sounds of explosions."

"Shit!"

The News-Presenter looked incredibly worried aswell...

"We're...we're trying to get confirmation..."d

"What ? What did he just say ?" Nora asked, suddenly appearing from behind, walking over to Nate's side with Shaun resting in one arm, and taking Nate's hand with the other.

"But we seem to have lost contact with our affiliate stations...We do have...coming in...confirmed reports of...I repeat, confirmed reports of nuclear detonation in New York and Pennsylvania...My God...Our soldiers were right after all...War...War never changes..." the news man announced, before the channel cut off.

Nora gasped loudly as looked to Nate and Codsworth, worrying and asking them "No, no, no, no, no...this can't be happening! Can it ?"

Now seemingly stuck in panic mode, Nate was still wide eyed and open mouthed at the reports, not registering his worried Wife's question or the reality of the situation...remaining completely silent.

"Oh my goodness me..." Codsworth said

"Nate ? Nate?! Hon ?" Nora said, snapping Nate out of his trance-like state. Causing him to quickly realise what they needed to do.

"We...we need to get to the Vault! NOW!" he yelled, forcing his shaking body to start moving, and to get to that Vault, a.s.a.p!

"Okay, we-we've got to hurry!" Nora agreed, beginning to shake in fear.

Nate vaulted over the couch again and threw open the front door, and Nora ran out onto the porch, but before he began running Nate stopped himself and remembered that Codsworth wouldn't be able to come with them...

"I'm so sorry Codsworth, i guess this is goodbye for now...you stay safe buddy, you hear!"

"And the same to all of you...oh, goodness gracious!" Codsworth replied, saying his potentially last goodbye to his family.

"Alright, c'mon hon! We gotta get moving!" Nate yelled out, as he took Nora's hand again and they sprinted out onto the street.

I hope that you guys liked this chapter, i know that some may or may not like how i made Nate the soldier that the Lone Wanderer plays as in Fallout 3's Operation Anchorage DLC, but i wanted to try something new and different with Nate, and i understand that there were some parts i may have rushed, i intend to dive deeper into Nate and Nora's Pre-War life in future chapters, and i apologise if that shower scene or any other scenes were a bit poorly written, i haven't written in a while, so getting used to it again. Anyways, if you want to leave a review to help me know what you liked and didn't like so that i can improve it for future chapters it'd be appreciated.

Anyways, peace out.