Good Neighbour

"We're headed towards Scollay Square," I murmured.

"What was that, Blue?"

"Goodneighbor. If memory serves me correctly, Scollay Square was near here. The Old State House is just up ahead. Place was full of hotels and theatres before the war. A good hundred or so years before even I was born, there had been talk about tearing the whole place down as it had gained the same reputation as the area you know as the Combat Zone. But instead of tearing it down, the local government spent money on fixing the place up. Soon was home to fine hotels, theatres, cinema's, restaurants." I chuckled as I added, "Though I have a fairly good idea where the name comes from."

"Uh-oh, sounds like a story," Nick stated.

"There was a woman back in the fifties, talking twentieth century fifties here, called Mary Goodneighbor. She was a burlesque dancer who was filmed doing a full striptease. Scollay Square was already notorious but that really put the stamp on the notoriety. And it was that single event that led to the area being slowly but surely being cleaned up."

"You know your history, Blue."

"Boston born and bred, Piper. If it wasn't for the fact the city was in ruins, or at least if the bombs hadn't dropped, I could have taken you to some fantastic bars hidden down side streets, theatres that would have performances to make you laugh or cry, and restaurants that would serve food to leave you salivating." I sighed. "So much was lost that day."

Like many of the larger settlements around the Commonwealth, Goodneighbor had been fenced off with wooden walls, buses, trailers and anything else that would prevent anyone from launching an attack. There was a single entrance which seemed to be guarded, two ghouls wielding submachine guns by what looked like gates, and a platform above the gates where a third ghoul was keeping lookout.

Apart from earning a curious glance, none of the ghouls said anything as we wandered into the small square, a couple of shops ahead, and the Old State House to my left seemed to be in rather good condition, though appearances could be deceiving. It was possible the entire house inside had been destroyed.

"Well, what now?" Piper asked quietly.

Before I could reply, a human male in a leather jacket approached us, smoking a cigarette. I would have thought being somewhat heavily armed, flanked by a woman wielding a shotgun, would have suggested that people don't fuck with us. But I'd learned there were plenty of idiots across the Commonwealth, and it was likely the man approaching us was yet but another.

Then he glared at Nick next to me. "Well, well, it's the detective. Tracking down another wayward husband to his mistress?"

"Why, someone stand you up?" Nick retorted, earning a muffled giggle from Piper.

"Tryin' that, what d'ya call it? Evasive language, on me?" he asked, taking another drag of his cigarette, before he looked at me. "Who the hell are you? Valentine's new dick-in-training?"

I gestured to the weapon looped over my shoulder. "Someone you don't want to fuck with. So run along now."

"Doesn't work like that, friend. You can't just go strolling around Goodneighbor like you own the place on your first visit. Someone like you need to buy insurance, lest an 'accident' happens."

I grabbed my assault rifle and, barely aiming, put a bullet into his left foot. No chance he'd be walking around anytime soon as he collapsed to the ground. Stepping forward to standing over him, I now aimed the assault rifle at his head. "Heard Goodneighbor has quite the reputation and you've just lived up to it. Be glad I don't another bullet through your head. I hate extortionists. Now, am I free to go about my business?" He met my eyes and there was nothing but fear. No doubt he was used to intimidating settlers and civilians. "Any accidents going to happen to me?" He shook his head. "Good. You have a nice day now."

A sound of someone clapping grabbed my attention, looking up to see a ghoul walking towards me with a broad grin on his face, slowly bringing his hands together. I was immediately amused considering he wore a hat that stemmed from the time of the revolution. Same with his coat, to be honest. Stopping just before me, he first glanced down at the man I'd put a bullet in.

"Finn, Finn, Finn. Looks like you finally bit off more than you can chew." He crouched down next to him. "Now, I want you to think long and hard about what happened today. I hear of you trying to extort caps out of any new arrivals again, you won't live to see the sun rise the next day. You feel me?"

"Yeah, Hancock, I feel you."

"Good. Now you hobble off and get your wound seen to. With any luck, you won't lose your foot."

Finn managed to get to his feet, not without a little difficulty, hobbling away as Hancock turned towards us. "Apologies for the impolite introduction to our community here. Rest assured that miscreants like Finn are the exception, not the rule." He offered his hand. "John Hancock. And you are?"

"Nate Shepard."

The eyes widened slightly. "Hang on… you're not that General, are you?"

"Yeah, I am." I couldn't help the smirk. "John Hancock? You mean the same as the first Governor of Massachusetts? First and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence?"

"Huh, you know your stuff. What brings you to Goodneighbor?"

"Was hoping to speak to the leadership and come to some sort of understanding with the Minutemen, even an agreement if possible."

"You might that find difficult here. Most of the people living here choose to out of necessity. Most of us have been run out of one settlement or another. Plenty of us were run out of Diamond City."

"Bad bit of business that," Piper murmured. I'd heard stories about what happened during my time around the city.

Hancock looked across my companions, amused when his face lit up in a grin. "Know that's Piper. Definitely recognise good old Nick Valentine. How's life treating you, gumshoe?"

"Been rather exciting lately, truth to be told."

"Sure it is. Now, the question I do have is, who's the lady with the look in her eyes that she'd like to grab my nuts and squeeze?"

"This is Cait. She's a friend," I replied.

He nodded and looked back at me. "Look, General. I'm going to level with you. I'm not sure what you expected coming here today, but most of the people here don't take kindly to outsiders. We're the ignored, the downtrodden, the destitute. So we look after each other and everyone else can fuck off. But I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth either. You're here for a reason. Leadership is in the Old State House. Pop in later. Take a look around first."

"Will do. Who's in charge?"

He grinned. "I am. Ain't life grand?"

Laughing to himself, he turned and walked towards the door leading into the Old State House. I was going to suggest everyone split up and look around, but before I could say anything, Piper suggested we stick together, just in case Hancock's faith in his people was a little misplaced. Considering we all carried weapons, I didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to attack us, but I guess caution did keep people alive more often than not.

There were a couple of shops nearby selling supplies. One seemed to be run by a robot, the other by a ghoul. Walking into the latter, we were greeted by a female ghoul who called herself Daisy. She was very friendly and I figured out quickly that she was pre-war. She spoke of enjoying going to the library as a little girl to read all the books. Of times around Boston Common when going on dates with young men. Of getting married to her husband and then the heartbreak of receiving the letter, informing her he was dead, but not knowing where he had fallen or where he was buried.

"Yeah, life certainly wasn't idyllic for some," I murmured.

"How do you know?" she asked.

"How old are you, Daisy? If you don't' mind me asking, of course…"

"Over two hundred and twenty years old… Well, okay, probably closer to two-seventy, but who's counting anyway. Anyone I used to know has been dead a long time now."

"I was cryogenically frozen for two hundred and ten years. I'm technically two hundred and forty odd years old right now."

"No kidding. Okay, prove it. Tell me what life was like before the war."

"I fought the Reds in Alaska. Anything you see done to people around here by raiders or mutants? Double it, and you might gain an understanding of what the war was like at the front. We were butchers. Nothing more, nothing less. And the poor bastards we captured…"

"I remembered seeing the films. Not for the faint of heart at times."

"But after the war, my wife and I lived north of here, place called Sanctuary Hills. Bought a house. Great car. We both had jobs. Wife had studied her arse off to work in law. We had hopes and dreams for the future. It was barely a night or two before the bombs fell that we talked about starting a family."

"Blue," Piper whispered. Never told her that.

"Life was easier before the bombs, I'll say that much," Daisy said, before she sighed, "Well, I believe you. People today have an idealised version of what life was like for us before the bombs. You miss it, life before?"

"I'd be lying if I said no, but I'm not one to live with regrets. Make the best of a bad situation. That's all we can do."

"What's your name?"

"Nate Shepard."

She grinned. "You that Minuteman General everyone has been talking about?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Heard your speech. Mentioned during that you were pre-war. Well, what brings you to Goodneighbor?"

"I was here to offer assistance. Hoping to bring the people of the Commonwealth together."

"Think you'll find that far easier said than done, Nate."

"I know, but I'm willing to try."

"What are your plans for us?"

"None, to be honest. I merely offer you all the protection of the Minutemen. We won't come marching in giving orders. The only thing we'd ask for in return in co-operation. I can already see you wouldn't be able to grow crops, so I'm sure we could provide food and clean water. I'll just have to figure out what you could trade."

"Workers. Plenty of people here looking for something to do. No-one here is looking for a handout. They want a chance, an opportunity. But because most of them are ghouls…"

"People are afraid of them, Blue. They believe all of them will eventually go feral."

Daisy snorted. Sort of. "I've been a ghoul two hundred years and I haven't changed. And I know plenty of others who just want to a chance to live a normal life."

"I'll speak to the leadership later and see what we can agree. Maybe some of you can head north to our settlements. We already have ghouls living among us, and I've heard of a settlement of ghouls to the north-east of here. You ever want to come visit one of mine, Daisy, or even come see the Castle, you just get in contact and I'll escort you myself."

That made her smile, and it was definitely that sort of smile which would normally have led to blushing. "Well, aren't you just a sweetie. Here I thought you'd come marching in and… I'll definitely take you up on your offer later."

Walking towards the centre of Goodneighbor, Piper did have to joke about me apparently flirting with Daisy. I wasn't, I was just being friendly, but I felt I could have talked to her long into the night about what life used to be like. Everyone I had known was long dead. The only people around who could possibly understand would be ghouls. The only difference is that they'd no doubt experienced the horrifying consequences of the bombs being dropped immediately after and then for two hundred years after.

There were plenty of buildings still standing. I assumed most were houses though Nick suggested many were actually warehouses. There was a hotel, the Rexford. I couldn't quite remember that, as whenever Nora and I enjoyed a night on the town, we didn't stay near the area. There was another place called The Memory Den, though, which was obviously what had once been the Olympia Theatre. Nora and I had been inside a couple of times to see a play when we were dating. I couldn't help grin as I knew we'd been all over Boston during our time together.

"You okay, Blue?" Piper asked. I blinked and looked at her in surprise. "Just had a sudden look of melancholy…"

"Ah…" I cleared my throat, feeling a little embarrassed. "Just another vivid memory."

"Nora?" I nodded and shrugged. "Would love to have met her, Blue," she added quietly.

"Yeah." I cleared my throat again. "Anyway, now that we're here, there isn't as much here as I thought there would be. Lot of people around but most of them look…"

"Without any real hope," Nick stated.

"Completely fucked up," Cait added. First time she'd spoken since arriving.

"Looking for someone to bring change, Blue," Piper said.

Looking around again, I made up my mind. I asked one of the guards where people could get a drink, being told that the only decent place in Goodneighbor was the Third Rail, the entrance nearby. I was going to head inside the Old State House to speak to Hancock. Before anyone could ask, I suggested that it was Minutemen business, and I was the leader, so they should head downstairs, have a drink and relax, and I'd come find them later.

The guards inside the Old State House were friendlier than I thought they would be, particularly as I was a strange face. Pointed up the central staircase, I walked into a large room to find Hancock relaxing back on a lounge. Opposing him was a woman who, at any other time I would have thought was a raider, considering what she was wearing. She glanced at me, looked me up and down, then seemed to forget I existed.

"Take a seat, General," Hancock said, before he gestured at the table, "Need a hit of anything? Little Jet perhaps?"

I took a pack of cigarettes from my pocket. "I'll just have one of these."

"Not one for chems?"

"Stick to these and booze. Only time I did chems was at the front. Stimulants mostly."

"Ah, that's right, the front. You mentioned you were pre-war. Speak to Daisy?" I nodded. "Lovely woman. Hard life, like most ghouls, to be honest." I lit all three of us a cigarette, sitting back and taking a couple of puffs before he spoke. "Right, so… Minutemen. Minutemen. Minutemen. Never thought I'd hear the day they would reform. Thought they were long gone as a group."

"Hasn't been easy, but we've taken back the Castle and we control a large area to the north of the river."

"What can you offer us?"

"Protection for those who wish to remain here. But I've already noticed the locals. Those who wish to head north and join one of our settlements, they'd be welcome. Human or ghoul. All are welcome. The only requirement is that they'd have to contribute."

"Okay, so is that all you want from us?"

"What I would like from Goodneighbor, in the end, is for you to join any sort of civilian government we form in the end. Every settlement will be given a voice. Anarchy has no doubt reigned since the bombs dropped. Diamond City has a mayor, and our settlement has a semblance of authority that rests in myself, but once the Commonwealth is safe for all, I want to see a civilian government formed."

"Don't think people will accept ghouls in any sort of government."

"They will if the leader of Goodneighbor is a ghoul and his or her voice will be equal to all other settlements."

"And what would your role be? I mean, you're obviously in charge of quite the force already. Willing to just hand over power?"

"Don't crave power. Don't want power. I'm simply doing what needs to be done regarding the threats to the Commonwealth."

He finished his cigarette and nodded. "Sure plenty out there wouldn't believe a word of it, but tell you what, Minuteman. You do me a solid right now, and I'll see if I can get these people around here to support your cause. Shit, some might even be interested in heading to one of your settlements if they're guaranteed a little food and shelter."

"Long as they work, they'll have both. What do you want from me?"

"Heard some bad shit about this place called the Pickman Gallery. Been wanting someone to go and check it out, but no-one is willing to head north and check it out. Can tell you exactly where it is. Care to scope it out, see what the deal is?"

"Sure, if it will help put minds at rest."

"Put mine at rest, that's for damned sure. Heard more than one horror story about shit going on around the Commonwealth. Trouble is, half the time, the truth is actually worse. Hope this time that it's just the usual exaggerated story from a few frightened people."

"I'll return when I have some news."

"Sure you don't want a little something before you go? Got all sorts of stimulants here."

"I haven't taken anything since I left the army, Hancock. Probably best I don't restart. Not that I was addicted, but I'd rather not take the chance."

"I feel you, General. I feel you. Got to be careful with this shit. Hopefully you'll return with some good news."

No idea what I was actually going to find at the Pickman Gallery but considering what I'd seen around the Commonwealth already, it was going to a house of horrors or something completely overblown. Heading downstairs into Third Rail, it was amusing to find they'd converted the old station into a bar, with a lounge singer currently at the microphone. I joined Cait and Piper at the bar, and couldn't help listen into the tune. A real reminder of old times.

"So how was the meeting?" Piper asked.

"Not sure he's entirely convinced but he's asked me to do something for him, possibly a test of how honest I'm being."

"What's the job?"

"Wants me to check out somewhere called the Pickman Gallery."

"No shit!?" Cait exclaimed, causing Piper and I to look at her. "It's just… you know the Combat Zone was full of raiders, right?" We nodded. "Well, though the groups don't particularly like working with each other, they'll still deal, still meet, still work together when it makes sense. And I've heard this Pickman name mentioned more than once in conversation. Thing is, it was scaring many of the groups, and it takes a fucking lot to scare raiders."

"You sound interested, Cait," I suggested.

"Shit yes, I am. Seeing raiders shitting bricks brightened my day considerably. I want to see what had so many of them scared."

"Why don't we go deal with ourselves?"

"What, just me and you?"

"Piper, reckon you and Nick can get back to Diamond City yourselves?"

"Of course, Blue." She met my eyes and smiled. I was wondering if she'd be a little put out by being left behind, but I figured this was something Cait might want to deal with, plus it would give us an opportunity to speak alone. "Nick's over in the Memory Den, chatting with a friend. I'll let him know you'll meet us back at Diamond City later."

"Should be back tonight."

Piper finished her drink quickly, kissed my cheek and wished us luck before she headed up the stairs. I'd only ordered a small drink so finished that, Cait sculling the rest of her beer, looking at me expectantly. Gesturing with my head, I led her up the stairs and outside. She asked if I knew what I was going, assuring her I wasn't going to get us lost. Checking the time, I was happy to see it was still before midday, so we had plenty of time.

Getting to Pickman Gallery did take a little longer than anticipated as we had to avoid certain streets and areas. As I wasn't in power armour, I was having to be a little more circumspect. Though I wore combat armour, it only covered certain important parts. Still capable of losing a limb or worse if someone had a good gun. Even a pipe weapon could cause significant damage if wielded expertly. A bullet is a bullet when it hits flesh.

Approaching the building Hancock had described, there were around four raiders outside. A couple were on patrol, another two were in conversation about what was going on inside. Cait proved she could be rather sneaky when required, and was able to overhear that at over a dozen raiders had gone inside, led by someone calling himself Slab.

I was surprised at the effective team we immediately made dealing with the four guards outside. Cait put a shotgun blast into the chest of one, and that suckered the other three down an alley towards us. It was like shooting fish in a barrel, another blast from her, a few short bursts of rifle fire from myself putting down the trio.

Standing to either side of the door, Cait whispered, "How do you want to handle this?"

"Well, you carrying a blade?" She shook her head. "Neither am I, so we're going to draw attention rather quickly. But I've done house sweeps before. Follow my lead, watch for booby traps. We're here for recon only."

She nodded, looking a little nervous but keen to get inside and I think she what she could do. Carefully opening the door, I was surprised at how illuminated the place was. I also heard plenty of voices. Down the hall were at least three raiders. Sounded like they were hammering against a door. I carried a couple of grenades as usual, glancing at Cait with a grin as I unhooked one, pulled the pin, waited, then rolled it along the floor. There was one cry of surprise before it exploded, leaping into action straight away, running down the hallway and putting a bullet in the three of them, just to make sure.

Clearing the ground floor of the other raider, we had a quick look around and I certainly felt my stomach turn. Dead raiders, I was used to seeing. But it was what was done to the bodies. It was beyond mutilation. Yet the paintings around walls, wondering if they'd been painted in blood, left me thinking that the bodies in the middle of the floor was supposed to be art. Macabre as fuck, matching all the paintings, but I was left thinking it was supposed to be art.

The door the raiders had been trying to get through was locked up tight, so we headed upstairs. Ran into a couple more raiders, taking them down without a problem, as they were terrified of the unseen menace. Found another raider, or at least parts of him, the walls and floor dripping with blood. No surprise when we found a snapped trip-wire linked to a double barrel shotgun. Found more bodies and, resting on a few was a card. It simply said 'Pickman Was Here'.

"This is all kinds of fucked up," Cait murmured, "I've seen some shit in my time, but this is something else. But there's also the fact these are raiders, and if anyone deserved it…"

"Before the bombs, we'd have called whoever this Pickman is a serial killer. Definitely has to have a screw loose. But can't help at least slightly agree. Only slightly."

The way down was hole in the wall. I took one look at the way down and turned around. Back in front of the locked door, I sighed to myself at my own stupidity. "Cait, do you mind blasting this…" Didn't even finish the sentence as she stepped forward and blew the lock off. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," she retorted, sarcastically, but there was a smirk when I glanced at her.

We ended up underground again, following a series of tunnels that weaved around the old sewer system. Smell was as unpleasant as always. Had to work our way past a few raiders, though ended up coming across more than one dead body, as it was obvious Pickman had lined the tunnels with mines and other traps to catch out the unwary. Plenty of missing legs on the corpses we passed and more than one missing a head, having been scythed away by a sharp blade. Those raiders that survived must have known we were coming, or had been left behind by Slab to watch his back.

It was at those moments I did wish for my power armour as the bullets would have harmlessly pinged off the thick steel. Thankfully there was enough cover that I could shoot and move, Cait proving to be surprisingly adept at tactical engagement, though I guess she couldn't just run ahead and start blasting either. She would cover me, I would cover her. Only a few of the raiders even understood the meaning of the word 'cover', running at us firing wildly, no doubt thinking they'd intimidate us. Even Cait aimed calmly before pulling the trigger.

In the end, we followed the voices, arriving at a ledge where I could see a lone man in a suit surrounded by five raiders. One of them was obviously their leader, Slab, as I'd figured out long ago that the leaders generally wore some bizarre looking armour. He was busy mocking who I assumed was Pickman, who stood with an air of calm that was, admittedly, a little unnerving. Cait and I watched with interest to see what would happen.

Instead of just shooting Pickman, Slab and his companions thought trying to take him down by hand or blade was a better idea. And that's when Pickman took out his own blade and proved how he'd managed to overcome the lot of them. Slab sent the others forward first, and Pickman made such short work of them, I gestured to Cait to hold back. I don't think he needed our help.

Slab still thought trying to use his blade was the best idea, even after seeing his four companions put down with consummate ease.

"You're dead, Pickman!" Slab cried as he charged forward.

"Is he… humming?" Cait whispered. I grunted my agreement as I watched Pickman simply toy with the raider. A cut here, a cut there. The old Chinese proverb, death by a thousand cuts. Or it would have been if Pickman seemed to grow bored of just playing with the raider, and a simple slash across the throat had the raider on his knees, trying to cover the wound. Pickman glanced up in our direction as the raider collapsed to the ground.

Jumping down from the ledge, I gestured for Cait to cover me as I approached Pickman carefully, keeping my hands free, as I simply didn't want to provoke the man. But he stood with an air of calm, almost amused by my presence. "Friend or foe?" he asked.

"I'm not entirely sure, to be honest."

"Ah, honesty. A rare commodity in the Commonwealth these days. Well, tell me. You have been through the gallery. What did you think of my art?"

"Horrifying. Completely fucked up. I'm sure many would see some sort of macabre beauty to it. Then again, you seem to be focusing your intent on raiders. Is that what this whole thing about? Eliminating them?"

"They are a blight on the Commonwealth. I would have thought you would believe I was doing you a favour. Plus, they are just perfect for my creations."

"You going to start attacking innocent people? Such as my Minutemen or just average citizens?"

"No, why would I when I have so many raiders to add to my collection?"

I glanced at Cait. "What do you think?"

She almost laughed. "What do I think? I think this guy is possibly the most fucked up person in the Commonwealth. But if he's doing this to raiders, got my support."

Giving it a few second's thought, I finally just shrugged. "I could kill you, Pickman. I probably should kill you for what I found upstairs. But… I want assurances that you won't cause harm to any innocents. And you know what I mean by that. You don't target the Minutemen. You don't target civilians. But if you take out a few more raiders, perhaps Gunners, even mutants, then frankly, you're doing me a favour."

"I can agree to those terms. There are plenty of raiders to make my art with."

"Yeah, don't need to know the details. Do I need to warn you what will happen should you target anyone else?"

"No. I can figure out who you are by the weapon you're carrying, the armour you're wearing, the fact you mentioned the Minutemen first. Trust me, General, your people will be safe. I have no urge to pick a fight with anyone else, particularly yourself."

"Okay." I glanced at Cait. "Let's go."

"There's a ladder to the surface nearby, General."

Stepping out into fresh air, I walked towards a nearby bench and sat down. Cait sat next to me and we must have sat there in silence for at least ten minutes. Half the time, I was tempted to just head back down and put a bullet in Pickman. But despite the fact he was clearly insane, the fact he appeared to only be doing his thing to raiders… part of me, admittedly, applauded him. That part of me that I'd left behind in Alaska long ago but had woken up since I'd thawed out.

"Surprised you left him alive," Cait said. I met her eyes, to see that same smirk. "Had you picked as some goody two-shoes."

I couldn't help snort. "Speak to the others, Cait. I'm sure they could tell you at least a couple of stories about what I'm capable of."

"Why did you let him live?" she wondered.

"I've executed enough people in cold blood lately. And, as I said, he's doing what he's doing to raiders. He's a complete and utter psychopath but… the pragmatic part of me says let him continue what he's doing for the time being, and I'll just try and forget about it. I'll return and deal with him eventually as there's no way he's going to just remain killing raiders. He'll thirst for new blood."

"They're just fuckin' raiders anyway."

"But still human. And what he's doing…" I trailed off and sighed. "Should go back down there and just shoot him," I muttered.

"But will you?"

"No. Because despite the fact I know we're scaring off raiders, forcing them away from what had once been easy pickings for them, the fact he alone will draw more towards him, and he'll probably kill more before they do eventually kill him, he's probably going to make my job a little easier."

Walking back to Goodneighbor together, I wouldn't say Cait opened up, but she did talk about some of the fights she experienced during her three years at the Combat Zone. I just let her tell me stories without asking any questions, figuring if I tried to get personal, she would shut down and not want to talk. She was surprisingly open about what she had to do in the ring, very much a case of fighting to survive each and every time. No doubt life for three years had been brutal. Add that the raiders were there, and I almost dread to think.

Hancock wasn't surprised to see us return within the day, though night had fallen by the time we walked into the Old State House. I didn't go into great detail about what was going on at the Pickman Galley, just that something horrific had taken place, but no innocents had been harmed. Whoever Pickman was, he'd been targeting raiders. Hancock seemed happy enough knowing that his people were not being harmed.

Aware we wouldn't want to return to Diamond City in the dark, he suggested we head to the Hotel Rexford for the night, adding that we just mention his name and we should get a discount on a room. As for any sort of agreement, he said he'd think about it, but while he'd rather Minutemen not patrol the streets of Goodneighbor itself, keeping the streets around the settlement, and certainly further afield, would be appreciated by everyone.

There was only one room available. Cait didn't seem overly concerned, even when walking into the room to find a double bed. She glanced my way, shrugged, then dumped the shotgun and her small pack on the bed, before asking if I wanted to wet my whistle. Better idea than just sitting in the room for the rest of the night so we headed back to The Third Rail for a meal and a drink.

She wasn't exactly talkative though noticed she certainly enjoyed more than a few drinks. I took it easy, figuring I'd end up having to half-carry her back to the hotel once we were done for the evening. It was surprisingly raucous as the evening progressed, a slight reminder of the distant past, the only difference being I was mostly surrounded by ghouls. But they were friendlier than I thought they'd be, considering the circumstances.

What didn't surprise me too much was Daisy walking in. She must have seen me at the bar, as she seemed to rather quickly find a spare stool next to me, and after buying her a drink, we must have spent a good couple of hours reminiscing about the old days. Didn't take very long to convince her I hadn't been pulling her leg. Think she had believed me anyway, but I was able to tell her things no-one could have possibly known after the bombs dropped.

"Jesus, just take her back to our room and fuck her, Nate," Cait stated, not sure if she was joking or not. Guess Daisy and I had been reminiscing for quite a while by then, and the drinks had been flowing.

Thankfully, Daisy chuckled at the idea. "God, can't remember the last time I had some dick inside me."

"Been a while?" Cait asked.

"I'm a ghoul. Not exactly a line of people lining up to sleep with me."

"What about other ghouls?"

"Even they can be picky." She sighed. "Thing is, even after two hundred years, I still have… desires. Needs. Wants. And things still work down there. Well enough anyway. And it gets awful lonely sometimes."

"Still get wet?" Cait wondered.

"That's what I meant by things still work. Don't look great on the outside, things still peachy on the inside." She fell silent for a few seconds. "Why are you so interested?" she asked Cait.

"Just curious. Haven't had the chance to talk to many ghouls lately, and even fewer ghouls of the feminine persuasion." She gave me another elbow. "You two have been getting on well tonight. Take her back to our room and let her ride your dick."

I almost spat my drink out, needing to cough for a few seconds. "Don't worry about it, Nate. I'm not expecting…"

"I'm not saying no. It's just…"

"The idea is a little weird?"

"Yeah, that. Don't mean to offend but…" I took another sip of my drink. "You're welcome to join us in our room. At least you don't have to go to sleep alone, if you'd like."

"I'd like that," Daisy whispered.

The three of us enjoyed the rest of the night before returning to the room at the hotel, Daisy eventually spooning back against me, Cait keeping to herself behind me. Don't think she was interested in that sort of thing yet. Made Daisy laugh in the morning when we woke up and I had the usual morning erection. "Haven't felt one of those against me in a long time," she whispered. She turned and met my eyes as she slid a hand down into my underwear. The grin that formed was rather endearing. "Oh my," she whispered, "The General has a big dick."

I figured I'd rather the favour, sliding my hand into her underwear, raising my eyebrows in surprise when she hadn't been exaggerating. She was already excited. No missing that fact.

We had sex. Cait watched intently as Daisy slid off her underwear, straddled my lap and slid down my cock. She kept her shirt on, feeling a little embarrassed about certain womanly features she now lacked. But she enjoyed herself thoroughly. So did I, to be honest. She was very sweet, and it just goes to prove that you don't always need a physical attraction.

"Damn, she's really enjoying it," Cait whispered next to me.

"Best dick I've had in centuries," Daisy exclaimed, riding me hard and fast, and the three of us learned that she could still enjoy an orgasm.

"How's her pussy?"

"Tight and wet. Just the way I like it," I replied, earning a rather sweet grin. If she'd been capable, I think she would have spent most of the time blushing.

Eventually rolled her over when I needed to cum, and hearing her urge me on to fuck her was actually quite the thrill. Once I did finish, we lay there breathing deeply. "Holy shit," Cait whispered, "That was… hot and weird at the same time."

"Weirded out?" Daisy wondered, looking anxious rather quickly.

"Not at all," I replied softly, giving her another soft thrust, which provoked a grin, "We had a good time last night, and this was a good way to start the day."

Pulling out and rolling into the middle of them, I noticed Cait's eyes look down my body to my cock. She was just in her underwear, but there was no missing the slight interest in what she could see. Daisy rolled onto her side and cuddled into me, wrapping an arm around her. "Post sex snuggle," she whispered.

"Give me fifteen minutes and you can ride me again."

That made her chuckle. "You sure?"

"Nowhere urgent to be. Just the walk back to Diamond City."

"I always loved being fucked from behind."

"Then we'll do that."

Leaving the room just before they would have kicked us out, Daisy had been properly fucked that morning, and she certainly walked downstairs with a broad grin. Opening her store, there were a couple of people waiting, wondering where she was, but the grin certainly drew a few questions. I think those were answered when she gave me quite a long hug before Cait and I had to leave.

"You ever in Goodneighbor again, you be sure to stop by."

"I'll be sure to do that, Daisy. Maybe another night at the Rexford?"

She trailed a hand down my chest. "Maybe you could just spend all night fucking me instead of just the morning?"

"Hmmm. Now that sounds like a good idea."

Walking out the gates and starting our walk back to Diamond City, Cait lased all of two minutes before she started to laugh. "What?" I asked.

"I didn't actually think you'd go through with it. I wasn't joking last night, even I could see she was very sweet. But most men wouldn't…"

"Guess I'm not most men then," I said with a grin, "And you just said it. She was very sweet. And after all that talking, I can't say we didn't connect. It was nice talking to someone who could look around like I do and know what it used to look like."

"Well, certainly put a smile on her face anyway."

Returning to Diamond City by the time it was lunchtime, the first thing I did was tell Piper what I'd been up to, honesty being the best policy. She kissed my cheek and admitted to actually not being very surprised, that she'd been very sweet, and that I simply proved that I was a good man.

Not sure how I proved that last one, but I had left feeling good about things. And I hadn't lied. If I did return to Goodneighbor, I'd certainly enjoy time with her again.