The Cure For Curie (Complete!)

Move Out

The room on the top floor was dead quiet now. Curie sat in its deafening silence, unable to move. The importance of her next steps were immeasurable and she was just not ready to take them. She had dreamt of this day for so long and she was afraid.

She was afraid of losing. She was afraid of the sheer number of men and women whose lives hung in the balance. Most of all, she was afraid of the aftermath. She knew that when this was all over, the grieving would come. She didn't want to face it, the hard realization that people and places were gone. Wiped off the face of the Earth by anger and hate.

"Alright, are you ready to go Curie?"

It was John who pulled her from her thoughts. He had stepped out for a moment to talk to Ellie. When he returned he had greeted her with a small smile and a light hand on her shoulder. She nodded in answer.

"I suppose, my love. I must admit, I feel as though I am very nervous of what's to come."

The Sole Survivor pulled her into his strong embrace. He held her there, for what she hoped would be an eternity. She did not want to leave the comfort of his love. She wanted to stay here in this moment, forever.

"Everything will be fine. I promise." He whispered as he kissed her neck. He squeezed her tighter as if his body would swallow hers and they would be one.

"Yes, but I still worry." She spoke as they regretfully parted.

"We will get through this."

"Thank you. Have you told Shaun you're leaving?"

"Yes. I spoke with him this morning."

Curie nodded as she noticed something missing from his arm.

"Where's Detective Valentine?"

"Where he should be, with Ellie. I went over his part in Red Glare. She is leaving with Sturges and Ronnie soon. They will meet us at Hangman's Alley."

"It would be safer to go with them, yes?"

"Yes, but I don't want to. I wanted it to be just you and me. Like old times." John replied as he slipped his hands in hers. She smiled at the thought. It wasn't a long journey but it was something.

"Are we ready to go?" Curie asked.

"Almost. I have a couple things I need to grab. Why don't you meet me outside?"

Curie nodded and kissed his cheek. She headed down the stairs, making her way toward the makeshift barracks. She pulled her armor from the footlocker and laid it out on the bed, checking it for any signs of damage. Satisfied, she began suiting up for the journey. She had just finished strapping her helmet to her belt when Shaun came bursting through the door.

"Mother! Come quick. He's here!"

"Whose here?" She tried to shout after him but he was already gone. She scooped up her pack and rushed out behind him.

Once outside she scanned the area for the boy, catching sight of him on top of one of the guard posts. He was waving frantically and pointing off in the distance. Curie couldn't remember a time the young boy had been more excited. She was glad to see he was adjusting to the foriegn idea of emotions. It would be easier for anyone else to mistake him for a real child.

Curie rushed up the stairs and looked in the direction Shaun was pointing. Squinting into the distance she could see him, it was Dogmeat. She breathed a sigh of relief. He had made it out of Castle afterall. She was overjoyed as she watched that clever dog run towards the settlement.

When the dog was close, Shaun burst through the barricade towards him. Dogmeat began yipping frantically as he pounced on top of the boy. With the young synth pinned down, his face was an easy target for a barrage of doggie licks. Curie watched the two wrestle on the ground, so innocent and pure, it reminded her once again what all this was for.

She wasn't scared any longer. She now had a firm resolve to finish this thing, see it to its end. She would do everything in her power to give her family the life they deserved.

A whistle from behind her caught her attention along with Dogmeat's. His ears perked as he ran to greet John. John scratched the dog's ears and hugged him tight. Shaun joined them at the gate as well, after he had finished brushing grass and dirt from his clothes.

"Hey boy, I need to go away for awhile. Do you think you could be a good dog and watch Shaun for me?" John asked the German Shepherd.

He barked his understanding. John stood and patted Shaun on the shoulder.

"You guys watch out for each other. I'll be back soon."

"I know Father." He replied as the pair turned and scampered off somewhere in the compound.

John turned to Curie, reaching his hand around her waist, he pulled her close.

"Are you ready?" He asked. All Curie could do in that moment was nod that she was.