Crawl Out Through The Fallout (Fo4 Fanfic)

Lost Days

     "Is he ok?" " Couldn't say... I've never seen him sit still for this long." A nervous exchange between Sturges and Preston. Preston had just finished a lap around Sanctuary. Sturges had gone back to his tinkering. The two looked to Erin, who sat out on the porch. He was so still they could hardly tell if he was breathing. Preston debated sending him out to do some work but he didn't have a map, unlike Fiona with her Pipboy. Sturges on the other hand was frankly too intimidated by the man to ask him to help out around the settlement. Hed also caught on that Erin doesn't really do anything unless it's Fiona asking. 
      What surprised them was that Mr.Graves was completely calm. Or at least it seemed that way. Preston had no doubt the General would return soon enough.
           
          It's been 4 hours where is she? Erin sighed, running a hand through his hair. Over the hours he would cringe thinking about what he'd said to Fiona that morning. Of course he knew she could handle herself. He just didn't want there to be any room for her to possibly be harmed. He didn't want to admit to her, or himself for that matter, that she really didn't need him. Because what happens when she doesn't need him anymore? He hated this feeling. He hated how Fiona weaseled her way into his mind so easily. He felt weak and he hated it. It seemed as though a whole day went by, time goes so slow without her.  Damnit Fiona hurry up.
     

      Shaun instructed Fiona to venture through the Institute to meet the department heads, after she was lead to a room that would be her personal quarters. An Institute Courser escorted her. It was a bit intimidating how many Coursers there were roaming around. Synths in general. They had always freaked her out, yet they never gave her so much as a second glance. To Father's original question to join she answered maybe. It was an unfairly hard decision to make at such short notice. She was left alone in this spotless, white room. The whole feeling of the Institute made her feel so gross she wanted to curl up and die. If she was going to stay here any longer she would have to shower.
        The bathroom was small with a small mirror above the sink. She started the water before turning back and leaning against the sink. Fiona finally got a good look at herself. Her hair was greasy and frizzy with knots at the length. Her pink tips had faded into a light blonde. She loved her hair, it used to be so silky and bouncy with loose curls. Her face was sallow, her cheeks no longer as full. Looking down, even the rest of her body was thinner. Not by much but she definitely noticed. Sure, she liked being skinny, but she just wasn't built to be thin. Her thighs would always be thick, she'd always have broad shoulders, hip dips will never go away. In highschool she was always jealous of the tall petit girls, they looked like dolls with their  But now it was hard to care. She didn't pay much attention to how her body was changing as she was constantly fighting for her life in this wasteland. She lifted her tank top over her head, folding it up on the counter. Out of curiosity she turned her back to the mirror, looking over her shoulder. A large three clawed scar ran down the middle of her back. Along with similar, but far lighter scars littered everwywhere. Can't believe I almost gave up there... If it wasn't for-  she glanced at the shotgun propped against the door. Shit. Erin. Shed forgotten that he was waiting for her. How long had it been? He can wait a little longer.  She undressed and hopped in the shower.
      Fiona wore a soft jaded smile as she gazed into the mirror once again. She was absolutely disgusted by the color of the water that flowed down the drain. But with all the dirt and grime scrubbed off, her hair looked thick and bouncy again. Her skin felt a little dry but it was way better than how it had been screaming for months without proper skincare. She changed into a light gray long sleeve and jeans that were provided for her. She was relieved it wasn't as ugly as some of the stuff she saw other scientist wearing. She heavily debated wether she should bring the shot gun or not. Father, Shaun, assured she was safe here. But her gut told her otherwise. She grabbed it just incase.

       As she walked down the stairs she realized how much she wanted to stay. But it wasn't about the Institute, she couldn't care less about anything that went on down there. It was about Shaun. Fiona wanted to recover lost time, all those years wasted. She wished she hadn't given her mom such a hard time when asked to watch him. Maybe they could build a life together in the Institute.
      She'd spoken to doctor Li in advanced systems and was now headed to Bioscience to find Virgil's cure. She figured if anything went wrong she'd at least need a way out immediately. Doctor Li installed a chip in her Pipboy that allowed her to utilize the relay. She was still in awe by the construction of the Institute itself. It was indeed impressive, all the tech.
      The Bioscience department was incredible. It was a circular room with planters on the sides. And to her left there was a glass enclosure with...Gorillas. A blonde man wearing and Institute lab coat with a green stripe came to greet her. She was more focused in looking for this cure for Virgil, but she couldn't just ask where it is of course. "Welcome! So good to have you here. Doctor Clayton Holdren, head of the Bioscience division. I can't wait for you to see the work we're doing. It's truly amazing." Dr. Holdren was much nicer than Dr. Li. That's for sure. Yeah plants are cool. Gorillas are weird. She just wanted to get this done and go to Robotics, which caught her interest immediately. "Can't wait. Mind if I just poke around? I'll come to you if I have any questions. Bit of a time crunch, you know how it is." She lied apologetically. "Oh, yes, of course ma'am. I'm sure you have important things to get to. Let me know if you need anything." Lieing didn't feel good but man did this shit seem boring. 
     After some time of roaming she happened apon a string of abandoned storage space. At the end of the hall was a door labeled "FEV Lab...yeah sounds about right." She whispered.
    The lab was run down and destroyed. Fiona had no clue of what might still be in here she held the shotgun close to her chest.
      She was able to sneak through the lab relatively easily. The Assaultron scared her soul out of her body but it didn't see her thankfully. The lab that the cure was supposedly in was horrifying. Supernatant carcases suspended in some liquid in large tubes in the middle of the room.the green glow dimly lit the room. "I can't be bothered with this shit today." She spoke aloud to herself, turning on her heels. She rummaged through desks and drawers to finally find Virgil's cure sitting in a machine.
       Eventually Fiona found an alternative way to exit the FEV Lab. Through a locked terminal she could get out into the main atrium of Bioscience. She B-lined for the main entrance. Unfortunately she ran into Dr. Holdren again. "I'd though you'd left by now. Have any questions for me?" He asked sweetly. "Oh no, I was real into the plants back there. So green. I'll be heading out now, thank you." She was lucky she stuffed the serum in her bra just in time. Boobs are so convenient sometimes.
     Fiona wanted to go back at talk to her brother more but she knew he was busy. It was hard to wrap her head around the fact that her baby brother was infact the leader of an organization everyone on the surface hated. It definitely wasn't comforting. But if what he said was true, the people on the surface are wrong to hate the Institute. They really just want to help humanity survive. Maybe she could help people in the Commonwealth understand.
      Preoccupied with her thoughts Fiona neglected to pay attention to her surroundings. "Sir, i'm so sorry! I didn't see you!" She franticly apologized, kneeling too pick up his folder shed knocked from his hands. "Oh, my fault ma'am I should've watched where I was going." The man kneeled beside her gently taking the folder from her. "Oh! You must be Ms. Lance. We were told to expect you." "Uh, yeah, haha. Sorry again- uh..." Her jaw laid slack, staring at the man. "Holy shit!" She quickly covered her mouth, even more embarrassed. "Fuck- I mean. Uh.. I'm sorry, you look so much like my friend. Caught me by surprise!" Goddamn it Fiona stop swearing, you sound unprofessional! "Really? Haha, sorry?" The door or awkwardly smiled. As they stood, Fiona stuck out her hand. "Let's start over! I'm Fiona Lance. Father's... Older... Sister. If you can believe that..." That wasn't good either, wasted, you can't start over again Fiona.  "Lovely to meet you Ms. Fiona. I'm Dr. Graves, Robotics Division, but you can call me Issac. " He shook her hand. " Nice to meet you too Issac- wait. What!?"
     Fiona held a death grip on Issac's hand. "Hm?" He hummed calmly. "Erin said you were dead." She accused, staring straight into his eyes. This couldn't be a coincidence. Graves is not a common last name, let alone how strikingly similar this man looked to Erin. "I'm sorry what?" Issac's smile faulted. "My friend...Erin Graves. You're Issac Graves, his brother?" She was not about to let this man go. Today was confusing enough, she needed answers.
     "Yes... You know Erin?" She couldn't read Isaac's face, he was wearing a collected smile, yet he looked like he would cry. Fiona let go if his hand. She hand onto the strap of Erin's shot gun, nodding with a glare. "H-how is he? Is he alright?" Isaac's voice wavered. "He's pretty messed up. But physically he's alright I guess. He does have a bit of a concussion. But what's a little brain damage." She attempted to lighten the mood. Issac sighed, stress leaving his shoulders. "We have a lot to talk about Fiona... About the Institute. One wastelander to another." Issac spoke under his breath.
     Finally, some answers.