Jealousy in the Wasteland

Chapter 12 - Perfect Now

*word count : 1152*

~Nick's POV~

Y/N has been missing for a week now, and I have nothing. No witnesses other than Clair, no evidence left behind at the hotel. I sit back in my chair, thoughtlessly tapping the wooden desk. I reach towards the cigarette box in front of me, only to find it empty. I fold my arms over my chest, staring up at the worn ceiling.

I feel so helpless, and Nick Valentine is anything but that. That's literally what I do, help people. Before I was a detective, I was a handyman, fixing shit all around the city. Now, I find people. But the one case that's the most important to me, I can't even pursue because I have no leads. 

I decide to stand up and grab my coat to head out and buy another carton of cigarettes. This is my first time leaving the office since she had been taken, and I'm not excited about it. I find myself oddly wishing Hancock was here, but he had to sneak out that night. A ghoul in Diamond City is risky business.

I head towards the closest cigarette machine, inserting a few caps before the carton falls out. "Nick! Nick, is that you?" No way. It can't be her. I quickly turn around, and see my girl. "Y/N! Oh my god!" I drop the cigarettes and run to her, hugging her as tightly as I can without hurting her and placing a kiss on her head. "I can't believe it," I say, pulling back from the hug but still holding her arms as she stands in front of me. "Where have you been?" No sooner than the words leave my mouth, MacCready walks up to us.

"You sick son of a bitch-" I lunge at the man before Y/N stops me. "Nick, calm down. We can explain." She says with a sheepish smile. "Meet us at The Third Rail tonight, and bring Hancock." She says, turning on her heels to leave. "Wait, where do you think you're going? You go missing for a week, then leave five minutes after seeing me?" I ask, a hint of anger in my voice.

"We can't talk about this here, Nick. I'll see you in a couple hours." She turns to leave once again. MacCready flashing me a grin before the two walk away. I hated that.

~Hancock's POV~

I had just taken a hit of Jet, letting my head roll back onto the couch when Nick came into my office. "Hey, it's Valentine!" I manage to speak, the high slowly creeping in. "Hey it's... Hancock." He says flatly, sitting on the couch opposite from me. "What's up, old friend?" He stares at me with a blank expression before leaning back, crossing his arms. "I'll wait until you come down. You're gonna want to be sober for this." That can't be good.

A few minutes pass before my high has mostly faded away, and I motion to Nick that I'm ready for him to speak. "Y/N is back." He states, matter of factly. "You found her without me?" I can feel anger begin to bubble in my chest. "No, John. She came back with MacCready." Fuck the anger building, it's built now. "With that dick? Seriously? He took her!" I shout, startling Farenheit.

"She wants us to meet her at The Third Rail. Told me to come get you." His words hang in the air as I contemplate even going. Yeah, I'm obviously glad she's alive. But she came back with her captor, acting as if nothing was wrong? "Earth to John." Nick calls, waving his metallic hand in front of my face. "Fuck it. Let's go."

~Y/N's POV~

I sit at the bar, Mac beside me, anxiously shaking my leg. I keep turning to look at the stairs, but don't see Nick or Hancock just yet. MacCready places a gentle hand on my thigh. "They'll be here. Stop worrying." He says soothingly, and I try my best to relax. 

Mac turns in his stool to talk to some other patrons and I keep watching the stairs, just waiting on them to arrive. Before long, I see Hancock's signature red coat, followed by Nick's trench coat and almost jump up with excitement. The two make their way over to me, but neither of them look as excited as I had expected. MacCready notices their presence and lightly grabs my arm before speaking, "Let's take this to the VIP room, shall we?" I stand up alongside Mac, Nick and Hancock following us to the back room.

Mac takes a seat in his normal chair, leaving the three of us still standing. Hancock immediately embraces me, holding me tight against his body. "Alright, lovebirds. Cut it out." MacCready snaps at us, but that doesn't make Hancock let me go. His hands rest at the small of my back and he looks into my eyes. "Are you okay, sweetheart? I've been worried sick." I give the ghoul a soft smile and reassure him that I'm okay.

I pull away from the hug, Hancock still keeping a gentle hand on my back. "Alright, MacCready. Out with it." Nick speaks up, his voice dripping with anger. He keeps a brow cocked as he eyes MacCready, and Hancock's hand is resting on the pistol under his coat.

Mac begins explaining everything to the two, including how we escaped. "I gave Y/N a suppressed .45 and she just ran with it. Killed Winlock and Barnes both. I can't say I wasn't disappointed since I wanted at least one of them to myself, but alas." Nick and Hancock continue suspiciously eyeing the man in front of us. "Okay, but why did you have to do anything if your issue wasn't with her?" Nick asks.

MacCready shoots me a look and I give him a nod. "They were going to hurt my son." He admits, hanging his head. "Alright well all that's over and she's back. Thanks bye!" Hancock says, pulling me out of the VIP room and out of the bar.

~Hancock's POV~

If I had stayed there for one more minute, I was going to kill MacCready. I brought Y/N outside so the two of us could have a moment alone.

"Are you sure you're okay, sweetheart?" I ask, cupping her cheek in my hand. She leans into my touch, "I'm perfect now, John." She replies, looking up at me sweetly. We stand there for a few seconds before the door to the bar opens. "Oh, great. What now, Nick?" I snap at the synth. He looks at me, giving me a nod before walking away.

"How about we get a room? I won't let you get kidnapped this time, promise." I joke, leaning down to kiss her. She returns my kiss, and we head towards the Hotel Rexford. "Let's just hope we don't get interrupted this time." I say, my voice a low whisper against her neck as she talks with Clair.

"Let's get to the room first, Hancock." She giggles.