This is a story with Samantha in it! If you don't know who that is, read Enduring Life.

Disclaimer: I do not own Half Life. Only Sammy.

Sammy's day out

Samantha paced the floor, humming a low tune out of boredom. She had been cooped up in her small bedroom all day, unable to play outside. Her mother had given punished her for yesterday's little "accident". She smiled, remembering the excitement of that little adventure. Now, she was confined to her room for the rest of the day.

With a groan, she plopped onto her small bed. This was excruciating for her. She wanted to go outside and run around. Even the makeshift toys strewn around the floor found no interest to her.

Sammy suddenly sat up, remembering the little trick her dad had taught her. She looked over at the small vent above her dresser. A devious grin passed her face as she quickly threw on some jeans and a white tee shirt. Her short, jet-black hair was pulled back, sticking out like a rooster's feathers. She climbed the dresser and tugged at the vent, pulling the metal grate out of it's socket.

She looked down the dark tunnel, hesitating before crawling in. It was pitch black inside and dusty, but after a few minutes on hands and knees, Sammy came across the next vent opening. She peered through the slits of the grate, spying a long concrete hallway. She gently pushed the grate out, trying not to make any noise. The grate slipped out, allowing the little girl to rest it on the floor. She then crawled out of the hole and dropped to the ground, giving out a small impact noise.

As soon as she picked herself up, a small 'boop' sounded behind her. She spun around and gave out a small groan of frustration.

It was D0g, who was ordered to watch the child. The large robot stared like an annoyed mother at the five-year-old girl. He gave out a small noise, pointing towards the door that lead back to her room. She rolled her eyes.

"D0g, I don't want to go back. I'm tired of sitting." She whined. "I want to have an adventure."

D0g cocked his head to the side quizzically. He then pointed back at the door. The girl scoffed.

"Can't I just stay out here for a few minutes?" D0g shook his head. She looked down the hall, trying to think of an excuse to stay away from her room. "Um, I need a drink of water. I'm really thirsty."

D0g thought for a moment, then reluctantly started walking towards the kitchen, Sam keeping pace behind him.

---

The cooks in the kitchen looked up as Sammy entered the small kitchen. Five Vortigaunts had been issued the job of making dinner for the entire base and were in the process of creating the meal. Sam was met by smiles from the aliens.

"The Samantha Freeman." One Vort called out, his many brows frowning under his tall chef hat. "Are you not punished?"

"They let me out," she lied. "I'm a little thirsty."

The Vortigaunt smiled as he raised his hands into the air.

"Ah, of course. Would you like some water?"

Sam nodded. "Yes, please." The girl climbed on the nearest stool, resting her chin on the long kitchen counter. The Vortigaunt produced a glass cup from one of the cupboards, filling it with water from a tap. The glass was handed to Sam, who gulped down the liquid in seconds. The Vortigaunt grumbled in admiration.

"I trust that the water was satisfactory?"

Sammy wiped some excess water from her lips with her sleeve. "Yes, thank you." She dropped from the stool and waved goodbye, which was replied by more waves. She rejoined D0g, who stood guard outside the cooking area.

"I just want to see Uncle Izzy real quick." She smiled up at her companion, hoping to stall her way from going back to her room. D0g knew this and argued, pointing back the way they came. The little girl hugged his arm, staring affectionately into his eye.

"He's not that far. Just a couple of doors down! It'll only take a second."

If D0g could, he would have rolled his eyes. But he nodded in submission. The pair traveled deeper into the base, towards Dr. Kleiner's lab.

---

Samantha tapped on the lab door a few times, pressing her ear against the metal bulkhead, listening for any sounds. No sound came. She slowly pulled at the door's latch and the door moved outward. D0g waved his hands in disagreement, but she just smiled.

"It's okay, D0g. You stay here."

She poked her head through the door, looking around the large room. Inside, all kinds of trinkets and gadgets lined long metal tables. Near the corner of the room, Kleiner sat . . .his face lying on his desk. Loud snoring sounds emitted from his throat. Sam turned back to D0g with a grin on her face.

"He's sleeping! I'm going in."

D0g was about to pull her away from the door when she quickly slipped in, disappearing behind the door.