A/N: Wow. I had this story in my folder for months and I just finished it yesterday. I can't believe how slow of a writer I am.


"Let go! Let go! I'm still connected. I can pull myself in. I can still fix this!" the personality construct cried out, panic and fear clearly evident within his synthetic voice. But despite all his protests, the woman still kept a tight grip on his handlebars. She refused to let go of him.

As crazy as it sounded, Chell had prevented him from meeting a fate far worse than death itself. She stopped him from having to meet a destiny where he would have become insane from his own guilt, grief, and loneliness in space.

He'd probably lose his mind. Or, maybe he'd get destroyed from the very elements of space debris. Anyway, from doing so, she had given what Wheatley would have continuously wished for, as he gazed solemnly at earth from afar, the feeling of regret filling his entire being. He was forever reminded that his second chance was so far from his grasp. He was stuck there in space with no way back to earth.

He gazed up to look at her, his large cerulean optic shining brightly, as he gave her the best 'smile' he could muster. It was hard if you only had shutters, you know.

But just as fast as the feeling of happiness appeared, they had ended abruptly from the horrible memories that had plagued his processors.

"W-why?"

Wheatley's sudden question startled Chell.

He saw the look of confusion on the woman's face.

"I mean, y-you could've just left me…there in space, I mean. W-why didn't you let go? You know, w-when you got grabbed by GLaDOS…and…"

He was silent for a moment, unsure how he should continue.

Chell was willing to wait, though. After all, it wasn't like she could put much input, not when she was essentially a mute.

She brought the robot closer to her chest. She hoped that it would provide some comfort for her companion, especially when he was in such a state of despair.

After a long, pregnant pause had passed, Chell heard an audible sigh escape out of the spherical 'bot.

"Anyway, I-I was just wondering why you decided to save me. Even when I was such a jerk to you—not that I'm not grateful, of course! Because I certainly am, so please don't think that I'm saying that you shouldn't have—okay maybe you should've. After seeing how absolutely monstrous I was and…"

'That's what he's so upset over?' Chell wondered, a small smile gracing her features. She couldn't help but giggle over how silly it was for the robot to still be fretting over such matters. Wasn't it rather obvious that she had already forgiven him, Chell wondered, amused over her friend's troubles.

"A-and I'm just so sorry a-and…are you giggling?" Wheatley suddenly asked, giving her a rather startled look.

Wheatley's look of shock morphed into a look of unbridled joy. "Chell! Y-you just giggled! Bloody hell! This is amazing!" he said, unable to contain the tremendous amount of joy he felt. It was simply amazing! Her giggle sounded so beautiful to his ears—metaphorically speaking, of course. He didn't have ears.

Perhaps Chell wasn't entirely as mute as he originally thought?

"Oh man, this is great! Do you think you can do that again? Just one more time? Please?" he begged, his optic growing a few shades brighter.

The look on the robot's face was endearing—childish even. It was practically impossible for Chell not to laugh from Wheatley's childish behavior. It was refreshing in its innocence and she was glad that she never let go of him.

She would have missed the way he made her laugh.