Um, I really have no excuse for this story. :) Another fun but corny Half-life story that sort of fits into Valve's universe. It takes place after Episode 3, guessing that Alyx and Gordon destroy the Borealis. Although I have no idea if the characters survive after Episode 3, but I'm gonna just take a gamble. Please, enjoy.

I do not own Half-life 2.

Enduring Life

After a few moments of annoying beeping, Gordon Freeman clicked the "rest" button on the "alarm clock". The clock stated in a hollow female voice that it was 6:05 AM. He groaned as he lifted himself out of bed, his feet retracting after touching the cold cement floor. After testing the floor again, Gordon reached for his glasses on the metal nightstand next to him. He then stood up and stretched his body.

"Okay," he called out, turning back to the bed. "It's time to get up."

Alyx Vance grumbled under the blankets, refusing to get out into the bright light.

"C'mon", Gordon repeated, now smiling. "You need to get up."

No answer.

He then grabbed the blankets and swooped them off of the bed, revealing Alyx curled up in a ball. Her eyes were pursed together, trying to shield out the sunlight. After a few seconds of trying to fall back to sleep, she reluctantly opened her eyes. She looked over at her husband and smiled.

"Oh, man. I hate mornings."

Gordon chuckled.

"Your gonna miss your appointment."

Alyx's face turned to worry. She then checked the clock.

"Hmm," she though. "Okay, then." She raised herself out of the bed . . .struggling. She wore shorts and an old Black Mesa T-shirt, now stretched to the limit by her big belly. Alyx was eight months pregnant.

Gordon leaned against their large dresser, staring at Alyx. She noticed.

"What?" She asked, smiling at his loving glance. He walked up closer.

"I just don't seem to get used to how beautiful you look with that tummy."

Her heart fluttered. Gordon then started carefully rubbing her stomach, leaning down to see if he could hear the baby. After a few moments of silence, he leaned back up and kissed Alyx gently.

"Alright," Alyx grinned. "We need to go."

Gordon agreed. Dr. Forest was waiting for them.

---

The celery stick had no chance. Alyx crunched a piece off, trying to chew silently. Her and Gordon had come to the medical wing of Green Base; an old bunker nestled in the mountains, ready for their daily ultrasound. Alyx took another bite of her food, as the doctor was about to apply the sensory devise on her exposed stomach. Dr. Forest looked over, smiled and held out her hand. Alyx hesitated, but gave in, relieving the celery stick.

Forest then proceeded to rub the sensor back and forth, allowing the computer to pick up with baby. On a nearby screen, a digitized 3D model of the baby was created. After making sure that she had covered every detail, Dr. Forest walked towards the screen to assess the health of the child. She took a few notes on her touchpad and turned towards Gordon and Alyx with a smile on her face.

"Well, she is very healthy. Everything looks to be going smoothly."

Gordon gave out a small sigh. Lately, he had been a bit worried about Alyx and the baby. He could handle zombies and aliens . . .but this was something else. Even though Dr. Forest gave the good news, Gordon was still a bit worried. Alyx new this about him. She gently grasped Gordon's goatee covered chin and pulled his face close, giving a gentle kiss. She pulled back and gave him a stern stare as if to say, "It's going to be alright. Stop worrying." Gordon nervously smiled.

"Well, that's good." Alyx stated. "Do we have a time frame?"

Dr. Forest thought for a moment.

"I'm going to have to say . . ." The tapped a pen against her lips. "Three weeks."

Alyx's face lit up. She was becoming excited about the new arrival.

---

Before leaving Dr. Forest's office, the intercoms lining the long passageways came to life.

"Dr. Freeman, to Office 37, please." The speakers boomed. "Dr. Freeman, to Office 37, please. Thank you."

Gordon turned to Alyx, almost asking permission with his eyes.

"Go on," she said, waving her hand down the hall. "I'll be fine. Just be home by dinner."

Gordon chuckled at the last comment. Alyx never made dinner, or at least, a "tasty" dinner. He darted down the hallway, leaving his wife to hobble down the opposite way, clutching her belly.

Gordon reached Office 37 and entered, finding Dr. Isaac Kliener hunched over a computer screen. The balding scientist turned to greet Gordon.

"Ah, Gordon. How are you?"

"I'm good."

"Good . . .good." Kliener fiddled with his glasses, informing Gordon that he was nervous about something. Kliener seemed to be stalling.

"Um . . .how's Alyx and the baby?" he asked, his voice slightly quivering.

"They're fine. The baby is healthy." Gordon took the stern approach. "What's wrong, Izzy?"

Dr. Kliener stood silent for a moment.

"The Combine are on the move again."

Gordon was stunned. After the destruction of the Borealis, the Combine became devastatingly low on soldiers, making easy for the rebels to fight them. This past year, the resistant managed to crush the last of the Combine. However, Gordon was not expecting for them to regroup.

"Our remote sensors picked them up moving through Perrith Passage. We estimate at least two thousand troops, two packs of Hunters and three striders."

Gordon leaned back onto a desk, trying not to fall in shock. That kind of army would obliterate the rebels, who were only five hundred strong in the surrounding area. If the Combine were moving thru Perrith Passageway, that would mean that they were on their way here. A force that size would destroy Green Base.

"This is their last effort," Kliener continued, "if we manage to defeat them, then we'll eradicate the Combine from our sector. If not . . ." Kliener couldn't go on. Gordon knew what he was going to say. If the Combine managed to destroy Green Base, they would regain control of the region, maybe even the whole country.

"We need to get ready." Gordon simply stated. He exited the room, clenching his fists in fury. He knew that if he failed in stopping the Combine, that his family would pay the price. Worry stricken, Gordon jogged down the hallway, looking for Barney Calhoun