Hey anyone who's reading this, this is my first fanfiction, so don't really expect a masterpiece... Also please keep in mind I come up with a lot of non-fanfiction stories, and I'm always coming up with my own characters EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I try to write ANYTHING. So I put one of my made-up characters in this one, I really hope that doesn't drive people away... - ...AANNNNYYYWays, I will now start to story. * Author's note end *

Wheatley slid along his brand new management rail, still very glad and grateful to be back on Earth- even if it was in Aperture -even though he had returned about 3 months ago. How could he help it? It was nice to finally be able to do something other than hurt his processor by thinking or listen to the Space Core's blathering after such a long time.

When GLaDOS had first pulled Wheatley back to the underground science facility that was Aperture, he had panicked, thinking she had decided that being stranded in space wasn't enough torture for him. However, she had quickly explained that she was actually trying to harvest some kind of meteorite-ish crap- for what, though, he couldn't imagine- and had pulled him in by mistake.

She then said some other things, though Wheatley was still too busy panicking to actually pay attention, and, finally, after that she decided to- get this- FORGIVE him. When this happened, Wheatley had been made speechless for the first time in his life. Anyways, then they made this deal; Wheatley could stay at Aperture, and get some brand new things to keep him out of GLaDOS's hair, as long as he agreed to do absolutely nothing to affect the facility itself, and for he and GLaDOS to have no contact, aside from GLaDOS asking an occasional favor.

Wheatley would have no-one to ramble to, and he really did despise Aperture, but it was either that, or be flung back into space, so Wheatley accepted the deal. Today, however, the "having-no-one-to-ramble-to" and the having no contact with GLaDOS would end.

So, again, just to recap, there Wheatley was, sliding along his brand new management rail, thankful to be back on Earth, then, he heard something different. It sounded a bit like... Oh God. It sounded like GLaDOS's voice, but not coming out of nearby speakers. He was somewhat close to the Central A.I. Chamber She also sounded quite proud of her self. As if she had planned something. Wheatley's optic shrank to a pinpoint and darted around frantically. What if she had suddenly decided that Wheatley didn't deserve her forgiveness?

I've gotta get out of here, I've gotta get out of here... Wheatley thought to himself. Suddenly he saw a second, gleaming, management rail unfold piece by piece next to his own. As the innocent sounding- he now recognized it as humming- grew louder, Wheatley quickly hid in the darkest spot he could find. Oh, so she sent something to hurt me rather than doing it herself, huh? Wheatley thought, still shaking from fear. I bet it's a turret. It has to be a turret. It's way too innocent sounding to be anything other than a tur-

Suddenly Wheatley saw the source of the humming. It was a golden colored sphere, not unlike himself- aside from that bit about this sphere being golden, of course. And having a voice that reminded Wheatley of turrets. And having a really shiny management rail. And- ok, whatever the point is, it was a sphere just as Wheatley was.

Wheatley relaxed a little, but not completely. And that part about relaxing a little canceled itself out when, after passing Wheatley by just a few feet, the golden core stopped, turned half way around, noted that the management rail next to his had been recently used, and looked around for the one who had used it.

"Hello?" The core quietly asked. "Um, Fact Core? Tell me a fact if that's you..?"

Wheatley cautiously inched forward, instantly drawing the golden sphere's attention, as the golden sphere was mere centimeters away from Wheatley within a second. After briefly examining Wheatley, the golden core backed off.

"You're not the Fact Core." he said. The golden core spoke with a subtle English accent, and also a little bit of the roboticness heard in GLaDOS's voice. Wheatley took a moment to examine the golden core just as it had examined him. His casing was obviously golden- probably real gold- both of his handles seemed to be made of platinum, with the parts that attached the handle to the actual core were encrusted with diamonds.

Why so extravagant? Wheatley wondered. The golden core's optical was varying shades of green, getting lighter farther from the edge, ranging from pale jade in the center, to vibrant emerald along the outside, and a cool turquoise in between. Oh, wait, that was actual jade, turquoise, and emerald ground up into a powder and used to color the lens.

"No," Wheatley said, "not the Fact Core, but I'm-" The golden sphere cute Wheatley off after roboticly scanning him.

"Intelligence Dampening Sphere."

Instantly, this set Wheatley off. "I. AM NOT. A MOR-"

"I didn't call you a moron. I was simply referring to you by your official title- Intelligence Dampening Sphere."

"Well- well, I'm not gonna let you try to confuse me with big words..." Wheatley said.

"I wasn't going to."

"You're lying, I'm not listening."

The golden sphere squinted at Wheatley in curiosity and annoyance. "...Are you always like this?"

Wheatley let out an embarrassed chuckle. "Sorry, carry on..." The golden sphere barely got out half a syllable before Wheatley realized he was in the middle of introducing himself . "OH! I go by the name Wheatley, F-Y-I."

The golden sphere nodded. "Pleasure to meet you, Wheatley, but I have a Fact Core to find and help un-corrupt, so maybe I'll run into you again late-"

"Hold on, Gold, aren't you going to introduce yourself to the little moron?" The robotic, female voice, coming through speakers in the wall, reverberated throughout the long, empty corridor. Fear flooded through Wheatley as it had a few minutes ago when he had heard the golden core coming towards him. Yeah, that's definitely her, talking to Wheatley, and probably starting a conversation.

Wow, shorter chapter than I thought that would be... But the next one should be out soon, like in the next day or two. Also, I finally understand why a lot Portal FanFics that I read have author's notes with the authors being all hard on themselves and thinking that it isn't a very good piece of writing... So, anyways, yeah, next chapter in the next day or two, and reviews are appreciated/begged for. OKI BYE.