"Chief, don't go." Cortana pleaded as the Master chief walked by the pedestal.
He stopped and looked at her "I'll be back. I wouldn't just leave leave you here."
"You promise?"
He nodded. "Yes."
she felt a bit better about him leaving now . He always kept his promises. She still didn't want him to go, but she couldn't really stop him. "I'll be waiting." she said and watched him walk out the door.
Hours passed and she started to wonder how long he was going to be gone.
Hours became days and there hadn't been any reports concerning him and she wished she was with him.
Days became weeks and she wondered why he hadn't returned yet. Was the promise a lie? Did he leave knowing he wouldn't return? Was he dead? There still was no evidence to confirm or deny her suspicions. Her thoughts were running wild. If she kept thinking like that she'd come unraveled. She calmed herself as best she could and told herself that he'd return; he always kept his promises.
Weeks became months and she kept telling herself he'd be back; he always keeps his promises, but a small part of her feared the worst.
Months became a year and she searched for any news any at all concerning the Master Chief, but found none. It was as if he'd disappeared and nobody seemed to care. She activated her holographic form on the pedestal and looked around the empty, dark room lit only by her glow. She lowered her head and wrapped her arms around herself. "You promised to come back. You said you wouldn't leave me..." she muttered to the darkness. She sobbed and didn't notice when her programing threatened to fracture.
Several minutes later there was a crash and pale sunlight streamed in. All of which Cortana barely noticed due to her fractured state. Cortana lifted her head and looked at the disturbance. A figure lay in the broken doorway. She slowly sat up as the figure pushed its self up from the floor and stood.
It wore armor like the Chief's but it was bloodstained and blackened. The Spartan wasn't her Spartan. She laid back down and cried for her lost Spartan.
The Spartan limped over to the pedestal "Why are you crying?" he asked
"He didn't come back...he promised..." Cortana mumbled
The spartan kneeled down so he was at eye level with Cortana. "I keep my promises." he said softly
she looked at the Spartan hopefully "Chief?" her voice was unsteady
He removed his helmet "Yes, now quit tearing yourself apart."
She reached out to him "I thought I'd never see you again."
he managed a small smile. "I'm sorry I was gone so long."
"What took you so long?" Cortana asked
"It's a long story."
"I never want you to leave again, Chief. Promise me you'll never leave me again."
he put his helmet back on and slowly stood
"Chief, promise me!" she insisted
"Alright Cortana," he removed her data crystal chip from the pedestal and inserted it in his helmet. "I promise."
