A/N: Inspired by Heart-Of-Memories' "Of a Construct and a Hero", some random Halo ponderings and one-shots that have been on my mind awhile.

Disclaimer: Halo and all related materials are the sole property of Bungie Studios and its publisher Microsoft. This story is non-profit and written solely for the enjoyment of the fan community of Halo.

Takes Place: Halo 3 Level – Cortana

"You found me."

Never in all of his days had he heard something so beautiful and calming.

These past weeks without hearing her voice had been FAR too long.

"But so much of me is wrong ... out of place ... you might be too late."

No. Not NOW. PLEASE NOT NOW.

"You know me, when I make a promise..." Please, Cortana. Please be alright.

A moment's pause, and then her voice, almost not believing that he's really there...

"You ... keep it. I DO know how to pick 'em." Her smile is slight and tinged with her brand of humor, but it's there, and that's all that John cares about right now.

"Lucky me." His grin matches hers, and it's not by accident.

"Do you still have it?" Though John may want to draw this moment out, they DO happen to be surrounded in hostile territory. All too soon, it's back to business.

Not surprisingly, she doesn't miss a beat as her arm stretches out and confirms what he's known all along.

"The Activation Index from the first Halo ring. A little souvenir I hung on to, just in case."

They both glance at the door, knowing what must come if they're to survive.

"Got an escape plan?" She asks, more of her personality coming through by the second.

Not that he'd ever admit to it, but he hadn't thought that far ahead just yet.

An odd thought occurs to him as he's kneeling at the console. Rather than one of them towering over the other in some capacity as had always somehow happened in the past, they are now eye to eye. Even and equal. Somehow, he knows that she's also noticed, and the two of them have never been happier about that fact.

"I thought I'd try shooting my way out. Mix things up a little…" His grin hasn't left his face yet, and he's just now realizing it. Oh well, it hardly matters now.

Without pause, he removes her chip from his helmet and extends it to her. Her fingers reach out, curling for a brief instant, as if she's still wondering whether or not it's another elaborate mental concoction of the Gravemind. But the instant she vanishes, he reinserts the chip and welcomes the icy chill that rushes through his brain. She's back where she belongs, with him.

"Just keep your head down. There's TWO of us in here now, remember..."

Amen to that.

Woman was taken out of man – not out of his head, to rule over him; nor out his feet, to be trampled under by him; but out of his side, to be equal to him – under his arm, that he might protect her; and near his heart, that he might love her.

- Unknown

This quote was found in another piece of fanfiction from another series and I thought it applied to the Chief and Cortana rather well, so here it is.

Also, I'm up for random thoughts and requests from you readers, so if there's something that you guys would like to see in written form or something that puzzles you, let me know and I'll see what jumps out at me!