This takes place during Episode 2, after Alyx has recovered from her wounds.


"Sorry, Gordon," Alyx breathed heavily as she slowly caught up with the man in the orange HEV suit. Gordon Freeman, the One Free Man, had just finished dispatching the last antlion in the wave from the last attack. The small group of two humans and one Vortigaunt had made their way across the small valley, stopping from thumper to thumper to rest. "Sorry I'm not too much help right now," Alyx apologized again. "I'm still a little weak," she stated, referring to the near fatal wound she received from the Combine Hunter mere hours before. Gordon looked at her, an eyebrow raised as he loaded a shell into his pump-action shotgun.

Gordon studied the young woman before him as she steadied herself against the thumper that kept the antlion hordes at bay. Her clothes were covered in dirt and mud and torn in several places. The back of her brown jacket was stained with dried blood from the Hunter's sharp metal claws as it had ripped into her lower back.She sported a few cuts and scraps across her face, the most noticeable one on the edge of her chin, and most probably caused by the train wreck that he and Alyx had somehow survived. A small price for escaping the hell that was City 17. Gordon thought to himself that he should be the one apologizing for letting her get hurt in the first place. Here she was, this beautiful, intelligent young woman that had faced all these horrors the Combine had thrown at them, and she was apologizing to him for getting hurt. Gordon would have laughed were it not for the stray thought that entered his mind and escaped his mouth.

"Don't worry, baby," Gordon spoke, a small, sly grin working it's way to his lips. "I'll protect you now." He pumped a shell into the chamber of the shotgun. Alyx stared at Gordon for a moment, stunned, before erupting into laughter. It took a minute before she could catch her breath and talk without laughing.

"Thanks, Gordon," she finally said, a broad, playful smile on her face. "I finally have my knight in shining armor!" she exclaimed dramatically, her hands clasping over her heart.

"Does your knight have orange armor?" Gordon asked, smirking. Alyx let out another laugh.

"Watch yourself, Mr. Freeman," she chided, her hand on her hip. "I'll have to let my dad hose you down once we get to White Forest if you keep it up." Gordon let out a small bark of laughter. It was good to see Alyx back to her normal, witty and playful self again. Seeing her smile put his mind at ease, making it less difficult to deal with the stress of fighting an endless onslaught of enemies. "I guess we should move out again, then," she stated, grinning. Gordon nodded, and together with the Vortigaunt silently following, they headed north once more, making their way to White Forest.


I paraphrased what Alyx said since I can't remember perfectly what her lines were. What Gordon said to her in the fic is what I actually said out loud when I was playing this part in the game. Dorky, but I really got into the story. And I totally fell in love with Alyx so I felt the need for it, I suppose. Also, I wrote this during third shift at work last night, which seems to be when I get most of my writing done. This is just a oneshot, but I might write more, who knows. Anyways, reviews are encouraged and appreciated. Thanks for reading.