Sorry I said this chapter would be 4000 words but I decided to break it up into three chapters that way I can give you updates faster and you don't have to wait so long I hope you don't mind. Anyways here it is with a nice surprise to start. Enjoy! Oh and here's a fun fact: The Forward Unto Dawn live action series was filmed at my University :D!

I glance down as I walk in. When I look up I stop in my tracks and stare in shock.

Cortana.

"Cortana?..." I whisper in shock.

There she is but now she has a physical body. She is the exact same except she has a body and no longer just an image. My mind was a buzz with questions. The questions can wait I decide. What I need right now is her. Just her.

"John," she says with a soft smile.

I run to her and lift her with ease wrapping my arms around her. I hug her tight and she does the same wrapping her arms and legs around me too.

"John," she groans

"Sorry," I say loosening my hold enough so she is comfortable and can breath. I forget how strong I am sometimes.

"I-..." I start but my voice catches in my throat. I look to the ceiling blinking back tears.

"I thought I lost you," I force myself to say my voice trembling slightly.

She looks up when she hears my voice and sees the tears slip down my face. She squeezes me tight her head to my chest until I relax. We hold each other until we have to let go. It's then that I start to panic a little.

Does she remember what I said?

"Do you remember fighting the Didact?" I ask.

"I remember the Didact but not fighting him."

Dr. Halsey decides to give us a moment and goes into her office in the next room.

My heart sinks.

"Dr. Halsey will tell you what happened."

I follow her into the next room. I give Dr. Halsey a light hug and then we sit.

"Well John it goes like this... When I created Cortana soon after I realized the rampancy problem and what it would mean for the both of you. I decided to set out and find a solution which I did tirelessly for the next seven years. Our top techs and scientists collaborated with the Sangheilis'. We were making decent head way but it wasn't until our recent encounter with Forerunner that we had the breakthrough. Anyways the technology allowed Cortana to become a sort of biographic. She is essentially both human and AI she gets the best of both worlds. Her rampancy is fixed by this and her life will be slightly longer than that of most spartans. Now how it happened is when you put her in the main frame to discuss the Didact with Captain Del Rio I programmed it to swap her out for a copy. You received the copy while I got Cortana so the others and I could carry out the procedure. Since the procedure she is still able to neurolace with you as I added the required systems to your suit. All you need is this chip. You press the button and have her place her hand on it and she will jump transfer inside the chip. The hitch is the only insert for this chip is on your suit. You will have to let her out to access enemy intel and main frames. If Cortana doesn't mind we can demonstrate now."

"Go ahead," Cortana says.

Dr. Halsey holds the button and Cortana touches the blue slipspace centre. Instantly she dissolves being sucked into the chip.

"Wow," I say in amazement.

She then presses the button again to release. In the same blur her body and self is back.

"Oh and as you can see her skin is bio-luminescent so in the dark or dim lighting she will glow. While in regular light she remains her regular self."

"Your Incredible," I say.

Cortana's whole self proceeds to glow pink and I laugh.

"Looks like flattery and embarrassment still work," I say still smiling.

"Anyways I'm sorry for what I made you go through," she says sincerely.

"It's fine. If the ends justify the means right?"

"Yeah," she nods solemnly.

"Tomorrow I will get you suited up with your new armour," she says as me and Cortana leave her office.

We return to my Quarters and she sits beside me on my cot. I'm glad to have her back but the fact that she doesn't know how I feel about her is eating at me and I can't bring myself to confess. Suddenly a light clicks on in my head.

"Wait so if I did the mission with a copy was it really just like you?"

"Yup except she had no real feelings or thoughts they were just copies of mine but she would still respond in roughly the same way."

A grin broke out across my face. She was looking at the floor kind of disheartened. Finally she looked at me and saw my smile.

"What?" she asks curious.

"I love you."

Her eyes light up and tears roll down her cheeks.

"I love you too," she says happily.

I kiss her and she kisses back till finally we pull apart.

"That was so amazing. I have dreamed about this for so long. I didn't think you would feel that way about me though."

More tears slip down her face.

"Sorry John I can't stop crying I'm just so happy and overwhelmed," she says.

"I know Cortana," I say pulling her to me and stroking her hair.

We eventually end up laying down. Her small frame is curled up on top of my large chest. She pecks my lips.

"Goodnight my spartan," she says putting emphasis on 'my'.

"I love you," she continues.

"I love you to little blue... my little blue," I say doing the same.

She smiles at the pet name and with that we fall asleep.

I wake in the morning to find Cortana still asleep on my torso.

We begin to make out when she wakes. Things escalate fast and soon we're both naked.

"This is incredible. It's so much better than I ever imagined. Can you make love to me John? In theory I know how to, but-..."

"It's my first time too," I remind her.

And so we do. We make love until we're exhausted and collapse in bliss. We lay there cuddling.

"Master Chief Petty Officer Spartan Sierra-117 report to main bay for weapons and armour testing."

With that we get up and dress to report to Dr. Halsey.

"Do you want to go in or out of the chip?"

"Out, It's fun being able to experience life as a human."

I kiss her forehead and nod.

People stare at Cortana in disbelief. We reach Dr. Halsey and Commander Lasky is there too.

"Hi Mum," Cortana says hugging Catherine.

"Hi Dear."

"Cortana?" Lasky says in shock.

It is explained to Lasky about Cortana and then Catherine starts to go over my new suit.

"Here is your Mark VII suit it has a few upgrades though it's essentially the same in appearance. It has active camo and sprint. Of course it's equipped with much stronger shields. Also it can maintain flight for several minutes with the thrusters located on the back. Last but not least is the new neurolace system I mentioned yesterday for Cortana. Go ahead suit up."

I step into the ring which slowly attaches my suit. I step out before it places my helmet on. I take it in my hand and remove Cortanas' chip from my side. We kiss before she enters the chip. Everyone stares in awe when she transfers. I slip on my helmet that locks into place with a click and slide Cortana into my neurolace.

"Hi John," she says once inside my lace.

I smile, very happy to have her back. To think the other day I thought I lost her.

"It's good to have my girl, my guardian angel back... You're amazing. You know that?"

"You're not so bad yourself," she quips.

So I hope you liked it. We are getting to the action soon, I mean it's not Halo with out some head shots and plasma nades. This story will focus on romance though because I love romance. Please REVIEW as always, Also fave, folo, etc. Thanks!