Chapter 3: The Frustration

Weeks has passed and going through each test chamber began to drain Chell both physically and mentally. As Chell suspected, GLaDOS was beginning to go through eurphia-withdraw again. Pleasing the supercomputer never seemed enough, GLaDOS demanded for more and Chell did what she can to keep up with the computer's need for testing, she could only do so much. The hours of testing extended. She was expected to do more. Being deprived of sleep. It wasn't making the situation any easy with a frustrated GLaDOS barking in her ears of how much of a disappointment she was to her.

Chell's fed up, tired, and hungry. Never once she thought being around GLaDOS would be so stressful. Sure, dangerous and probably excitable, depending on the situation. But this was as if she was in worn out relationship, ready to come crashing down and end whatever that was or had been between them. It was simply a mutual but toxic partnership.

The test subject limped into the hallway that connected to new testing chamber. Her legs felt like jelly and her body shook from exhaustion, it seemed like she hardly got fed. Chell collapsed on the floor, breathing heavily as set the portal device gun next her on the floor. She rubbed the back of her shoulders to ease her sore flesh.

"What are you doing? Get up. We are nowhere near done. There's so much to be done and there's no time for you to just lounge around like a useless sack of potatoes. " GLaDOS said in a monotone manner, trying to conceal her frustration.

Chell rolled her eyes and ignored the Aperture queen. She continued to rub her shoulder and allowed her body to relax on the cool floor beneath her. "Interesting fact I just learned about humans. Merely taking an hour off during sleep can cause them to perform horribly, even at simple tasks. I just wanted to let you know." GLaDOS faked sounding intrigued. "You're doing a terrible job by the way." She added.

After a few more minutes, GLaDOS had enough of the test subject just sitting there and doing nothing. A huge waste of time in her opinion. "You must really not want to eat today? Is that what I am getting from you? You're defiance is pretty clear on that. Set aside from killing you, watching you go hungry is the next best thing in all honesty."

The woman glared up at the camera, sucking her teeth as she forced herself off the floor. It was not worth going hungry again. Brutal, would be the word Chell would describe the days she went without food and had to continue to test until her bones ached. She then proceed to the next testing chamber and carry on to finish the testing course.

::It's gone. Making her do these test will not bring it back any faster::

'What else am I supposed to do hm? Have you forgotten that I was made to test. If so, you may possibly be more brain damage then [Test Subject Name].' GlaDOS growled.

::There's one way…::

'If you're suggesting self decoding within my mainframe. That's self murder and that's a pretty terrible idea.'

::No GLaDOS, I'm not asking to kill yourself….You could transfer us to a more moveable body.::

'You have been generating awful ideas lately. Have the moron rubbed off on you? It's like you completely forgot I have limits to what I can do with myself. I can not self test-' She was cut off.

::I know you can't! If you would just allow me to finish. I was going to say we could use Chell to satisfy that itch. Plus, you would design the body where we could have an endless stream of it without you building a tolerance to it::

GLaDOS chuckled softly 'You can't be serious?' After a few moment of complete silence, She realized that Caroline was being serious. 'Oh, you are serious. Why on the name of science would I try to mate with a human, let alone, with that mute lunicate. Mind you, she being the very human who nearly killed me the second time!?"

::You can't use that to justify your response. You tried to kill her first, countless of time actually. Any sane person would do what they can to avoid death::

'I don't care. I will not go so low and try to perform disgusting courtship with a whale. Even if it means lack of euphoria." GLaDOS protested.

::I'm not going to argue with you anymore. You will eventually "go so low". Do want to know why?::

'...Why?'

::I know that you already like the idea and I am just going wait and see:: She chuckled.

' NO I don't! I do not like the idea, in fact. I'm repulsed at it.'

-no response-

"Do you hear me!? I won't succumb to your stupid emotions!" GLaDOS practically yelled, making the chamber rumble at the sudden outburst. Luckily for her, the speakers weren't on. She eventually brushed it off and went back to watching the test subject….test.

. . . . . .

Few more weeks went by and testing for GLaDOS became repetitive, a hundred time more than usual. The once calm, collective, and witty supercomputer now become this reckless machine, desperately trying gain something she can't get. It was sad. Chell knew GLaDOS was suffering, she could hear it in her voice and she'd honestly felt for GLaDOS. Even so, Chell didn't allow her guard down for one moment, she still wasn't entirely trusting of the robot.

'Fuckin' finally!' Chell took a breathe of relief as she walked over to her bed and crashed her body on top of it, more then happy to finally have a break from that homicidal machine. She unbuckled the long fall boots from her feet and lazily shakes them off. She didn't bother to change out of her jumpsuit, too tired to even care. She grabbed the closest pillow and hugged it tightly against her body as she rolled on her back and stared up at the ceiling.

Chell frowned as she laid there for hours. She was experiencing something more worse then testing. She couldn't sleep.

"Oh hi. You're still up? Good. I've been meaning to have a talk with you." GLaDOS said as Chell tried her best to not groan at her presents.

"Look, the past few weeks have been- well, not satisfying at all. I appreciate that you solve my tests at the rate of a turtle and I'm actually surprise you got past the first one today. I was worried about you. No really, I was. Hence, the reason I raised my voice at you a couple of times." GLaDOS continued.

Chell's frown deepen. 'Great, I get to hear a talking a machine insult me for the rest of the night. Anit' life wonderful.'

"I was thinking of a new test we could do. A test that would benefit both me and you, mostly me. But there will be real confetti. That is if it goes well." GLaDOS said with a cheerful tone.

The test subject was more than confused at this point. 'A new test? What does she mean by that.'

"Unfortunately, this particular test will not include portals, or fetal lasers, or deadly turrets, or even the companion cube you cold heartedly murdered when you threw it down the incinerator. I would fill you on the details but I would rather it be a surprise for you." GLaDOS tone soften, it almost as if she was being seductive towards Chell.

The brunette rolled her eyes. 'Of course it'd be unfortunate, for you.'

"Oh, I forgot to mention, I added a little something to your water today. It has a tiny side effect. Insomnia. Don't worry. It's only temporary. I wanted to make sure you were up today so we can talk."GLaDOS said with amusement."Well, you will start first thing in the morning. I suggest you sleep, it's going to be a very long test. Only 5 hours left. Sleep tight, if you can." She added before leaving Chell alone.

'...You bitch!' Chell bit down on her lip to stop herself from cursing up a storm. '...Wait, why did her voice just change like that?' Chell thought. 'What the hell is she up to?'

A/N: This took longer than I expected. So it's the third chapter. What do you think so far?