Back on the Axiom, when I was stressed, I tased myself on maximum power when nobody was looking. Of course, it hurt like hell, but I got used to it. I love the sting; it's so soothing for me. Don't ask why, it just is.

So I was sitting in electrified water, relaxing, when I heard a robot's frantic voice.

"S-Sir... y-you're g-g-g... SIR! YOU'RE GOING TO F-FRY!"

I turned my head about 30 degrees and saw D-FIB, moving her paddles over each other nervously, staring at me with pure terror.

"I'll be fine." I said. I immediately became suspicious. Why is she here exactly...? "Why are you here?"

D-FIB perked up. "I-I'm worried about you, s-s-sir; I have been since you've shut down... I couldn't say anything because I don't want to lose a friend of mine." She chuckled nervously. "I'm D-FIB, I'm a defibrillator robot."

"I know," I said, getting up and walking to her. "Why me?"

"Uhm..." She fidgeted nervously. "I-I've been lonely lately... I was wondering if you were willing to be friends...?"

"...Heh... what are 'friends', exactly...?" I asked, trying to avoid telling her I felt similar.

She looked shocked. "Friends... friends are basically people that care about and stand up for each other..." She stared at my right hand (which was where my taser was kept). She put her paddles together.

I realized what was up. The only way I knew was because I had done something similar and WALL-E's dump of a living quarters.

D-does she... does she... want me... as a...?

"S-sorry... I think tasers are impressive." She fidgeted again.

Heh. Makes sense. "...I suppose I could try this 'friend' thing out." I replied.

I observed some humans who were 'holding hands'. I glanced at D-FIB, glanced at the humans, then back at D-FIB. I inched a bit closer to her, trying not to get noticed.

Is... is my hard drive overheating...? Why am I so warm...? Why does this feeling feel so... nice...?

I felt something touching my right hand. I looked at it and noticed D-FIB was holding it with one of her paddles. She flinched when I saw her, and pulled her paddle away.

"Ah!" She exclaimed. "I have something for you!" She darted off.

I feel so warm and airy; it feels nice... I don't want this feeling to go away...

"Sir... I-"

"My name, D-FIB."

"...AUTO... I brought you a gift," She held up a plant; it was yellow in the center with white pedals growing from it.

"Y-you actually brought me a plant..." I felt myself 'smile' as I took the gift. "Thank you!"

"Y-you like it, AUTO...?" She gave a cheerful chirp.

"Positive." I said. "What nobody knows about me, is that I have an interest in plants; I've wanted to see one- a real one- for 750 years."

"Cool!" She lifted up my hand again. "Do you want to go to the beach with me?"

"Sure! I'd like that!" I sounded a bit more cheerful than I intended to be. I gripped onto her paddle and walked beside her to a beach. When we got there she claimed she'd be back, but I followed her, and noticed her talking to WALL-E, EVE, and M-O.

"Hi!" She greeted them.

"Oh!" WALL-E jumped, then looked at D-FIB. "Hello!"

"Do you have any news, D-FIB?" EVE asked, turning away from M-O.

D-FIB fidgeted nervously. "I guess you could say I have a new boyfriend..."

M-O perked up. "Who?!"

She smiled. "Promise you won't freak out...?" Everyone just stared at her, waiting for the response. "...AUTO..."

I felt my hard drive jump out of my body. She sees me as a boyfriend...!

"WHAT?!" EVE, WALL-E, and M-O shrieked at the same time.

"I told you to not freak out..." D-FIB growled, her gaze shifting around nervously. "You think I like him for his taser, right...? Well no; I've always like hard working bots. AUTO's one of the hardest working bots I've seen." She glanced at EVE. "EVE, I never told you that I had a small, short crush on you around 20 years ago."

Unacceptable. ABSOLUTELY unacceptable.

"But... because it was a small crush, it went away quickly. Besides, you're with WALL-E anyway!" She giggled. "Ah! I should probably get back to AUTO, right? See ya!" She floated over towards my direction, and immediately noticed me.

"...AUTO, what was your directive anyway...?" She asked when she saw me.

I thought for a second, then said, "It doesn't matter. I have a new directive now."

"Oh? What is it?"

"Protecting my beloved; you."