A/N: OK, this will be an odd chapter. It will focus on Alyx and Gordon at the Stranded encampment, with predictable results. Relatively little combat. While the story itself is classified as sci-fi/adventure, this is more like romance/humor.

Alyx Vance, Stranded Encampment, Tomb, Sera

"So, what's your story?" asked a Stranded cleaning his shotgun.

"Uh…" Alyx looked at Gordon. He simply shrugged.

"Well, it's a bit of a long story, and it's going to sound kinda crazy…"

"We got time."

"OK, the first thing you should know is, we're actually from Earth…"

An hour later…

"…and then I saw Gordon on the level below me –" Alyx was interrupted when the lights began to flicker.

"Uh-oh," the Stranded leader muttered. "Either of you any good with wires?"

"Let me take a look." Alyx took out her multitool – thankfully, it had accompanied her all this way – and opened up the powerbox.

"Exactly what happens if the lights go out?" she asked.

"We die."

"How does that happen?"

"The Kryll. They're small flying creatures that come in swarms. They don't like light. But if they catch you in the dark, they kill you. Humans, Locust, don't matter."

"It's why these settlements are so big. We need the light to stay alive, but then the Locusts come. So we group together – strength in numbers."

Alyx found the faulty wire. A little jolt from her multitool fused it back together.

"Done!"

Alyx closed the box and got down.

"Man, you're good."

"It wasn't much."

Alyx sniffed the air. There was smoke.

"Is something burning?"

A Stranded by the name of Carlos bolted to his feet and ran inside.

"Dinner's ready!"

Dinner wasn't actually bad. On the one hand, it was clear that the Stranded were working with poor ingredients. On the other hand, it was clear that Carlos was a very good cook.

The main course was breadsteak – a very thick bread infused with protein supplements. Breadsteak was the main source of protein for the Stranded. It tasted good. The vegetables, on the other hand… weren't so great. The overcooking had destroyed a lot of the taste. Alyx only had a few vegetables.

They chatted about many things. Alyx completed her story about their origins, leaving out the details of their operations here on Sera. She felt that Marcus Fenix wouldn't really want the Stranded to know about the resonator.

Once she was done, one of the Stranded turned to Gordon.

"You know, all this time, she's been talking, but you haven't said a word. Why's that?"

"Gordon's a man of few words," Alyx answered.

"Besides, Alyx covered everything," Gordon added.

"Not quite." The Stranded raised a finger. "After you teleported back to Kleiner's lab, Alyx stayed to help him evacuate, while you left to join the fighting in the streets. Alyx got Kleiner out of the city, then infiltrated the Citadel to free her father. She got captured, and then she saw you – also captured – in Dr. Breen's office."

"So?"

"So, how did YOU get there?"

Gordon took a deep breath. "You want my story?"

"Sure, why not?"

"OK. After I left Kleiner's lab, I linked up with some Resistance fighters. They followed me as we fought through the city…"

Alyx listened as Gordon spoke of his experiences. He was much more succinct than she was, quickly summarizing the urban fighting. He described how they pushed through the streets, overcoming the Combine troops through sheer tenacity – and inventive use of the gravity gun.

"Then we came out of the Overwatch building, and there were two Striders in the plaza."

"Striders?"

"A sort of walker. It has a body the size of a car, but legs that make it three stories tall. And it has both a machine gun and a dark energy cannon that can blow up buildings."

"Shit, that sounds worse than a Corpser. How did you take it down?"

"RPGs. It wasn't easy – and without the hazard suit, I'd be dead. But we took them down. Of course, I head into a nearby building, come out into a tunnel, and there's another Strider…"

Alyx's jaw dropped. Striders were one of the few things that scared her. Her response to Striders was to run. She knew that rebels had fought Striders before, but it took coordinated teams, and one could expect to lose a few men to take down one Strider. By her count, Gordon had taken down more than five.

Gordon then described his entry into the Citadel, the charging up of the gravity gun, and the resulting carnage.

"And then I came to another pod. I got on this one, hoping it would take me to Breen. It did – except the Combine were waiting. An Elite took my gun, and Judith led me to Breen. There, I saw Eli. Breen tried to get Eli – or me – to order the rebels to surrender."

"Like that would work! The rebels would know Eli was under duress."

"My thoughts exactly. And that's when he brought you down, to pressure us."

Everyone was silent. Then another Stranded spoke.

"Hell, the Locusts don't stand a chance against you. But I have one more question, Dr. Freeman."

"What would that be?"

"When did you fall in love with her?"

Gordon turned red. Then he smiled.

"Well, if you must know, it was love at first sight – when she rescued me from the CPs after I arrived in City 17. You get knocked out by a bunch of faceless goons, then wake up to see a pretty woman and a bunch of dead goons, I couldn't help it. There's also the fact that she's intelligent, witty, and probably knows as much about physics as I do…"

Alyx couldn't contain herself. She put her arms around Gordon. He reciprocated. They kissed. The Stranded cheered.

"Congratulations, Dr. Freeman. I believe you have yourself a girlfriend." Carlos dug in a storage cabinet before pulling out a beer. "We save these for special occasions, but I think this qualifies."

Gordon took the beer.

Gordon Freeman, Stranded Encampment, Sera

They had been alone for about an hour. The Stranded had politely left the two alone. They just held each other. No words were exchanged. None were needed.

Their embrace was interrupted when Marcus's voice came over the radio.

"Fenix to Freeman, come in."

Gordon bolted upright.

"Freeman here."

"What's your status?"

"Fine."

"Any problems with the Stranded?"

"None whatsoever. How is it going for you?"

"We're almost to the gas station. Just a few more – oh, shit! Lights are out! Chief, turn on your flashlight! Everyone, get under cover!"

Alyx sat up, and they listened as Marcus tried to organize his men.

"GET UNDER COVER NOW!"

"Oh shit, ah, AAAH!" one of the Gears screamed. Alyx and Gordon didn't recognize who it was. Then John's voice said the words they dreaded:

"Man down! Man down!"

A/N: So, I think it's pretty obvious, someone's dead. But who? All we know is that it is either Marcus, Dom, Cole, or Baird. Post your guesses, and whoever is right gets some breadsteak!

Also, Alyx and Gordon's relationship will take a backseat to plot. I just wanted to avoid any tension. It's out in the open, it'll be easier for everyone. It's not like they weren't already inseparable.