A/N: Okay, wow. So someone has kindly drawn fanart for this fic. You can find the link in the reviews.
So. Wow. Speechless is the only word. I don't even know what to say, save thank you. I'm still in shock a little. Wasn't expecting that in the least. That was a nice surprise when I got home from work. Predictably, traffic to the fic has increased substantially. So again, thank you. More broadly, I also continue to appreciate all of your positive reviews. Sincerely.
Anyway, I've rambled long enough.
Chapter Eight: The Ninth Annual Aperture Science New Year's Eve Countdown Party
In the days between Christmas and New Year's, Cave showed me even more around his estate. One day he took me up to the highest balcony in his veritable castle. I kept my distance from the railing due to my slight fear of heights, while Cave leaned on it fearlessly. He waved his hand with gusto over the view.
"Beautiful, right? Take a look at the scenery." I nodded appreciatively. "Everything the light touches belongs to me," he said proudly. "So the weird forest in the distance that always stays dark? Not mine. Place is probably haunted or something..."
I laughed as Cave took a sip of his wine. "So who owns the forest?"
"Who else? Black Mesa."
It was obvious he was joking, and we both laughed at that one. "But they don't even know what a forest is! They're located in a giant desert!" I pointed out.
"Exactly! That's why they're all holed up over there. To conduct science on some kind of new, alien habitat." I kept laughing, but he frowned. "Actually, they might really be there. Damn corporate spies. We should probably just burn it down."
"Sir? I think you've had too much to drink..."
He emptied his glass. "You are as insightful as ever, Caroline."
Another day we spent the day in his study. As I worked on projects already in progress, Cave sat in his chair and thought up new experiments.
"I have a way to prevent future energy problems," he told me. "We could convert blood into gasoline."
I grimaced. "I'm not sure how that would work..."
"Neither am I. That's what the lab boys are for." He jotted it down on a a legal pad, ripped the sheet off and pinned it to an already overloaded corkboard. "We need a way to make coal, too." He rapped his pen on the desk for a few minutes before writing something else down and sticking that page to the corkboard too. I read what he'd written and sighed.
"Anything else you think we can possibly convert into gasoline or coal?" he asked.
"I think you have enough ideas yourself, sir."
And each day there was feast for dinner that was comparable to what we'd had on Christmas day. Every day I ate more than I thought I would, and still Cave laughed at me for having no appetite. The quality of the food never failed to disappoint, of course, and the deserts only got better each day.
The day before New Year's Eve I awoke to the sounds of people rushing through the hallways, busy preparing the mansion for the next day. Every year, Cave hosted a New Year's Eve party for all the employees, all but making it mandatory for everyone to come. I was still trying to figure out what a party would do for science, but Cave explained it was mostly to build morale among the employees.
"Happy employees are hardworking employees, and hardworking employees make better science," he'd told me. "Besides, I have the biggest television set out of anyone here. Better to watch the countdown on."
I entered the den, where Cave was shouting at three of his servants. "If you keep handling that lamp like that, you're all going to get fired. Do you have any idea how much that cost? Twice your salary. At least."
"Um, sir?" I interrupted gently, getting his attention. "Isn't there anything I can do to help?"
"Don't be silly, Caroline. You work at Aperture, not at my house, and this is your vacation time." His frown deepened as the servants in question dropped a rather elaborate light arrangement. "Besides, nothing about this has anything to do with science. You wouldn't enjoy it."
"If you're sure..." I turned to return to my room.
"Caroline?"
I glanced over my shoulder.
"Wear that red dress tomorrow, would you?"
"I was planning on it, sir."
The next morning I found Cave directing the last few party preparations in a sharp black suit and dark crimson tie that matched my dress perfectly. I noted the silver chain of his pocketwatch hanging out under the jacket as he turned to face me. He grinned as I entered, taking in my dress and the necklace around my neck.
"You," he said, "look spectacular."
"As do you, sir."
Before long, employees streamed inside by the carload, as almost everyone carpooled. Cave was very lenient with the alcohol consumption, although he didn't drink much himself. As the clock approached midnight, he found me talking with some of the engineers about next year's projects at a table. He dragged me out of my chair and led me over to a table in the center of the house. I realized why he had refrained from drinking as he jumped easily onto a table and called everyone's attention.
"Now, as the New Year comes closer, I'd like to point out some high points of this year." He pointed his empty wineglass at me. "First and foremost, my personal assistant Caroline. Probably the most important thing that happened here, as I'm sure everyone is well aware." He paused for the voluntary applause, and I couldn't help blushing. "Second, of course, is our improved contract to sell shower curtains to every military branch but the navy, damn them. And last but not least, is Caroline again." Everyone laughed, and I blushed deeper. "So since she's been such a big help this year, I'll let her decide what this year's toast is." He extended his hand so I could join him on the table. "Caroline?"
I imagined what we must've looked like, standing above all the employees. With our near matching clothes, we probably looked like the lord and lady of Aperture, ready to lead them fearlessly through whatever tried to get in our way. I could feel the anticipation in the room as every eye focused on Cave and me, their bosses, as I realized what we had to toast to.
I took a deep breath to steady myself as Cave filled our glasses. "To science," I said, lifting my glass.
"TO SCIENCE!" everyone echoed, before taking a drink. Cave quieted everyone down as the countdown on the television screen began. He started at ten, and everyone joined in as the new year came closer.
At zero, he gave me a quick peck on the cheek. I blushed and gave him a questioning look, and he kept his gaze steady He held his glass towards me.
"To the best assistant I've ever had."
I put mine less than an inch away from his. "To the best boss I've ever had."
We clinked our glasses as the confetti and balloons started to rain from the ceiling. Several people quickly picked them up and hit them across the room, effectively starting a giant game of Don't Touch the Floor. Cave and I jumped off the table and joined in, and the party lasted well into the morning, with the last car leaving with the dawn.
Cave sighed as the car raced out of sight from the front window, and I cautiously put my head on his shoulder. It was a comfortable resting spot for my tired, spinning head. He closed the curtains with a flourish.
"And that," he said, putting an arm around my waist, "was an Aperture Science New Year's Eve Countdown Party."
After that night, I knew I was in the right place, and I was so sure nothing would ever be able to change that.
A/N: Admittedly, I was hesitant on this chapter, but Aperture Science and Cave Johnson are still young and happy, and it's the fifties. Why the hell not.
