Doug walked alongside Valentine as he studied the town. The Combine had altered some of the buildings or had just torn some down, but he was actually starting to recognize it now.

"Are you okay?" Valentine asked.

Doug nodded but didn't look at her. "I'm still trying to process everything," he said. "I feel like I'm in shock. I mean, this used to be my home. I've lived here all my life."

"So have I," Valentine said. "I'm sure it's a lot weirder for you, though. You didn't watch it become like this."

"That's true. I guess I should be a little grateful of that."

"How does it feel knowing that you were in stasis for so long? How long were you in stasis?"

"I'd say for the better half of fifteen years," he answered. "I kind of feel uncomfortable. I mean, I must have seen you dozens of times at your uncle's diner when you were a kid. I was in my early twenties. But now our age difference isn't that far apart. I don't like knowing that I was practically frozen for so long."

"Sorry about your discomfort," Valentine said. "But it could be worse. You could be dead."

That sentence hung in the air between them for a few moments like smoke. He had often thought about how he needed to survive for multiple reasons like aiding Chell in her escape or keeping Nora safe. His purpose right now was to get Nora out of Aperture. After that, it would be to keep her safe again. As he was brooding over all of this, he realized that he wasn't living for himself anymore. Before GLaDOS was even created, his life had been like that of a zombie's. He hadn't really enjoyed his hectic life. He would go to work, pay his bills, and try to keep his delusions sorted out from reality. Even his schizophrenia had seemed mundane.

When GLaDOS had gassed the facility, he had really started living, but not for himself. He had been living to ensure the safety of others. Now that he was out of the facility, an idea occurred to him. It made him feel terribly guilty and selfish, but maybe it was a good idea. Maybe he should try living for himself while he was out on the surface. It could do him some good.

"Are you crazy?!" a furious voice screamed in his head. "Wait, dumb question. I know you are! How could you think of forgetting about poor, little Nora! She could be dead for all we know!"

She's a smart girl, Doug thought. I'm sure she's alright for now. And I'm not forgetting about her. I'll go back for her.

"Bullshit!" the voice growled. As it continued, it blended into Wheatley's voice. "You have to go back for her now! She's frightened in there and all alone! I can't believe you! How can you say she's your best friend?!"

She is my best friend! Doug argued.

"Liar! Dirty, rotten liar! Go back for her right now! Leave this stupid, bossy woman and go save Nora!"

"Doug?" Valentine asked. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine!"

"There's no need to snap at me," she said crossly. "I was only asking."

Doug kept his head down. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm just not feeling well."

"Is it your schizophrenia?"

"Yes," he said curtly. "It's my schizophrenia that you're so god damn interested in."

"I'm not that interested in it," Valentine said. "I just….I have a fascination for abnormal psychological conditions."

"So am I just a case study to you?" Doug grumbled.

"Of course not," Valentine said heatedly. "And could you please stop being a jackass for one minute?"

Doug turned to scowl at her but noticed that her eyes were tearing up. Embarrassed, she wiped her eyes and continued to glower at him.

"What?" she said in a hard tone.

"Nothing," Doug said, looking down again. "I just have a lot going on in my head right now."

"Great excuse," a condescending voice said. "A lot going on in your head, huh? Don't be so wrapped up with what's going on in here, buddy. Check out your surroundings. I bet GLaDOS is watching your every move right now."

What the hell are you talking about now? Doug demanded.

"You know what I mean," the voice continued. "It was a long time ago when GLaDOS said it, but she knew about the Combine. She has access to information on the surface, Dougie. You have to admit that that's a bit….disconcerting, right?"

Stop putting ideas into my head! That's not true!

"What's going on out there will make you wish you were back in here," GLaDOS' menacing voice said. "All I know is I'm the only thing standing between us and them. Well, I was."

"Shut up!"

"Doug? What's wrong?!"

Doug didn't know how, but he was suddenly sitting on the ground and clamping his hands over his ears. He looked around to see people giving him sympathetic and worried expressions. His face turned red.

Not again.