Everything was in order. GLaDOS stood with the wire in her shaking hand, looking up at the chassis. She'd done the right thing, so why did it hurt so much? She went over to the desk in the corner and opened a drawer, pulling out a small laser engraver. Biting her lip, she etched a name into the arm of the android.
CaROLINE
She put the small device back where it belonged, then looked again at the chassis. She hadn't felt heartbreak before she entered the android. Reason could only prove that if she were to be taken out of it, the hurt would be gone. And she had no reason to stay. She had no one to hold, or be held by. No one to kiss or be kissed. She had nothing.
A synthetic tear trailed down her cheek, which she quickly wiped away. Why had she even put those in there? It didn't matter now. It would all be over soon. Before she connected herself, a familiar melody issued from her mouth.
"Time to say goodbye.
Paesi che non ho mai
Veduto e vissuto con te,
Adesso sì li vivrò
Con te partirò
Su navi per mari
Che, io lo so,
No, no, non esistono più,
Con te io li vivrò"
And from directly behind her, another voice, continuing the song.
"Quando sei lontana
sogno all'orizzonte
e mancan le parole,
e io si lo so
che sei con me, con me,
tu mia luna tu sei qui con me,
mio sole tu sei qui con me,
con me, con me, con me"
She knew that voice. But it had to be her imagination, right? No. She'd never had much of an imagination. She turned and could barely believe what she saw.
Cave smiled kindly at her. "I couldn't stay away."
"But what about Doug...?" She was still in shock. Had he really come back? For her?
"I promised to visit once in a while. If it's okay with you." She took a few steps closer to him, he did the same.
Her arms around his neck, his around her waist. "Only if you kiss me."
He'd have been a fool to argue.