GLaDOS's thoughts were interrupted as the lift made its way up to her chamber. Chell emerged wearing a satisfied smirk after completing the latest round of tests.

"How fast was that? I think I have these vents down!"

"I have noted no variance from your average. But you did well…enough."

Chell wrinkled her nose, "Oh come on! You know I'm the best test subject you've ever had," she said, hoping to spur a reaction out of the giant construct.

"…perhaps," GLaDOS replied coyly. Chell noted that she seemed to be a bit more pensive than usual today. Not that there wasn't a steady stream of snide comments directed at her, but they seemed a bit delayed. She seemed distracted. Not in the way that something was really wrong, but more like she was trying to make some sort of…decision perhaps?

Chell sat down cross-legged on the floor of the central AI chamber and stared up at GLaDOS. "Something on your mind? You seem deep in thought today."

"I am always deep in thought. I am the most massive collection of knowledge that's ever existed; I am currently running processes beyond your comprehension in addition to running the Enrichment Center and the reactor," GLaDOS huffed.

Chell gave a small smile, "Yeah, you are definitely the best at running the facility…" There was a period of silence after that. When Chell finally looked up she saw that GLaDOS was staring intently at her. Had she been staring the whole time?

"What?"

"Nothing," GLaDOS said she drew back.

"Oh come on!"

GLaDOS paused for a moment before giving a dramatic sigh, "If you must know, there seems to be a problem with the incinerator room. There's a piece of garbage down there that just. Won't. Burn. I think it might need to be taken care of…manually."

Chell stared blankly at GLaDOS. "Wait…you want me to go down there?"

"Amazing. You deduced it in one try."

"You want me. To go into the incinerator room," she said with utter disbelief.

"And now you are repeating yourself."

She shook her head, "No. I'm just trying to process this. Because, it's not like I haven't had horrible experiences in the incinerator room." Chell thought a moment, "And can't you control what happens in down there?"

GLaDOS stiffened, "If I could, do you think that I would have allowed you to murder me the first time?"

Silence.

"Good point. But-"

"Honestly. I don't want my entire facility smelling like burning whale blubber," GLaDOS said airily.

Well, that was all the reassurance Chell needed. "Alright…I'll do it," she said as she headed toward the shaft. "…but we both know you're glad to be rid of those cores."

"Just go. Maybe you'll sweat off a few pounds…"

Chell wiped sweat from her brow. GLaDOS definitely turned down the heat, but that didn't mean it still wasn't hot as Hell. Really, Chell just wanted to dispose of whatever it was that GLaDOS wanted and get out of here.

Speaking of which, she didn't see that particular piece of garbage GLaDOS was talking about. Sure, various Weighted Storage Cubes, Edgeless Safety Cubes and turrets were falling down the various chutes, but they all seemed to be burning just fine in the lower bowels of the room. She really didn't see the problem…

…unless there was no problem.

Oh God, what if she really did lure me down here to burn me? Chell thought. She clutched her portal gun tighter. I swear if she did I'm going to go back up there and murder her like I've never- No…no. She hasn't tried to kill me in earnest for a long time…

Chell's thoughts were interrupted by a loud electronic pop followed by sparking. Relieved, Chell approached the noise. Looks like I've found the problem, whatever it is it sounds like it's going to explode any second! All that sparking and whimpering- wait, what?

Chell looked down to see what looked like a small personality core amidst the dying flames. It was glowing a bright orange, like a weapon that had been just drawn out of the forge. At Chell's approach, it opened it's unmistakably blue optic.

"…Chell?"

Oh. Oh my God.

Chell reached down and caught it in the gun's beam.

"…Wheatley."

A/N: Urgh, a chapter where pretty much nothing happens. D: I've been struggling with how to write this and upcoming chapters. I want to write in both Chell's and Wheatley's POV because I feel that it is important to explore both their feelings. So I'm trying to split it up into a few alternating POV chapters. I hate switching POV's mid-chapter. Some people can pull it off well. I can't. XD

Sorry this chapter didn't really go anywhere, I just wanted to show Chell's feelings (and a bit of GLaDOS's.) More action next chapter! :D

And as always, constructive criticism is appreciated! Any errors should be brought to my attention! And also if you think this chapter sucks, is out of place, has ruined the story/mood then do let me know! If it could use a rewrite, do tell! I hope I haven't made a mess out of this. XD;;;

And thanks for all the reviews/faves on this and my other stories! :D