The gaping hole in the ceiling of the AI chamber had rain dripping through it. It seemed unsettling to GLaDOS that the facility was in such a state of disrepair, but it wasn't something she could't do. Panels shook and quivered with the effort of moving after a few years of stasis. It had to have been at least ten years. Water slowly drained from the chamber and debris was being cleaned out slowly by the many claws and panels under her control.
"So... tell me why it is, that you felt the need to wake her?" she inquired to the smaller robot, who looked like he was about to shut down from nervousness.
"I... well.. you know, she was the only one left, and I didn't wake her up, the cryo-chambers turned off on their own! I guess they were programmed or something. The mainframe looked like it had been patched, and there was a trail of blood leading back into a relaxation vault. I always stayed away from that certain vault though.. because, well.. i'm afraid of blood. Well, not afraid of blood, but afraid of dead people. No.. that doesn't sound right either.. Well, you know what I mean, right?"
"...Yes" Her voice trailed off slowly, as if thinking back to Bring Your Daughter To Work Day. All those years ago, she had been turned on, they held this event for the scientists and their beloved children. Children were really, all they had left, and it had been after the science fair portion that all of the scientist were called to the AI chamber. The room was flooded with a deadly neurotoxin, which was of no specific origin.. Who knows? It could have been batrachotoxin, tetrodotoxin, maybe even taipoxin, or perhaps a mix of the three, and then some. They were all down within five minutes, and their daughters were escorted to a set of relaxation vaults. That was with no regrets.
"Hello? Are you... are you okay?" The small bot questioned, he didn't seem to be pressing his luck too hard, especially in the tight spot he happened to be in at the certain point in time. Rain still poured through the opening in the ceiling, and plants still snaked down and seemed to be grabbing onto the metal portions of the rafters. "Please.. really, just blink or something if you can still hear me, this is.. really creeping me out now, honestly."
"Right, sorry, I was thinking about something that happened awhile back. About her, speaking of her, she's back in the testing tracks as we speak. It's enthralling that she's here." She couldn't lie, it was nice to have that determined face in the back of her mind. It seemed like she was still trying to get out, but it never occurred to her that GLaDOS could kill her whenever she felt the need. She chose not to, which was unlike her. "You could say, I missed her, to an extent, though she never did leave me."
"Why must you keep her here, love? She doesn't deserve this punishment, after all, she really just wanted to get out in the first place. I mean... er, actually, I'll shut up now." He seemed a bit edgy, but why would she kill him? She had no desire or blood lust for this small, helpless personality sphere. In fact, she felt like she knew him.
"You called me love just now?" she drew closer to him, her piercing gaze never leaving his vibrant optic, until their 'foreheads' were touching again. "I've never had anyone call me by that petty name. Ever. So, what makes you think it's correct to call me that?"
"Well, I mean, it's common courtesy, and I figured that you don't talk to people often, so it would be nice, if I were polite, is all. And you haven't killed me yet. Thanks, by the way." He wasn't blinking, and he didn't seem as afraid anymore, so maybe he had finally warmed up to her, as warm as he could get, anyway. She was, indeed, cold hearted as people had described her before. She never felt emotion, in fact, she never had a friend either. She didn't know what to say to Wheatley, because he taught her something in that one bold statement.
"This much is true, and do not mention it. And by the way... I cannot fix you, and for this, I am sorry. I do not have your model number or information, because you do not know your actual name. As far as I am concerned, it is Wheatley, and it will remain as Wheatley." A slow grinding noise occurred to them, as a guide rail slid out from behind a newly formed wall. His optic slid over to look at it.
"You're letting me go? Just like that? I'm... confused" She attached him to the guide rail carefully, and nodded.
It was the least she could do, even if it seemed like a bad idea.
"Go, do what you'd like, though I will be messing with test chambers, do not break anything, or do anything I'll regret."
"Thank you! Thank you so much, love! I won't disappoint you!" He quickly slid out of the room and then he let out a heavy sigh. "That was traumatizing! I didn't think I'd make it! I need to go get Chell, before something terrible happens to her!" He began to himself, as he sped down the railing, toward the new testing track.