AN: I know it's been a while, and I really don't have an excuse for why. Just haven't been up to writing I guess.
...
Wheatley stood up and dusted himself off. His back and neck were sore from sleeping on the hard floor. He stepped out of the storage room. Looking out one of the windows, he noticed it was still dark. Knowing he missed his chance for the night, he decended the stairs to the first floor. He stopped briefly at Eliza's door. All was quiet. He walked into his room and crawled into bed.
...
Wheatley spent the next several days mentally kicking himself for falling asleep before catching a glance at the person in the room. He had been so close to finding out who it was. Sighing to himself, he aproached the door to the Queen's chambers.
Wheatley gave GLaDOS a bow as he entered the room.
"What can I do for you, my Queen?"
She turned to face him. "Meet me in the back courtyard."
"As you wish." he bowed and left the room.
Ten minutes later Wheatley found himself standing in front of the Queen, holding a wooden pole. On each end of the pole, there was a groove carved into it with a bucket hanging from it. The buckets were filled to the top with water.
"Now you will walk along the castle walls. You are not to spill the water. Spilling it will result in you walking longer. Understood?"
Wheatley inwardly groaned, but outwordly he simply said, "I understand."
"Good. Now begin."
As Wheatley walked, the Queen was on her horse, following him. After about ten minutes, he was almost sure he'd collapse.
I have to keep going, I don't want to be out here forever.
Gathering whatever strenght he had left, he managed to go for a total of 45 minutes before completely passing out.
...
The Queen had Wheatley repeat this process the next day, and to his horror, the following five days. To say he was worn out would be an understatment. Daniel had to help Eliza with the kids the entire week, as Wheatley couldn't even manage to get out of bed. Daniel would come over and bring Wheatley some food, drink, and company.
"Boy she's running you into the ground isn't she?"
Wheatley used all his strenght to sit up. "Yeah. I think she's mad about Doug."
"That wouldn't surprise me. What DOES surprise me is that Eliza and the kids are not out on the streets. I was almost sure she would kick her out this time."
Before Wheatley could ask what he ment by 'this time', they heard Doug crying next door.
"Well, got to go. Try to take it as easy as you can. I'll talk to you later."
Wheatley nodded. "Ok. Thanks for the meal."
"Anytime."
Luckily for Wheatley, GLaDOS gave him the next day off.
...
A few months had gone by, and Wheatley was getting the hang of his daily walk around the castle. The buckets didn't seem so heavy anymore, and he mananged to spill little to no water. That was quite a feat considering the fact that GLaDOS had added another bucket on each side about a month and a half ago.
Wheatley had become quite built, his muscles being quite noticeable without any effort. When he would go into town, he noticed alot of the young women would wave at him, and giggle. Chell seemed to do the same.
Although she didn't wave or giggle, there were times when Wheatley swore the Queen was eyeing him just like the young townswomen did.
Today was Wheatley's birthday, and the castle servents were doing their best to decorate the servant dining quaters. (GLaDOS didn't seem to care, much to everyone's relief.) Daniel was making a cake, and Eliza and Chell were out buying gifts.
"Everything looks great." Wheatley said, a genuine smile on his face.
Daniel joined in the smile. "It's not fancy, but we're glad you like it."
Once Chell and Eliza returned, and the presents were put up on a table in the corner, everyone got back to work and agree to meet back at the dining quaters later that night. Chell was put on "present duty" to ensure Wheatley didn't cheat and open one early, a job she took very seriously as she had sat herself in a chair in front of the table and crossed her arms. Wheatley silently chuckled. She was definately one determined little girl.
...
Wheatley spent his day doing his usual walk with GLaDOS, and thinking about what his birthday presents might be. He didn't really ask for anything, so he had no idea what they could have gotten him.
He was anxious for night to fall.
After his walk, Wheatley decided to check the door on the third floor. Nothing. It had been like this for months now. Decending the stairs, he noticed a man being escorted to the servants quaters. The man was tall and thin, with black hair. Wheatley could have sworn he saw red eyes. Wanting to know who this mysterious guy was, Wheatley walked into the servent's wing and followed.
"Here you go Mr. Vincent. This will be your room." the guard said, indicating the old gardener's room.
"Thank you." Vincent's voice was deep, but quiet.
His eyes really ARE red!
Vincent entered his room and shut the door.
...
Night had fallen and the entire servent's wing was celebrating Wheatley's birthday. Vincent stood in the back of the room and simply watched. Honestly, it made Wheatley uneasy. Trying to push the feeling away, he turned to his gifts. Chell was holding one out and hoping up and down.
"She picked this one." Eliza explained.
Smiling, Wheatley opened the present. It was a puppet. It had blonde hair, and blue eyes and looked very much like a jester. Smiling he gave Chell a hug.
"Thank you, Chell. This will come in handy."
Chell seemed pleased that he liked his gift.
Wheatley spent the rest of the evening opening presents and talking to everyone. Most of his presents were clothes, including a brand new jester uniform.
...
After the party, everyone went to thier respective rooms, some saying their last "Happy Birthday"s. Giving his thanks, Wheatley walked into his room. His bed seemed to be calling for him to climb in. Answering the call, he made his way to his bed, discovering something wrapped in a nice cloth on his pillow. Wheatley unwrapped it.
It was an empty journal, a bottle of ink, and a quill.
This will be good for writing down any information I have about that door, Eliza and the baby, and for that reocurring dream I keep having.
Picking up the journal, Wheatley noticed a small note in GLaDOS's handwritting.
"Happy Birthday."
...
Awww A nice sweet ending to this one, don'tcha think?
Reviews are always welcome.