AN: Finally an update. I haven't forgotten about you guys, I promise.
...
Wheatley didn't know what to think.
"The Queen got me a gift?"
It didn't make much sense to him. As far as he knew, she had never gotten any of the servents a gift before. So why now? And why him?
"I have so much to write about."
Placing the journal on the table beside him, Wheatley crawled into bed and went to sleep.
...
The next morning, Wheatley spent his free time writing in his new journal. He wrote about everything from the mysterious door, to the baby, to...well, everything. He had to admit, it helped clear his head a little to write it all down.
When Wheatley wasn't writing, he was either entertaining GLaDOS, or helping Eliza with the kids. He noticed that Vincent seemed to eye Chell a lot, which made Wheatley uneasy.
"A grown man should not eye a young child like that." He thought.
Wheatley made a note (in his mind AND his journal) to keep an eye on Vincent and to never allow him to be alone with Chell.
...
Night fell, and Wheatley helped Eliza get the kids to bed. Giving Chell a kiss on her forhead, he wished her a good night. She smiled at him and gave him a big hug, which made Wheatley smile back.
After the kids were safely in bed, Eliza walked up to Wheatley.
"Thank you so much for all the help. If it wasn't for you and Daniel, I don't think I'd make it through the day." she laughed.
Wheatley suddenly remember something Daniel had said.
"I was almost sure she would kick her out this time."
"Eliza, can I ask you something?"
"Well I suppose so." She laughed. "What's on your mind?"
Wheatley took a breath. "Daniel and I were talking a while back, and he said something that caught my attention."
"Ok."
"Well, you see, we were talking about the Queen being upset about Doug, and Daniel said he was surprised she didn't kick you out this time. What did he mean by this time?"
Eliza just looked at Wheatley. "Let's just say I've pissed off the Queen once before."
Wheatley was confused, but sensed that she wasn't willing to talk about it. He then wished her a good night, and went on another stroll around the castle.
He had began to memorize the guards routes and shifts. Nothing really useful to him, but he guessed that kind of happens when you go walking at night as much as he did. He took the same route most nights, occasionally changing things up. And every time upon reaching the third floor, Wheatley looked for the light.
Nothing.
Again.
It had been this way for months and he wondered if the person was even using the room anymore. He doubted it, but checked all the same. Who knows, maybe one day he'd figure out what was behind it.
Retracing his steps, he turned back around and headed back the way he came. Ever since the night he heard the King and Queen fighting, he had not dared to go to the fourth floor.
Upon reaching the first floor, he came across Vincent in the corridor. Wheatley hoped to avoid him.
"Hello, Jester."
Damn it.
"Hello."
Vincent gave a small smile. "What brings you out this evening?" He placed his hands in the pockets of his coat.
"I could ask the same of you."
"Touche, but I asked first."
"Out for a walk. Your turn."
"Going out to the courtyard to make plans to re-due the garden."
"Well you have fun with that."
Vincent eyed Wheatley. "You distrust me."
Is it that noticeable? Wheatley thought.
"I'll take your silence as a yes."
"Do you ever trust a complete stranger you just met?"
Vincent smiled. "I'll talk to you some other time, Wheatley was it?"
"Yes."
"Well then. Untill next time." Vincent walked towards the front doors of the castle.
Just talking to him makes my skin crawl. Wheatly thought. There is definately something off about him.
Trying to shake off the uneasy feeling he had, he decided to head to the back courtyard.
...
The night sky was so clear back here. It was harder to see in the front courtyard with all the street lamps and whatnot, but out in the back, it was the most beautiful shade of midnight black, with a hint of deep purple, speckled with white sparks. It reminded Wheatley of his home villiage sometimes, and on days when he missed it, he'd come out here to think.
And Wheatley had so much to think about. So many questions, and so few anwers.
What was behind that door? Who was going in there? Why is it hidden?
And what's going on with Eliza? Where did Doug REALLY come from? Where did she get all that money? And what happened when she pissed off the Queen the first time?
Who was this Vincent guy? And why did he eye Chell so much?
What was with his reoccuring dream? What did it mean? Did it even mean anything at all?
He wondered if he'd ever figure any of it out. Some things he knew he should stay out of, but he just couldn't help it. It bugged him not knowing. It worried him not knowing.
Epecially when it comes to Eliza and the kids. They have become like a second family to me. I'd be devastated if anything happened to them.
Sometimes he wondered if he was supposed to know. Maybe it just wasn't his fate. Honestly, he didn't even know what made him think he even deserved to know. He was just a jester. He wasn't someone special, or important.
But the Queen thought I was important enough to give a present to.
That was another thing he couldn't figure out. What made her do that? He did appreciate it, but it just didn't make sense to him. She never showed any sign of caring for any of the servents. Did something change?
Suddenly a voice broke him from his trance.
"Lovely isn't it."
Startled, Wheatley turned around to see the Princess standing behind him.
"Oh, Hello Princess. I didn't know you were visiting the castle."
She gave a small smile. "People usually don't."
He couldn't help but ask. "Why is that?"
She merley looked up at the sky. "It's just the way things are."
He wasn't sure what she ment by that, but she seemed almost sad.
"If you don't mind me asking, What is the reason for your visit?"
The Princess looked at him. "You really ask too many questions."
Wheatley bowed. "I'm sorry your Highness. I did not mean to intrude."
"You are forgiven."
Wheatley stood. He did have one more question for her.
"Forgive me again, Princess, but I've never caught your name."
She turned to look at him.
"Caroline."
With that she turned around and walked back toward the castle.
Wheatley watched her disappear past the door. There was yet another thing he wondered about.
When did the Princess get here? Why doesn't anyone ever know she's here?
All this wondering was making Wheatley's head hurt. He decided to head back to his room.
...
Entering his room, Wheatley sat down on his bed. He looked over at his journal on the table next to him.
I'll probably write in the morning.
With that, Wheatley turned himself in for the night.
...
A lone letter sits on a desk. A man smoking a cigar takes it in his hands. He reads and re-reads the letter 3 times. He knows this won't be easy, but it's quite the payment. He gets up from his seat and begins to get the necessary equipment for the job. He smiles at the idea of all that gold.
"...Remember, you must maintain the upmost discretion."
That's what the letter had said. The man grabs his gear, and heads off to make his fortune.
...
Reviews are always welcome.