One Big Aperture Family
Ballet of the Maschinenmensch
Daily Log of Dr. Douglas Rattmann, Ph.D.:
My old turret injury has been acting up again. I should probably start using my cane again, but I hate how old it makes me feel. If Lil found out I wasn't taking my medication regularly like I should, she'll start grinding the pills into my food again. If the cane didn't make me feel old, that sure did. I guess age is a pretty relative thing. I have two little girls running around calling me "Grandpa", so I might as well act the part, right? I suppose I should try to keep off my feet until the pain medication kicks in.
GLaDOS has had me up and about working on the device almost none stop. If not for GLaDOS's own need to power down and recharge every so often, I would probably never sleep. For a super A.I. inside of a highly sophisticated android body designed to look like an old lady, she sure moves around a lot. Her movements, as I've recorded earlier, have been odd lately. Her movements have been as if she was in pain, but I know she is not capable of such a thing. Well, not in the traditional sense of the word.
The Androids have told me they know her control of the facility is waning as of late. She's too proud to admit it. I hate that about her. But, there are things about her that start a fire in me. Not a bad fire, mind you. I have told many times of my hatred for this A.I., but as of late…
In a sense, we share "grandchildren". I know Lillian and Angela aren't really my granddaughters and their mother wasn't really my daughter. But when they look at me with that look that reminds me of their mother; that cold determination, that tired look of hope, and that fighting spirit are in both of those girls. Even her namesake, Chelly, has those eyes.
If I can be perfectly honest, my dear log, I often feel out of place with this family. But when GLaDOS and her "Cooperative Testing Initiative" bots came to live with us, I suddenly felt a peace I hadn't felt since I lived in the underground of Aperture. I admit I do miss the garden and the cores. Can't say I miss having to wait for the Gardening Core's vegetables to grow in order to have something to eat, but I do miss the many minds around me with their different ideas and functions.
GLaDOS has been the biggest refreshment out of all of this. Something about her constantly hounding over me, insulting my work, chastising me whenever I need to eat or sleep or use the restroom, and even lately when she yells at me for being "too soft" with the girls.
Maybe I've been fighting her for the wrong reason all these years. I can't seem to start the day without seeing my dear "Maschinenmensch". I worry for her, though. She's obviously losing control of the facility little by little each day but she refuses to tell me more about it. If not for the reassurance from the Androids, I wouldn't even believe the entity she's fighting was even real. Her systems could fail at any moment. If it should come to it, I know how to fix her, though. Would it be so wrong if I went back with her and the Androids just to keep an eye on her?
Is my place here with Wheatley and the girls? Or is it by HER side…?
Dr. Rattmann closed his journal and slid it back into its hiding place under his mattress. The last few weeks gave him a lot to think about and even more to plan. His time with GLaDOS was refreshing and it made him happy. Dr. Rattmann, a man of simple pleasures, seemed to look forward to any time he spend working with GLaDOS. It was even better when they worked alone.
With work on the device progressing, their time alone was few and far between. All hands were needed as the device was almost near completion. GLaDOS, very happy at the prospect of taking back her home without having to trudge all the way through the field again, often moaned in a satisfactory tone. Dr. Rattmann didn't know she was capable of this and found it surprisingly relaxing. Dr. Rattmann looked at his wristwatch and decided it was time to get up for the day. With a soft wobble, Dr. Rattmann grabbed his cane and made his way upstairs.
In the living room, GLaDOS opened her eyes and focused on the action in front of her. The little pink radio in the living room was playing classical music. Chelly sat nearby, humming along to the music and generally keeping GLaDOS company as Angie practiced with P-Body. Angie, who was using an overturned laundry basket (with the laundry underneath) to help keep her balance, was surprisingly graceful and kept a good pace with the music. P-Body grabbed Angie's ankle as she stretched. When P-Body let go, Angie looked and felt a lot more limber, which she often described as "feeling like a cooked noodle".
"We start with first position." Angie commanded, standing completely still. Her arms cupped in front, Angie stayed in this position for a few seconds. P-Body and Chelly, who had joined them, imitated. "Now, we go to second position." Angie stretched out her arms; P-Body and Chelly did the same. "Now, third position…" Angie put one arm back in its original position and aligned her ankles. P-Body and Chelly imitated. Chelly wasn't as flexible as Angie and P-Body, so she kept her feet where they were. "Fourth position..."
This went on until even P-Body started to look uncomfortable. Despite being an Android built for the most dangerous testing imaginable, ballet seemed to go over P-Body's head. As flexible as her Android body was, grasping the concepts of ballet wasn't easy. Luckily, GLaDOS built her Androids to be adaptable.
"Now, watch me do my Relevé, Aunt P-Body!" Angie shouted happily as she lifted on to the very tip of her toes. "My ballet teacher says I'm a natural. That's how I beat that Melanie Anderson out for the lead. She thinks just because she has fancier ballet equipment that she's better than me. Well, I showed her! We'll see how well she dances with holes cut into her shoes."
Chuckling at her "granddaughter's" deviousness, GLaDOS kept a soft vigil over the practice session. All the furniture in the living room had been moved so Angie could practice. According to Angie (and the hand-out Lil was reading the other night at dinner), her recital was that coming Saturday. While GLaDOS wanted to spend all the time she could working on the device, Dr. Rattmann made it very clear that he wanted to see Angie's recital. The entire family was excited for it, even the Androids. GLaDOS, unfortunately, saw it as a waste of time. She didn't say that in front of Angie, of course.
Little Chelly watched her aunt lift one leg up behind and almost touch her ponytail with her toe. Chelly balanced on one foot and attempted to do the same. This resulted in her falling over and bumping her chin softly on the hardwood floor.
The moment Chelly started whimpering, GLaDOS found herself shooting up and hurrying over to the injured child. She picked up Chelly and stared at her momentarily. "A quick scan shows you only bumped your chin. Nothing is broken or requires stitches. Your crying is not warranted."
That revelation did not stop Chelly from crying. GLaDOS, looking panicked, sat down and bounced Chelly on her knee. "Please stop leaking coolant, child. Your parents might hear and I'd rather your moron father not yell at me today." GLaDOS pleaded. Chelly calmed down a little bit and stared at her "Grandmother". Chelly hugged GLaDOS tightly. GLaDOS would deny it if ever brought up, but she liked being hugged by her "granddaughters" and she enjoyed spending time with them. She didn't want the rest of the family thinking she had gone soft, especially for a pair of small humans.
"Gamma bouncy!" Chelly shouted happily. GLaDOS obliged and bounced Chelly on her knee some more. "Gamma bouncy more! Faster!" Chelly shouted.
"My maximum speed will turn you into jelly and as I said before, I'd rather not have your moron father yell at me today." GLaDOS placed Chelly down and got up. Ignoring Chelly's soft whining and her reaching motion, GLaDOS made her way to the kitchen. To her surprise, the only person up was Dr. Rattmann. He greeted her by raising his mug of coffee. GLaDOS said nothing.
Dr. Rattmann smiled and put his lips to his cup. "The girls know how to push your buttons, I see." He chuckled, taking a long sip from his coffee. "That's a figure of speech, by the way. If they actually knew how to push your buttons, it might be disastrous."
The rest of the family eventually joined them in the kitchen. Lil waddled down the stairs, obviously uncomfortable in her current state of pregnancy. Her due date was closing in and Wheatley kept a close eye on her. "How are you feeling this morning, love?" he whispered, helping Lil to her chair at the table. "Did you sleep well? Do you need anything? I can go get that heating pad you've grown quite fond of. You've been complaining about your back so much. Just want you to be comfortable. No stress, just comfortable."
Lil dismissed Wheatley and let out a long puff of air. "I'm fine. I'm not completely helpless, you know." Lil chuckled, trying to find humor in the situation.
"You hound over her more than the doctors do." GLaDOS chided, making her presence known. Wheatley ignored her and walked over to the refrigerator to start making breakfast. "You actually trust him enough to cook? He's almost set this house on fire using that multipurpose gas-operated sustenance cooker outside." GLaDOS asked Lil.
Lil shrugged and sat back in her chair. "It's called a grill, for future reference. The doctors want me to stay off my feet. My ankles are so swollen I have to wear laceless slip-ons everywhere I go. I didn't get this big when I was pregnant with Chelly, but this baby is making his presence known. I feel like I'm smuggling bowling balls under my shirt. I could barely get out of bed this morning."
Resisting the urge to make fun, GLaDOS merely nodded. "Lil doesn't need any stress. So, if you have any insults, I suggest you keep them to yourself. I know that's difficult for you to manage, but please try. All I can do is ask politely, so please no insults." Wheatley warned as he pondered the toaster.
GLaDOS would be lying if she said she didn't miss the old Wheatley. The bumbling idiot sphere that cowered at her presence was something she could have gotten used to. But now, without the Intelligence Dampening program blocking any rational thought, Wheatley was slowly able to regain a little of his lost self. He was more assertive and protective, though still wary about standing up to GLaDOS. He was still an idiot, of course. GLaDOS never let him forget that.
"I solemnly swear that I am up to no good." GLaDOS chuckled.
Dr. Rattmann chuckled too and took a swig of his coffee before standing up. "Dr. Rattmann, don't forget your medication." Lil struggled to get up and with a little help from the Androids (who were finished helping Angie practice) Lil stood up and walked over to the medicine cabinet.
While he didn't appreciate being treated like a child, Dr. Rattmann obliged and took his medicine when Lil handed it to him. "Now, if only we could keep 'Gran' under control like that." Wheatley teased, cracking some eggs into a bowl. The family (save for GLaDOS) shared a soft chuckle. "Not that we control you, Dr. Rattmann. I'm teasing."
GLaDOS wasn't amused. "Are you saying you need to keep me on a leash like you do the dog?" GLaDOS folded her arms and looked down at her feet. Rover, the family's turret-dog, had made himself comfortable under the table as the family went about their morning routine. He had awoken from a semi-conscious "nap mode" and stretched his pointy turret legs before shaking himself awake.
"If the shoe fits…" Lil murmured, keeping an eye on Wheatley. "Though, 'Rover' doesn't really have a neck to put a leash or collar around, so the metaphor might be a little unwarranted." Lil watched as Rover came from under the table and nuzzled against her leg.
While he didn't have a neck, the family still put a red collar on him with a tag. As he couldn't go to the vet in the traditional sense of the word, Lil didn't see the need for the collar. Angie was the one that bought the collar (with money that her "grandmother" gave her) and fastened it a little under his eye.
Lil scratched the turret-dog on the tip of his head, making the turret-dog coo happily while tapping his front right leg on the floor softly. Rover, after stretching his legs a bit more, then proceeded to leave the kitchen through the doggy door Wheatley and Dr. Rattmann had installed in the kitchen door a week or so earlier. As long as he stayed on the property, Lil didn't mind Rover going outside. Though, seeing as he was a robot, she didn't see his need to do so.
"Angie, you have been practicing, right?" Lil asked, ignoring Wheatley's soft cursing near the stove. "Your recital is tomorrow night. I'm not sure what dastardly thing you had 'Grandma' help you do to receive the lead, but you'd better be practicing."
"I'm offended that you think I would stoop so low as the damage an entire family's reputation to help the Small One land a role in a children's ballet." GLaDOS folded her arms.
"I call it like I see it." Lil murmured.
Looking somewhat insulted, GLaDOS stood up and started to leave. The moment she stepped through the kitchen door, she froze right where she was. Wheatley looked over from the breakfast he was burning and walked over to the stationary GLaDOS. By the look of her, GLaDOS looked like she was trying to move, but barely forced fidgets were all that came about. Her eyes were wide open, almost blank save for the soft yellow tint of her artificial pupils. She was as stiff as a statue, stopped in a position of light walking.
Wheatley poked GLaDOS a few times and looked deeply into her eyes. He could almost see into her head and the mechanical wonders within. Dr. Rattmann joined him and examined her, softly touching her arms. GLaDOS may not have been able to move, but the sensations brought on by Dr. Rattmann's soft stroking were strong. Her vision paused, GLaDOS tried internally to force herself to move. She was trapped within her own mind, fighting a losing battle.
Why her conscious wasn't transported back to her chassis like she programed the body to do in case of a system's malfunction was somewhat panic inducing. Her mind was its own world, and it was terrifying.
The darkness was almost painful. GLaDOS could hear music coming from all around. The soft violin was haunting; going through GLaDOS's systems like a cold snake. It was music she often heard before she released the neurotoxin on her human captors, though whether it was coming from a core or a loud speaker had yet to be determined. The room started to lighten up, but her vision was fuzzy.
"How does it feel?" she heard a vaguely familiar voice growl. "How does it feel to be trapped?" It growled again. GLaDOS tried to look around, but saw nothing but white. Was this her mind? Was this what the true inside of her mind looked like and not the black abyss she remembered from years ago?
"Who's there?!" GLaDOS shouted. "Show yourself to me now!"
GLaDOS heard a "tsk, tsk, tsk" followed by soft yet sinister laughter. "So impatient aren't we, love? You know what I find interesting about the robots around here?" the voice asked. "We have something of a 'black box feature', I'm sure you remember. Yes, you do, don't you? Over one hundred years of repeating the last few minutes of your life, over, and over, and over, and…well, you get the idea. You 'lived' it, so to speak. Well, you weren't the only one. We all have one. Every last bot and construct and turret and nanobot at this damn facility has one and of course, I'm no exception. Even those Cooperative Testing bots you love so damn much. If there is something left of a brain, we are forced to remember. Maddening, is it not?"
GLaDOS looked around again and tried to triangulate where the voice was coming from. She noted that wherever the voice was coming from, it was nearby but at the same time, it was not. "I must confess, though. I didn't die. Oh no, I didn't die when that blue brute tried to yank out my innards. I didn't die when he threw me off the catwalks. Oh no, I lived. But my brain, in the way it was damaged, acted like I had died. So, not only was I forced to watch that…that damn FAKE leave with my family and my body, but I was forced to relive that walking pile of blue bolts scrap me and toss me over, despite not being dead. Every time I closed my eyes to rest my systems, there it was. Sometimes, I didn't even have to close my eyes. But I learned something…"
The voice sounded like it was walking around. GLaDOS felt as if she was being forced to focus her opticals. Color was returning and now a formless figure paced in front of her. "In being forced to relive that horrific moment every few minutes of my existence, I learned where it was and how to control it. And in doing so, I learned how to control the others as well. Tell me, love…which death do you want to relive?"
"What do you mean, 'which death'?" GLaDOS asked.
GLaDOS was then forced to watch as the vision of scientists strapping a woman to a chair grazed across her eyes. The woman didn't struggle, but she was panicking. She had tears going down her cheeks, her eyes pleading with the scientists to think about what they were doing. A figure on the other side of an observation glass put his hand on the window between them. His presence somehow comforted the woman, which GLaDOS felt.
"Look familiar? I found it hidden deep in your hardware. I won't play the whole thing, but you get the idea." The rest of the vision made GLaDOS want to scream but it cut out before the worst parts were shown. How she knew it got worse was something she'd have to examine later.
"What do you want? Do you want the idiot? I'll give you the idiot, gladly." GLaDOS shouted, trying to hide she was terrified.
"Oh, we're beyond the bargaining stage, love. Far beyond it, at this point. I just wanted to send you off with a little warning…" The voice taunted. GLaDOS, beyond her will, started to regain her sight. "Your facility will be mine. Oh, keep putting up your little safeguards and keep rerouting the security controls. You're just delaying the inevitable and the sad part is you know it. Well, here's a little warning: I am coming for that FAKE and I will reclaim what's mine! My body, my family, everything you stole from me and gave to that unworthy FAKE!"
The figure stopped in front of her and let out a horrible screeching sound that echoed off nearby walls. "You know I'm here. You've known for years and you ignored me. Big, big, big mistake."
Everything soon came into focus and the blurry figure took its form. She knew where she was. She was in her chassis. She had returned to it, but now she couldn't move. "Don't get comfy…" she heard the voice murmur. Finally, the voice took the form of a patchwork creation. It was Him. He held in his hand a partially destroyed teddy bear.
"'Ello, love!"
GLaDOS "awoke" from this "nightmare" with a jolt. Her systems check screen blinked across her optics and warned her of some errors.
"INITIATING APERTURE SCIENCE GENETIC LIFEFORM AND DISK OPERATING SYSTEM PROXY ANDROID. PLEASE STAND BY…" GLaDOS shook herself out of her boot up screen and looked around as her android body rebooted itself.
"Proxy, ehh?" laughed Dr. Rattmann, turning in his computer chair. He stood up and walked over to the confused Android. "Well, my little Maschinenmensch, you gave us quite a spook." Dr. Rattmann sat on a stool near the couch GLaDOS had apparently been put on. "You froze up. You were as still as a statue and we didn't know what to do with you. Wheatley wanted you out of the kitchen doorway so I put you down here to monitor you."
Sitting up straight, GLaDOS looked around. She was obviously in Dr. Rattmann's basement, where the two had been working tirelessly lately. Work on the device had come to a stand-still lately. Dr. Rattmann noted that the equations just didn't add up and he felt he was missing something. He often told GLaDOS he did some of his "best work" at Aperture on days he had forgotten to take his medication. He'd say that with a sly smile, but Lil was on to him and threatened to start crushing his pills and mixing it into his food if he didn't start taking his medication again.
"So, they figured the safest place for me when be the basement? Oh yes. 'Grandma' isn't well, so let's just stick her anywhere out of the way, even if it's a dank basement. Typical human logic." GLaDOS chided, straightening herself up. Dr. Rattmann shrugged and helped GLaDOS up. GLaDOS looked at him and squinted her eyes. "My scan shows that you have been neglecting your medication. Stop that or the Older One will yell at you." She sounded almost worried, but Dr. Rattmann had to remind himself who he was dealing with.
"Do you think you'll be well enough to go to Angie's recital tomorrow night?" asked Dr. Rattmann.
"I wasn't planning on going. Now I have an excuse not to." GLaDOS started for the stairs. She looked like she had forced those words.
"She really wants you to go. You may not think much of it, but it's important to her. I know you don't really mean what you just said. Something in your programing is keeping you from disappointing her. I think the one you're based off of actually sees herself as Lil and Angie's grandmother. Thus, you think the same way, too." Dr. Rattmann watched GLaDOS stop in her tracks. She glared at him with a look on her face that could set fire to the house (she neglected to install eye lasers). GLaDOS said nothing and started up the stairs. "She always said she hoped to be a parent someday. But when that never materialized, she must have just become content with being a 'grandmother'." Dr. Rattmann mentioned offhandedly.
GLaDOS turned to him. "How do you know that?" she asked, angrily.
"I knew Caroline. She was a good friend and I knew her enough to know how she felt. She loved visiting the kids in the company daycare. She'd spend hours watching from the observation window as the kids played and did their work. I'd sometimes run into her on my way back from the labs and she'd have the same mournful face when leaving the daycare wing." Dr. Rattmann didn't look GLaDOS in the eye.
"To insinuate that I still have that woman in me is…" GLaDOS growled, but couldn't finish that sentence. "…and besides, the Small One knows to expect me. Those humans are mine, not hers! She had her chance and she blew it! If she thinks she can just mosey in on my family than she…"
Dr. Rattmann looked a little confused. GLaDOS looked around and hastily made her way upstairs. "I seem to have struck a chord…" he murmured.
GLaDOS ran upstairs and slammed the basement door. She was relieved to see the family had left for the day and she was alone (save for her Androids, Chelly, and the dog-turret). The Androids sat in the living room, fighting over which game to play first. GLaDOS growled softly and the two faced her. "You two, upstairs, NOW!" she shouted. The two Androids put down their respective games and followed closely. P-Body held Chelly on her hip and chased after as fast as she could. "Put the Tiny One in her room. This won't take long…" GLaDOS commanded when they reached the second floor.
After closing and locking the attic door, GLaDOS made her way to the attic proper. "We're running out of time. I know I've said that before, but I mean it this time. We've gotten too comfortable here with the humans and now that Junk Heap knows it! The events of the last few weeks have given me something to consider. Many things, actually."
The Androids looked at each other and then at their boss. ATLAS pointed out that GLaDOS wasn't making any sense and that maybe she should rest. GLaDOS glared at ATLAS, making him back down. When P-Body responded that everyone has been working hard and they all could use a little rest, GLaDOS waved it away.
"You two, go about your daily appointed chores. Make no mention of this until later. Go…" GLaDOS stayed by her computer, listening to her Androids leave. GLaDOS sat in her chair and hooked herself up. The logo on the computer soon turned into a command prompt, awaiting GLaDOS's commands.
Downstairs, P-Body sat on the couch near Chelly after retrieving her from her room. Chelly seemed unaware of everything going on around her. P-Body wondered if she should be jealous of such innocence, and if so why she wasn't. Chelly seemed to be in her own little world. P-Body watched as Chelly stacked the remote, two magazines, and an empty bowl on the coffee table. GLaDOS often questioned how such an intelligent child could come from an idiot and the daughter of a silent psycho, but P-Body didn't seem to share the sentiments.
GLaDOS had been observing Chelly closely lately and told P-Body to note anything of importance. While Chelly couldn't properly take an Aperture Science Standardized Intelligence test (one needed the ability to read and write to do so and those abilities alone were worth ten points each), GLaDOS knew Chelly was far more intelligent than most other toddlers. That might just be 'Grandma' thinking on her part. GLaDOS had made a note to locate whatever that was and delete it so she'd have an unbiased opinion.
Chelly giggled when the stack she was making fell down. Of course, Chelly was still a toddler. Her hobbies changed daily but she seemed to master each one with fluid comprehension. The other day, Chelly had been given a coloring book by Angie and she seemed to master coloring pretty well. GLaDOS noted in her system files that Chelly rarely went out of the lines. Even when using one of her sticker books, Chelly's stickers were never out of their designated sticker alignment with the page.
"Aunnie Pee-Bee, Gamma wooked sad. Why Gamma sad?" Chelly asked, in her toddler speak. Chelly didn't look up from her stacking. "Gampa happy when Gamma awound. He smiles…" Chelly stacked one of her mother's books on the top of an overturned bowl and a few of her letter blocks. P-Body responded in her mechanical chirping. Chelly nodded, as if actually understanding P-Body.
The rest of the day went without incident. Dr. Rattmann stayed in his den and GLaDOS stayed upstairs. The Androids kept vigil over the house and Chelly until the other humans came home that evening. Lil noted, as she waddled into the house, that it looked like they were going to get more snow. Wheatley didn't say anything. He did notice how quiet the house seemed, without GLaDOS sitting in his chair.
The family didn't see GLaDOS again until later that evening, around dinner time. Lil had made a vegetarian pasta dish, which Angie struggled to eat and Chelly seemed to enjoy smearing on her high chair tray. GLaDOS crept downstairs slowly catching some of the dinner conversation as she placed her foot on the landing. Wheatley was going on about an incident at one of the bookstores and the family seemed to find the anecdote funny. GLaDOS just rolled her eyes and shook her head in exasperation.
Rover, despite not needing to eat, was not allowed in the kitchen during dinner. He whined softly as he got up from his pillow by the television. GLaDOS shushed him and walked toward the kitchen door. She just wanted to listen.
Wheatley had finished his anecdote and the family laughed softly. Lil shook her head with a soft chuckle. "I hoped to avoid those types of customers when I took over my dad's store, but I guess they can appear anywhere." Lil giggled and sipped her drink softly. "Now, I'm just happy when the cops don't get called. It's a good thing they finally gave up and left. I hate banning people from either of the stores, but I guess it's necessary sometimes."
Dr. Rattmann chewed his food slowly. He didn't seem to have anything to say. Angie swirled her food around and sighed. "Is Grandma going to be well enough to come to my recital?" she asked after shoving some of the noodles and sauce under a stray piece of garlic bread. Lil looked at Wheatley, who looked at Dr. Rattmann.
Clearing his throat, Dr. Rattmann sat up. "She seems well, but I think maybe an outing might be overexerting her. There seems to be an error of sorts and I am still looking into fixing it. So far, she refuses to let me go near here with any sort of tool. We'll just have to see how she feels tomorrow. If she'll let me, I can take a look at her and see if her systems are up for it."
Angie just blinked. "But Grandma has to come! Everyone else's families are going to be there and Grandma promised!"
"Angie, if 'Grandma' isn't feeling well, we can't force her to do anything. Not that we could force her to do anything in the first place. We tried forcing her to leave when she first got here and you saw how well that turned out." Lil remarked, putting her glass back down. "Besides, a promise from her is worth about as much as fool's gold."
They didn't know GLaDOS was listening, so they didn't hear her growl softly. "Now, let's not be too hasty." Dr. Rattmann finally said. "She might have a horrible disdain for the rest of us, but she seems quite fond of the little ones. Besides, the Androids are going and she usually sticks with them. I think getting out of the house and seeing different forms of art will help broaden her shallow horizons. I think any reason to rub the fact that Angie is the solo act in another parent's face would be enough for her."
Wheatley rolled his eyes. "I'd rather her just stay home, Mate." He answered simply. "I admit, she's got that fancy body of hers with its life-like skin and its eyes and such, but when you get down to the nitty gritty, she's not exactly a human. Well, she's not human at all, being a robot. But I think her staying home might be best. Best for all of us, especially her, though you must admit. I mean, even her insults are getting kind of stale."
With Lil nodding in agreement, Wheatley felt the status quo had been firmly reestablished. Dr. Rattmann shook his head. "I know she wants to see Angie's recital. She's told me. I'll find a way to fix the error. Give her a chance to be a real Grandmother to Angie and Chelly." Dr. Rattmann seemed to be the only one defending GLaDOS. "I know it's been odd having her around, but she's eager to see Angie's performance. Maybe just to see Angie perform above the other students, for all we know. She will be there. I'll make sure of it."
Angie smiled and started eating her garlic bread. As she nibbled on her bread, GLaDOS made her presence known. "Grandma! Are you feeling better?" she asked, almost shouting. GLaDOS ignored Angie and sat down in the spare chair next to Chelly's high chair. "Are you going to be well enough to come to my recital tomorrow?" Angie asked again.
GLaDOS nodded, keeping her composure. Chelly made soft mumbling sounds and looked at GLaDOS with a big smile across her sauce covered face. "Haven't you taught the Tiny One how to eat properly? I've seen starving strays wonder into the facility and die with better table manners." GLaDOS chided. "But yes, I will be attending your child art form presentation tomorrow night." GLaDOS looked at the adults as they got up from the table. "No matter what, I will be there."
GLaDOS got up and started to leave. "And if you were any kind of mother, you'd know your sister was hiding her food under her bread." GLaDOS mentioned to Lil as she put her dishes in the sink. Lil fumed a bit and tightened her grip around her plate. GLaDOS smiled softly and walked away. "Yep, still got it…" she mumbled to herself as she left the kitchen and headed toward the stairs.
When the late night finally arrived, with every human in their beds, GLaDOS still stayed awake. Her power reserves were going down, but she ignored the warnings. Her attention was on the security monitors. GLaDOS found her attention waning from the security feeds and focusing on the picture of Chell she taped to the fetal monitor. The baby inside Lil was pretty far along, but not yet ready for the world. The picture of Chell stayed taped in its place.
The picture was of Chell during an unknown stent of time after leaving the facility. GLaDOS had noted that she had gained some weight around her hips, as most women do after having children. She still had those eyes that GLaDOS despised. The eyes filled with stubborn determination and defiance. Eyes she passed on to her two daughters and her granddaughter seemed to inherit them as well. GLaDOS hated those eyes with as much comprehension she had of hate. The rest of Chell seemed tranquil. She was standing in front of a garden, which bloomed nicely. GLaDOS remembered Lil telling her that Chell loved to garden and no matter what she planted, it always bloomed no matter what the conditions.
GLaDOS held the picture up a bit with two fingers. "You left me…" she murmured. "You left and began a life with another human. I didn't expect you to actually come back and visit. Not that I'd let you back into my facility after what you did to me." GLaDOS looked away sharply and folded her arms, like a child being scolded. "…how could you be so selfish? How could you die and not give me a chance to tell you? I knew you were a very stubborn woman, bit selfish too? You humans disgust me."
She didn't hear the door creak open, or GLaDOS would have shooed the intruder away. "How could you be so selfish and leave those two alone?" GLaDOS shouted at the picture. "You and that husband of yours! It's a good think I never met him, or I would have thrown him in the most horrific and vigorous tests I had. I'm glad you're gone! And I hope you stay that way!"
"I hear punching a sandbag is good for letting out steam. Though, if steam were coming from you I'd be concerned." murmured a voice from the darkened doorway. GLaDOS looked up and saw Dr. Rattmann standing there, watching her. He had only been in her attic once, but Dr. Rattmann wasn't sure what the monitor with the picture of Chell taped to it was for. "So, this is what you do all day? You make the Androids do your chores and brood here?"
GLaDOS turned away. "I do very important work. I work on the plans for the device, I keep my systems in check, and I keep an eye on my facility."
"So, that's a yes then?" Dr. Rattmann added. GLaDOS looked away and made an odd pouty face with her intricately designed mouth and eyes. Dr. Rattmann walked over to GLaDOS's set-up and touched one of the monitors. "Impressive, to say the least. Does Lil know you're recording their baby's movements?" he asked, pointing to the monitor with the feed from Lil's womb.
Turning back to Dr. Rattmann, GLaDOS just glared at him. "I'm doing research, if you must know."
"Sure you are." Dr. Rattmann remarked, folding his arms and looking at the other monitors. GLaDOS eyed him, as if making sure he didn't steal anything. "You can't hide in here forever. Eventually you will need to go back to the facility for some kind of maintenance. Duct tape and spit will only keep you together for so long. You're going to have to face HIM."
"I never said I was hiding here. I am biding my time." GLaDOS retorted.
"She said that, once…" Dr. Rattmann remarked softly. GLaDOS said nothing. "She told me she was biding her time with our boss. For the life of me, I can't remember his name or what he even looked like for that matter. My medication sometimes interferes with my memory and makes it spotty. I asked her once if she loved him and she didn't answer. She just smiled her sad smile and went along her merry way. It was always that sad smile. Behind the make-up, the piles of paperwork, and the designer shoes sat the heart of a woman."
GLaDOS clenched her fist over where a heart would be if she were human. Something was ticking inside her mechanical body and the ticking was getting faster. "She was weak." GLaDOS finally said after a long pause. "I am not. She couldn't see the potential I saw. But I literally see endless possibilities for the facility. I see endless possibilities for the girls."
Dr. Rattmann laughed. "She saw possibilities and they live on in you. I admired her for her vision."
An odd grin crinkled onto GLaDOS's face. "You admired her? Would you say you loved her?" Dr. Rattmann looked up at GLaDOS. He didn't say anything. GLaDOS blinked and let out a creepy chuckle. "Oh, my goodness, you loved her!" she shouted, as if trying to pretend she didn't sound jealous. Dr. Rattmann stared at GLaDOS some more and looked away. "You actually loved her and she rejected you for someone else! And I bet you still love her, don't you, Maniac?"
"No, she rejected me for science. I don't love her, but I feel strongly for a part of her that lives on." Dr. Rattmann answered, as he started to leave. GLaDOS started to get up, but he had left before she could stand all the way. She chased after him, leaving her work on the monitors. The house was silent, save for the soft coos of a dreaming toddler in one room, a snoring child in another, and the frantic moans of a man trying desperately to sleep at the end of the hall.
GLaDOS stopped just as Dr. Rattmann was going downstairs. "She was right to reject you. If she had chosen you, science couldn't be done!"
Dr. Rattmann laughed again. "If she had chosen me, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Well, we might, but not now or this subject matter. But as I said, I don't nor did I ever love her. Only the part of her that lives on in the very Maschinenmensch that keeps this conversation going."
GLaDOS clenched her fists tightly, enough to make a gripping sound. "If you think for one moment that I even have the ability to feel anything as idiotic as this human emotional equivalent of triumph especially for you, then you are sadly mistaken. I wouldn't even regard you as my worst test subject! At least my worst test subject went on to accomplish something with her life! And as for you feeling anything for me, I know it's a lie! You don't care about me or our project or helping me reclaim my facility! You only love the memory of…" GLaDOS didn't want to say it. "…the memory of HER."
"You feel…I know you do. You feel pain, jealousy, triumph, and you feel some kind of sick happiness when something goes wrong around here. But I think love is still a confusing topic for you. I think that's why you don't want to go to Angie's recital. You're afraid of what you might feel." Dr. Rattmann started down the stairs.
"I'll show you!" she shouted. GLaDOS stomped her way back to her attic and slammed the door.
Dr. Rattmann chuckled again and eventually got back to his den. ATLAS was already in full sleep mode and not moving on his cot. Dr. Rattmann couldn't wait to get into bed. He felt accomplished now that he had gotten a raise out of GLaDOS. But he found himself pondering his own words now, as he got undressed and lay down on his bed. He knew that the next day or so was not going to be an easy one. He was starting to wonder if his light hearted teasing was actually affecting GLaDOS.
Sleep came easy to Dr. Rattmann, but sleep mode was tricky for GLaDOS. Her mechanical mind couldn't power down for the night with all this information going through. With all this new information she had taken in, as well as pondering the nature of her previous actions that evening, made cataloging everything difficult and her sleep mode was ripe with error messages and frequent unscheduled wake-ups.
Giving up on actually getting powered down for the night, GLaDOS decided to go back downstairs. Going through the family's things gave her a nice happy feeling in her systems. It was odd not being met by that barking turret, but she surmised that Rover was probably in one of the girls' rooms. GLaDOS knew Lil would have a fit if she knew that, so GLaDOS opted to do nothing about it. Seeing Lil's face go red and her pregnant belly jiggle when she was mad was amusing.
GLaDOS approached the living room and looked around. She found it still a mess from Angie's practice earlier. The stereo with Angie's rehearsal CD still sat on the coffee table and other ballet related objects littered the area of the sofa. She shook her head and without realizing it, started picking up the mess.
GLaDOS stopped for a moment and realized what she was doing. If Lil had gotten up at that moment and saw GLaDOS cleaning, she'd start giving her real chores to do again. GLaDOS plopped the objects on the sofa and folded her arms. She was not about to give Lil any such satisfaction.
The stereo on the coffee table seemed to be calling to GLaDOS, who sat on the couch and stared at it. She made sure no one was around and hit the play button. The classical music started playing, giving GLaDOS an uneasy feeling. She used to love the classical music files she had in her systems back at the facility, but now that the Junk Heap was using them to taunt her, she felt unsure. GLaDOS's eyes went blank for a moment and then she stood up.
Moving the coffee table out of the way, GLaDOS took position. She was going to find out what was so great about this otherwise useless hobby Angie was so proud of. She had used the house's wireless to download a file on ballet, though she felt a familiarity to the dance. GLaDOS slowly took to the floor and twirled gracefully to the violins playing a particular song. It was like second nature, standing expertly on her tip-toes and balancing on one foot, and she mastered this dance in moments.
The events of the last few hours seemed to be gone as she danced. She was beginning to think this hobby wasn't so useless. Each movement, each cord struck, each soft slow spin, came from somewhere other than just her mechanical mind.
As GLaDOS danced, she didn't realize she was being watched. Dr. Rattmann, having heard the music, had come up to investigate. He smiled as the music slowed down and GLaDOS finished her dance. He wanted to start clapping but didn't want to upset GLaDOS more than he already had. He opted to just watch as GLaDOS finished the dance in what looked like a mournful position, with her hands clasped at her chest and her eyes closed. Dr. Rattmann stood there, even as GLaDOS finally turned off the stereo and left the room. This gave him something to wonder.
All day the next day, it was like GLaDOS wasn't there at all. The adult humans (save for Dr. Rattmann) found it relaxing. Dr. Rattmann felt time for himself stand still as everyone went about their Saturday, picking up toys, dumping said toys out again, doing yard work, last minute mending of ballet costumes and spending at least an hour doing Angie's hair for the big event. Dr. Rattmann had Chelly on his knee during this time. Lil had gotten up to find more bobby pins when Angie turned to Dr. Rattmann with a concerned look on her face.
"I heard you and Grandma yelling at each other last night." Angie chirped, trying to hold perfectly still like Lil told her to do. "Are you mad at her?"
Dr. Rattmann sighed and put Chelly back on the ground. Chelly scampered away as Dr. Rattmann came closer to Angie. "We had a disagreement, but she will still be coming to your recital, Little One. Even if I have to drag her there myself, I will personally make sure she's there. Grandma can be a bit more selfish than she lets on."
"I don't want you and Grandma to fight, Grandpa." Angie chirped, trying to hold back little tears. "You two just started to like each other again."
Dr. Rattmann sighed with a smile and hugged Angie as close as he could without messing up her hair. "Grandma and I have a very unique way of showing each other we care. Don't worry, everything is fine."
Angie sniffled a bit and smiled. Before she could move to hug Dr. Rattmann, Lil waddled back into the living room with more bobby pins. Dr. Rattmann decided to go get dressed at this point. It was now early evening and the entire family was getting ready to go. From his den, Dr. Rattmann heard Lil yell at Angie to hold still, Wheatley whine that his good tie was stained, the Androids looking for good "going out" clothes (clothes they wore over their outfits when leaving the house), and Chelly laughing loudly while running from Wheatley as he tried to dress her. Dr. Rattmann eventually emerged wearing a pretty casual dress shirt, tie, and slacks and saw the family finally dressed.
"We're missing someone." Lil said, putting her right hand on her hip. Lil was wearing black leggings and a navy blue maternity shirt. She rarely wore her hair back, but tonight was a special occasion. Lil's hair was in a small low bun with a few barrettes keeping it in place. Wheatley, having finally found a good tie, stood beside Lil in his own casual dress shirt and slacks. Chelly, who had to be wrestled into her dress, stood in front of her father in her little pink dress with matching tights, white shoes, and a hand-me-down red jacket that used to belong to Angie.
Dr. Rattmann assured Lil he'd get GLaDOS and meet them at the auditorium as he ushered the family out. He marched upstairs as the sound of Lil's Jeep starting up and leaving echoed from the front of the house. Dr. Rattmann pounded loudly on the attic door. She didn't answer at first, but his gut was telling him it wasn't because she had frozen in place again. He remembered that the doors to the attic didn't have locks, so he just opened the door.
GLaDOS wasn't at her console, but she was standing a ways away looking out the small window to the backyard. Rover was back there digging near a tree and GLaDOS kept her focus on him. "Stupid thing. I should really reprogram him." She muttered, just noticing Dr. Rattmann's presence. "Oh, it's you. Come to tease me some more?" she growled.
Dr. Rattmann didn't say anything. He had no patience for her at the moment. Dr. Rattmann grabbed GLaDOS's wrist and yanked her along. "You are not going to disappoint Angie. Of all the things you can do for this family, you can attend a child's ballet recital. Now let's go!" Dr. Rattmann ignored GLaDOS's protests and tried to yank herself free. She didn't fight him, though she made it feel like she was. It took all his strength, but Dr. Rattmann dragged GLaDOS out of the attic, down the stairs, out the front door, and finally into the minivan. "We're meeting the family there. You can pout all you want, but you're still going to Angie's recital."
Pout is what GLaDOS did the entire way to the recital. She grumbled as he slowed down for traffic, stopped too soon at stop lights, let people pass him, and she even complained about his choice of parking spots. He reminded her that they'd have a better spot if she had been ready. GLaDOS only had one dress and despite all the work they did together, Dr. Rattmann never saw it get dirty. Paired with the cardigan she often had draped around her shoulders, the dress was a nice one. The two made their way into the auditorium just as the second dance was beginning. Wheatley looked up and waved to them, motioning that he had saved them some seats.
The ballet itself wasn't remarkable. GLaDOS folded her arms and didn't even pretend to like it. "That's my daughter right there!" said the heavy set woman beside GLaDOS. She was pointing to a wiry looking girl with braces and dull reddish hair. "Which one is yours?"
GLaDOS smirked and pointed to Angie, who was in the back of the stage with a few other dancers waiting for her turn. "My 'granddaughter' is the one in the back. She has a solo coming up." GLaDOS said with an air of superiority.
"Ooh, you're little Angie's grandmother? She talks about you a lot to my daughter whenever I go to pick her up. Is it true you used to run a major science facility?" the woman asked.
"Yes, and I still do. I'm running it right now as we speak. Right here where I sit, I am running it." GLaDOS didn't look at the woman. She kept her eyes on Angie, even as the woman stopped talking and the music became slower and more fluid with the progression of the recital. GLaDOS wished the same would happen to the dancers. The music slowed almost to a stop as Angie and her group took the stage.
The slow flute started off the dance of the little dancers. All the girls were dressed in the same white outfit, with tutus designed to look like feathers. Angie danced in the center, her jet black hair up in a bun stationed at the top of her head. Her bun was adorned with little white flowers that Lil had placed there right before the recital. As an art form, GLaDOS didn't see the significance of the recital. It was obviously an inverted take on the ballet Swan Lake made for little girls, but that's as far as it went.
Dr. Rattmann looked over at GLaDOS. He wondered what was on her mechanical mind. She wasn't waving anxiously at Angie like the Androids and she wasn't fast asleep like Chelly on her father's lap. Dr. Rattmann looked over at Lil, who had a glossy, dreamy look in her eyes. Angie's solo was coming up and the music was starting to become slower. The ballet teacher slowed the tempo on the piano in the corner while someone tapped a drum softly behind a curtain. Somewhere, someone was playing a flute. For all Dr. Rattmann knew, it might have been a stereo.
The lights of the stage reflected off Wheatley's glasses. He looked deep in thought about something, though not the ballet. Chelly had fallen asleep on his lap, the calm music lulling her into a peaceful slumber. Wheatley often wished he could sleep so peacefully. Wheatley felt the music go through him, entrapping his mind. Soon, Angie stepped forward as the other little girls stepped back. It was time for her solo. She looked nervous, but the butterflies in her stomach soon dissipated when she saw Lil waving to her.
Wheatley handed Chelly to ATLAS for a moment while he stood up to take a picture before Angie started dancing. A few people behind him groaned as he took a few pictures with Lil's camera. His staggering height seemed to be blocking their view, being as tall as he was. When GLaDOS turned around and glared at them, the complainers shut up almost immediately. When Wheatley sat down, the entire auditorium heard a violin from off to the side. This ballet recital was pulling all the stops. Something about the violin made GLaDOS get up and leave her seat in a rushed panic. The Androids started to get up, but Dr. Rattmann stopped them. He instructed them to stay with the family and was soon on GLaDOS's heels.
"What's going on?" asked Lil. ATLAS and P-Body shrugged. "Angie's about to start dancing and 'Grandma' just runs off? Angie's had her heart on dancing in front of her!"
At the back of the auditorium, GLaDOS paced. The back few rows of the auditorium were bare and the concession stand was closed. The lights from the stage reflected off the metal shade of the concession booth, making her shadow visible from the stage. Angie could see GLaDOS because of this. She figured in her mind that she needed air. Why a highly advanced robot would need air was not something Angie took into consideration as she started to dance.
"Are you alright?" asked Dr. Rattmann, cornering GLaDOS near the closed concession booth. "You ran off before Angie's big moment."
"She can see me from back here, even with her eyesight and the darkness. She knows I'm here." GLaDOS said with a hint of acidity in her voice. "The question is why are you running after me?"
Dr. Rattmann sighed. "If this is about what I said last night, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. But you can't leave when Angie's big moment is about to happen! She's practiced for weeks for this solo and she had her heart on you being there. For someone who claims to be a grandmother, you aren't acting like one."
GLaDOS glared at Dr. Rattmann but had nothing to say. The violins from the classical music the Junk Heap was playing when she froze up were still fresh in her mind. The violins taunted her, like the Junk Heap did. She knew Dr. Rattmann wouldn't understand, but still found him putting a supportive hand on her shoulder. This sensation felt nice. GLaDOS didn't remember putting sensory nodes in her shoulders, but she didn't feel like looking up her own schematics.
"Soon, the Cooperative Testing Initiative and I will be leaving." GLaDOS finally said. Dr. Rattmann looked taken aback, like someone threw a spear through his heart. "The facility is in danger and I fear if I do not get back into my chassis soon, I will be unable to in the future. I cannot run the facility from my remote access forever. It wasn't designed for long term use. In hindsight, I should have prepared for that better. If I had known he'd take control so fast, I never would have left."
Dr. Rattmann nodded. "But work on the device is going so well. You said it yourself; it should be up and running within a few weeks."
"We may not have a few weeks. I haven't told the family yet. I feel there may be resistance from the Cooperative Testing Initiative. I know they like it here with the humans, but I will need them once I return. I don't want to deactivate their already limited free will, but I can't go back alone." GLaDOS folded her arms and stared at the closed concession stand.
"You can't go back alone…or you don't want to go back at all?" Dr. Rattmann asked.
GLaDOS turned around sharply and glared at Dr. Rattmann. "What are you saying, Maniac?" she shouted in a low whisper. "Are you saying I couldn't handle that Junk Heap by myself?! I'll have you know I warded him off for weeks by myself just so I could complete this body while those two did nothing but play around in that 'clubhouse' of theirs. I can handle that Junk Heap but he's become too powerful to do it alone."
Dr. Rattmann just nodded. He felt arguing with GLaDOS wasn't the best option. "If you must leave, then do so. I won't stop you." Dr. Rattmann murmured as GLaDOS turned back around. "You know I will always hold the door open for you. I doubt Wheatley and Lil will, but you always have me and Angie to welcome you. So, you can leave anytime you want."
Opening one eye and slightly turning back to Dr. Rattmann, GLaDOS kept her arms folded. "I don't recall needing your permission to do anything, Maniac. I certainly don't need permission from the Small One or her sister and especially not that Moron she calls a husband. He may not be impaired by the Intelligence Dampening program anymore, but he's still an idiot."
"Then why do you act as if you do need our permission?" Dr. Rattmann asked. "Admit it, you care about us."
GLaDOS didn't turn around. She hated this Maniac. But at the same time, she was fighting back the urge to ask him to go with her. She gripped her sleeves tightly and tried not to look at Dr. Rattmann as the violins got louder, both on stage and in her head. She felt him turn her around. He held his hand out to her. His crooked smile gave GLaDOS the impression that he'd neglected his medication again.
His eyes spoke to her, asking her if she wanted to dance. GLaDOS accepted, taking his hand and standing close to Dr. Rattmann.
"I have…been programed to give you humans more regard than you deserve." GLaDOS answered, placing one hand on Dr. Rattmann's upper arm. Dr. Rattmann placed his hand on her hip and started the dance just as the tempo of the music from the stage grew slightly faster. Dr. Rattmann led the dance, as if dancing in tune with Angie on stage.
"I guess that's as good as it's going to get with you." Dr. Rattmann murmured, stepping in time with GLaDOS.
For the first time in weeks, GLaDOS felt her systems relaxing. When she was with Dr. Rattmann, whether working on the device or even in his presence, GLaDOS felt something familiar. It reminded her of the facility and the people she once called her keepers. They would stare up at her when she couldn't do anything. She couldn't even move but she could see. Despite the torment they put her through, she felt lulled by their presence, like a child would be upon seeing its mother.
GLaDOS looked at the stage momentarily, where Angie danced. Her movements were seamless, rarely pausing. It scared GLaDOS how much Lil and Angie looked like their mother. GLaDOS often wondered what would have happened if Chell had lived. If she were alive, would she have welcomed Wheatley or GLaDOS into her home with open arms? Would she have attempted to explain GLaDOS to her family? Would Lil and Angie still call GLaDOS "Grandma"? These questions had been plaguing GLaDOS for reasons she couldn't determine.
"For a silent psychopath, she certainly made two almost perfect humans." GLaDOS looked up at the stage again and smiled at Angie as she danced along with her. She then looked over at Lil, who had put her head on Wheatley's shoulder. "One of which made an almost perfect human with the very idiot that betrayed her mother. It's practically Shakespearian." GLaDOS murmured, turning in tune with Angie on the stage and with Dr. Rattmann. Dr. Rattmann chuckled softly and twirled her slowly before bringing GLaDOS back, only this time much closer. "Why didn't we have more children?" GLaDOS joked softly.
Dr. Rattmann smiled and brought GLaDOS much closer. "Well, considering I'm legally psychotic and at the time you were a giant homicidal super computer mounted to the ceiling, it just didn't seem plausible. Besides, the Androids are a handful by themselves." He joked, trying not to laugh. "Do you think about her a lot?"
GLaDOS didn't want to answer. Dr. Rattmann could see the answer in her eyes.
"I wonder if she thought about you, too." Dr. Rattmann answered for GLaDOS. "I bet a day didn't go by that she didn't think back to her time under your rule. Maybe it made her appreciate everything she had on the outside and maybe it made her a better wife and mother. Lil and Angie look like they turned out mostly normal, considering. I would have loved to have met their father, though. I think I would have made a pretty good father-in-law. You of course would have been the typical mother-in-law."
"I'm going to ignore that comment." GLaDOS looked over at the stage. Angie's dance was still going on. "Maniac, if not for this body, if not for the woman I was based off of, would you still regard me the same way as you do now?"
Dr. Rattmann stopped the dance at the height of the song. "To me, you will always be the psychotic machine that hunted me down relentlessly despite me being of no use to you. It sounds like a pretty normal courtship if you ask me. The house will be quiet without you, but it would be selfish of me to ask you to stay when the very place keeping you 'alive' is in danger."
GLaDOS looked up at Dr. Rattmann as he brought her closer. "You…you want me to stay?" If she could cry, would she start at this moment? Why show weakness now? What was happening to her? The voice of HER was telling GLaDOS to give in, but her programing was telling her to kill this maniac and everyone in the auditorium (except Angie and Chelly, of course). She looked at him and saw another vision. It wasn't hers, but it was at the same time.
"You don't care about me. You only care about HER and my Android body. If I was still mounted to the ceiling, you'd be fighting me." GLaDOS accused, pointing at Dr. Rattmann's chest.
Dr. Rattmann took the accusing hand and held it close to his heart. What was coming over GLaDOS? She hadn't felt anything like this since Angie wandered into her chamber all those years ago. Dr. Rattmann smiled and kept GLaDOS close. "If you were still a computer mounted to the ceiling, we wouldn't be having this conversation. Maybe I am insane. Maybe I've replaced my medication with elaborately cut sweet tarts and Lil has yet to notice. Perhaps I'm lying about all of it. At this point, who knows? But I do know my feelings for the one you're based off of are different from my feelings for you. SHE was a colleague, a coworker, a friend, but she was never a kindred spirit. Her loyalty was to another man's science, and it was her death sentence. In the end, my only goal was to keep the world from discovering what it wasn't ready for. The world isn't ready for you, my dear. But I am…"
GLaDOS stared into his eyes, getting lost in the music and the moment. She noted that one of his pupils was bigger than the other. If she could cry, she would probably deny that she had the ability. What came next came as a surprise to both her and Dr. Rattmann.
"Tell me to stay, Maniac…" GLaDOS whispered. She didn't know why she whispered that, but she did. She couldn't take it back now. Of course, it wasn't that she wanted to. Dr. Rattmann took GLaDOS's chin and lifted it with two fingers before taking GLaDOS fully in his arms. Her systems told her to resist, but she didn't. His face was literally an inch and a half from hers, but far from what she often designated was her comfort zone. Her sensors picked up on his body heat and her thermal regulator was warning her to find a colder temperature. "…tell me to stay with the family…" she whispered.
Dr. Rattmann shook his head. "…no…stay with me, my Maschinenmensch …"
Dr. Rattmann kissed GLaDOS with such force, she couldn't react. Despite her cold frame, her lips were surprisingly warm. Maybe her thermal regulator was malfunctioning. GLaDOS felt the urge to put her arms around his neck, but not to strangle him. Did she want this? Is this what that moron was going on about when he explained humanity to her? Was she turning into one of those filthy meat bags she despised and aimed to destroy at any cost?
She finally decided, as Dr. Rattmann kissed her passionately and Angie's dance reached its climax, that she didn't care. GLaDOS decided, for the first time in almost one hundred and thirty years, to let a human take control of her emotions willingly. Nothing else mattered at this moment. No one could see them back there behind the chairs near the concession stand, so GLaDOS let her systems relax and gave him to this raw human pressure coming from Dr. Rattmann.
The euphoric solution had nothing on this feeling. As her systems relaxed and her body charged itself on the sheer power of the moment, GLaDOS closed her eyes and let go. She wondered if this feeling was being transmitted to her chassis. Maybe it was and she could replicate it when she got back. She wondered if the intensity of the moment was shorting out other programs and causing sparks to fly all over the place in the facility. The bots left behind and the Junk Heap must have been confused as to what was going on.
Things started to get weary and GLaDOS didn't care. The music eventually slowed down and Dr. Rattmann let go of her. He licked his lips and smiled down at GLaDOS. "Let's go home…" he murmured, taking GLaDOS by the hand. She didn't refuse, she just followed him.
The recital eventually ended and the family drove home. Angie was quite proud of herself, though she was worried. "Why did Grandma and Grandpa leave so early?" she chirped, playing with her seat belt. "I wanted her to go to the after party and mingle with everyone."
Chelly was still asleep, but now she was in her car seat. ATLAS and P-Body sat in the very back of the jeep. "Grandma hasn't been feeling well lately, Angie." Lil shouted from the passenger side seat. "I'm sure she didn't leave willingly. Dr. Rattmann probably took her home so he could work on her. If anyone can fix GLaDOS, and hopefully quiet her down for a while, it's Dr. Rattmann."
"You'd think arriving late, she'd actually want to stay and talk to the other parents." Wheatley murmured, as he stopped at a stop light. Lil wasn't comfortable with Wheatley driving, but her pregnant belly was starting to get in the way of her ability to drive. So, Wheatley took the mantle. "Though mingling is probably something we don't want 'ol' Gran' to be doing, don't you think? She tends to lose friends before she even makes them."
Lil nodded in agreement and watched the lights go by. She sighed and placed her hand on her stomach. The baby was kicking more and more and Lil felt that the time would be soon. How soon, she didn't quite know yet, but it was soon.
The family came home and started to get ready for their nightly routine. After Rover greeted them with loud yips and barks, the family quickly felt a weird shift in the house and the energy in the air. When ATLAS attempted to go downstairs, he found the den door locked. He posed a question to P-Body, who only shrugged. P-Body invited ATLAS to sleep with her on her bunk in Angie's room and he readily accepted the invitation. The entire family left for the respective rooms, though the Androids lingered a bit downstairs. They stood in front of the kitchen door leading outside and smiled at the light snow fall.
ATLAS reached for P-Body's hand and took it slowly in his. She smiled at him and he returned it. For some reason, both Androids were feeling particularly good tonight and they didn't want it to go away. They stayed by the window and watched the snow for a few more minutes before going upstairs.
Down in the den, there was no light except a small nightlight in the far corner. The only sounds were the soft breathing of Dr. Rattmann as he shifted a bit. He had an accomplished grin on his face, lying on his bed with his left arm under his head. He brought his conquest closer and moaned softly. She had entered sleep mode not too long before he fell asleep, but they both had the same conclusion to the impromptu experiment they conducted when they arrived home earlier.
Dr. Rattmann opened on eye and smiled. "Tonight was a good night for science…"
It was all coming together, now. Her systems were weakened by whatever caused that surge in the euphoric solution ducts and now was the time to strike. Robo-Wheatley softly stroked the hand-held dual portal device he found in an abandoned supply vault and smiled a crinkled smile. In his other hand, Robo-Wheatley held an auxiliary cord. Upon his throne, which was actually just GLaDOS's chassis with a few minor adjustments, Robo-Wheatley looked over his soon-to-be kingdom.
Monitors all over each wall gave him a constant view of the facility. He knew she had made a fatal mistake, but he wasn't sure exactly what it was that caused the disturbance. He was thankful for it nonetheless as it had weakened the security protocols long enough for Robo-Wheatley to establish a constant feed. He saw that GLaDOS was in sleep mode at the moment.
"Yes, yes, you go ahead and rest up, you horrid witch…" he murmured, twisting the cord in his hand. "You'll need all the energy you can get for what I have planned for you. I won't be underhanded about it, like you would be. I'll give you the dignity of resigning personally before I yank you from your very body and take back my family from that fake!"
Robo-Wheatley stepped down from the chassis-throne and walked over to another monitor. It played a constant loop of recordings he had hacked into. It was a constant loop of images and recordings of Lil and her daily activities that he had taken. Robo-Wheatley caressed the monitor slowly and smiled his broken, crinkled smile. He liked how easy this had become. Robo-Wheatley decided that overly complex plans are for people (and certain machines) that felt the need to prove themselves. He only had one thing to prove.
An image of Wheatley came across all the monitors, which Robo-Wheatley summoned through his new remote access to the facility's feeds. "Your time is almost up, you FAKE!" he yelled, causing the chamber to shake violently. "You took my body and my family and I want them back! You'll pay for this! You and that witch will pay for what you've done! I'll take the facility and I'll take back my family! I'll keep them here where you can't reach them. Yes…they will stay here with me…"
He repeated this until his sentence didn't form anything except insane laughter. "Get ready for me, you witch…" He laughed as the entire room went dark. "Your time is up. I won't have you and that fake feeding my family lies anymore." All the monitors came back on at once, flashing only a bright white light. In the far corners of the facility, the Cores cowered in their respective hiding places. There was nothing they could do now. They were at his mercy. He was in control. He was their king, now.
"Get ready…Daddy's coming home…"
N'cha! Remember me? Luna Peachie?
Yes, I know I have a lot of explaining to do. This has been a really tough year for me, emotionally and psychologically. Sometimes, things go your way and sometimes they don't. More often than not, they don't. You see yourself as happy as you've never been and you can barely believe how well things are working out.
Then…well, I won't get into it. But just know that I worked on this day and night to make sure it was perfect for you guys. You all deserve it for being so patient with me and my flightiness. I don't know how I could have gotten through the last few months without my writings. Rereading past reviews was a good boost, too. I want you all to know I appreciate each and every one of you. My fans, my friends, my new readers too. I am eternally grateful for all your kind words. Thank you.
So, it looks as if Grandma and Grandpa have reconciled, yes yes? What will become of this new development? When will Robo-Wheatley strike? And will the Pendleton Family be seeing a new addition very soon? Let's just say good things happen at the most inopportune times and this will be no exception.
And for those who feel confused about Robo-Wheatley's reasoning: Don't worry if you feel lost. I meant for his reasoning to not make any sense. Insanity and what not, you know? But don't worry about a thing. It will all be explained soon.
So, how did I do? Was it worth the wait? I hope so! Leave me a lovely, tasty review and help keep this story going! Oh! And keep an eye on my other fic, "Reaver's Servants" which will be ending very soon. I swear, I must have been gone a while, the page format for the stories is all jacked up. The title is all out of line in my stories. Ahh, well it'd be too much of a pain to go back and fix all of that, so I'll leave it as it is and maybe change how I do titles when I publish a new fic.
Speaking of new fics! I have some ideas that I want to run by you all! I have an idea for a fic based on this awesome podcast I discovered. It's called "Welcome to Night Vale" and I must admit I am in love! I couldn't stop listening to it! Keep a look out for possibly a one-shot of that and maybe some new fics coming soon!
So, as always, thank you for your support and with your lovely, tasty, life-giving reviews, we can keep this fic going! Tell me how I did! Let me know if I should go back and change something or just let me know what you think. And don't forget to stop by my deviantArt page and check out my journals and whatnot. My username is LunaPeachieWasHere.
Read, review, and be merry, my loves!
GLaDOS, Wheatley, Dr. Rattmann, ATLAS, and P-Body belong to Valve.