A/N: Hey guys! Hope you're all well. This chapter is a bit of a long one, so grab a snack, a drink and enjoy! Originally I was going to reply to some of your reviews and questions, but given the length of this chapter I'll be doing that in the next update instead. Anywho, I hope you like this latest chapter!

Chapter Five

An Archive Full of Memories

Memory Found. Begin Playback?

Play.

Caroline had graduated from college in the summertime, taking her degree in theoretical physics with her as she applied for a job at the most premier scientific facility the world had ever known - Black Mesa. She could remember her excitement as she had arrived, savouring the thought of working beside some of the greatest minds of a generation… only to then be faced with a soul-crushing disappointment: she was a woman, and no one hired women for their brains. She had marched away from the place with tears in her eyes. She didn't want to type or to file, or to answer the phone and sit in her chair looking vacant but pretty.

Three long and gruelling years of study and brilliance, of standing up for her right to education, and it had led to this. She didn't know why she hadn't anticipated this outcome.

Her parents had recently relocated to Michigan in the hopes of improving her father's business deals, and so Caroline found herself moving into their new home with them. Her two older sisters and brother had all continued with their lives; her sisters creating families of their own, whilst her brother had taken up an editorial position for a popular magazine. Yet here she was, the youngest of four, living with her parents as a complete failure.

As the weeks passed she applied for smaller jobs at much smaller laboratories, all of whom gave her the same answer as Black Mesa. Yet there was one name that did stand out as a constant title on her job-seeking lists: Aperture Science Innovators. She had heard of this name before, briefly, at college, but it was still a relatively new facility, and if what she had heard was true then the founder had done nothing but sell shower curtains before his transition into the sciences. How was that sound business sense? What did this Mr. Cave Johnson know about physics, chemistry or biology? Caroline disregarded their adverts for staff; even with the small chance that they may hire female scientists, just how long would it be until the company folded?

It had been her mother who had finally convinced her to take up a job in Aperture's administration.

"Just think, if the company does go under then at least you will have put some money aside." Her mother suggested one evening, as they spoke, drank and shared their home-made tiramisu. "Then you can start look further afield. And perhaps you may even like it there, diletta. There may even be room for advancement. It may not be what you want, but it could be what you need."

So Caroline applied. She was hired immediately.

She was not assigned as a scientist (much to her disapproval) but as an office assistant to one of the company's heads of department, Gregg Newman. Caroline spent months working diligently for Gregg and his biology team, finding herself pleasantly surprised that the job itself was quite enjoyable. She was endlessly fascinated by their work and was not shunned when she voiced an opinion or an idea. Even the small chores, such as ordering flowers for Gregg's fiancé Sofia (who, like Caroline, worked in the biology office) were pleasant.

The regular visits made by Cave Johnson, however, irked her. When he arrived, dressed neatly in his sharp suits and well-kept hair, the whole department would dissolve into a loud hive of anticipation tied up in a lab coat. Gregg and Johnson would disappear into Gregg's office, sometimes for hours, before Johnson would promptly leave again. Caroline learned to keep her attention on her work whenever he was present, unlike the other staff. What business did a shower curtain salesman have in here? Did he even understand any of their work?

Before she knew it, Christmas had arrived, and with it came Caroline's first Aperture Science Innovators Christmas Party Extravaganza…

Giggling as though she were a teenage schoolgirl, Caroline stumbled into the nearest wall. She barely registered any pain as her elbow met the plastered brick, senses as thick as the drunken mire of her brain. Christmas music rang in her ears, mixing with the chatter of the excitable crowd. Never had she felt so free, so… rebellious. Respectable, sweet and well-behaved Caroline had never been so drunk, and dear God it felt good.

"Caroline? Caroline?"

Caroline vaguely registered the voice that was calling out to her, instantly recognising it as Sofia's. She loved Sofia – that woman was one of the best friends Caroline had ever had, and she was certainly closer to her than she was her own sisters. But where was she? She couldn't see her.

A blurry face stepped into view, one with long blonde hair and immaculate make-up. Sofia.

"You need to sit down, lovely," Sofia cooed with that calming English lilt, leading Caroline away from the wall against which she had slumped, through the masses of dancing bodies, and towards a collection of plush chairs and tables. "There you go. I asked you not to drink so much."

Caroline, now seated, smiled up at Sofia with a toothy grin. "I only had the one glass."

"No, you had the one glass that was then refilled several times."

"Exactly. One!"

"That isn't how it works, Caroline."

From behind Sofia, Caroline saw two figures approach. As they drew close she recognised them as Gregg – who leaned over Sofia's chair to give her a kiss – and… no… why did it have to be Johnson?

"You girls alright?" Gregg asked with a chirp to his voice, looking between his fiancé and her friend in turn. "Hey Caroline," he laughed, holding up his hand to show her three fingers. "How many?"

"Five," she replied, the alcohol in her system coercing her into acting out.

"Wow," Gregg straightened with a smile. "How much has she had to drink?"

"Don't ask," was Sofia's quick reply.

"Well, she seems happy enough. Mind if Cave and I join you?"

'Yes,' Caroline thought. Gregg could stay – she considered Gregg a friend too - but Johnson could leave. Yet her thoughts alone were not enough to stop the man from sitting in the chair next to hers as Gregg pushed his own seat closer to Sofia's.

"Sofia!" Johnson began, beaming from ear to ear. "How are you, kiddo? Haven't spoken to you in a while."

Sofia chuckled in return. "That's probably because you're always too busy to find. I told you that you need an assistant."

"Nah, I don't need some busy body messing up all my stuff. My filing is second to none!"

"Cave, your filing is atrocious."

"Well maybe, but I sure as hell understand it." His retort was quick, but the warm smile remained.

Caroline huffed and rearranged her position, catching Sofia's warning glance as she settled into the corner of her chair. If she were to be stuck with Johnson then she might as well be comfortable.

Caroline watched and listened to the conversation between her friends and her boss. Fortunately the discussion stayed firmly on the topic of their upcoming wedding, and did not travel to the events of the workplace. If Johnson so much as tried to involve himself with any of the facilities work, Caroline knew that she would not have been able to control her tongue. No, she was more than content to remain silent, opting instead to have her glass filled when one of the many serving staff made their consistent rounds. She couldn't engage in conversation if her mouth was full.

Other members of staff would occasionally join the group, hoping beyond hope to keep in favour with Johnson if they did so, and to compensate Caroline invented a new drinking game; she would take a reasonable amount of alcohol into her mouth whenever anyone kissed Johnson's ass. If she hadn't already been drunk, then she would have become so very, very quickly.

"So," Johnson's voice broke the monotonous drone of music and chatter. "I did need to talk to you, Gregg, about that gene splicing."

"Oh yeah?" Gregg replied, cocking his head in curiosity. "What's on your mind Cave?"

'Oh, here we go,' snarled a small voice in the forefront of Caroline's brain.

"It's that government grant that got me thinking," Johnson began, edging forward in his seat, hands flying eagerly in the air. "You know, the defence one? What if, instead of plant on plant splicing, we try plant on, say, mantis DNA?"

A loud and sharp cackle ended that conversation quickly. Sofia, Gregg and Johnson all turned to Caroline, who was trying so desperately hard to control another bark of laughter.

"Caroline," Sofia's voice was low, cautious, "I think perhaps that you really have had too much to drink. I'm sorry boys," she turned to Gregg and Johnson. "I'll help her straighten herself up a bit. Come on, lovely."

But Caroline shook her head and remained firmly in her seat.

"Caroline."

"No, no," Caroline replied, making a point to exaggerate her next words carefully. "I'm intrigued. Let Mr. Johnson explain." She turned to face her boss, looking him directly in the eyes. "Carry on, sir."

But Cave Johnson did not continue. Instead he glared back at her, his gaze unwavering. Caroline should have felt crushed under the weight of his contemplation, and a small part of her did want to break eye contact and flee. But she was determined to not back down. Not to him. Not to anybody.

It was Johnson who broke the uneasy silence between the group.

"Is there a problem, miss?" His eyes did not leave hers.

"Yes actually, sir, there is a problem; what do you know about particle symmetry? Quantum field theory? Even basic biology? You. Sold. Shower curtains."

He blinked, and for a moment Caroline thought she saw a glimpse of something flash in his eyes, something soft - perhaps sad – and his face dulled. But this passive change of character was quickly replaced by a cold fury.

"And what in the hell has that got to do with you?"

No. She would not be intimidated. Standing up to her full height on shaking and uneasy legs, Caroline scowled down at Johnson.

"I have a degree, sir, in theoretical physics. And what can I do with that degree? Nothing. What can you do with no qualifications? Everything."

"Damn right I can!"

And suddenly Caroline felt very, very small.

Johnson rose to his feet, towering above her. Even in heels she barely met his shoulders. And he was broad, well-built. Strong. If he were to lay a finger on her then Caroline would never stand a chance.

The room had fallen silent. Even the music had been turned down so low that it became an uncomfortable buzz. Everybody was watching them.

"Cave, Caroline," Gregg began, his voice calm as he too began to leave his chair. "This isn't necessary. Caroline, you are far too drunk, okay? Cave, you just need to relax."

"Oh, I was relaxed!" Johnson bit back.

"Don't you talk to Gregg like that!" Caroline seethed, her eyes thinning.

Johnson rounded on her. "And nobody speaks back to me, especially not some goddamn arm candy!"

Before Caroline could think, her hand reached out to her half-full glass. In an instant, Johnson was wearing red wine. It dripped from his face and to his shirt, his tie, his suit…

The room exploded in one unified gasp.

After a prolonged silence between them, one that was only disturbed by the excited hum from their captivated audience, Johnson looked down on Caroline with an odd glance. She couldn't tell if he was angry or embarrassed, and frankly she no longer cared.

"Missy," he began, his voice low and oddly quiet, "you are…"

"You can't fire me – I quit!"

Turning on her heel, Caroline left the large conference room and made her lonely way towards the biology department, crossing the vast canyons of the salt mines that the facility was built into. She wasn't sure when it had happened, but the effects of feeling drunk, and her bravado, had all but disappeared, leaving only regret in their wake.

How could she have been so stupid? She had argued with Cave Johnson! Aperture was her only true shot at a job in science, and now, much like her wine, she had thrown it all away.

'Stupid! Stupid!'

Caroline arrived at her desk much faster than she would have liked and, having collected an empty box on her route, began to slowly and carefully pack away her few and meagre belongings. With her desk empty, Caroline took one last place in her chair, looking about at the richly decorated office of wood, polished glass and tile. She took in as much of it as he could, trying to ingrain the image in her mind.

"Say goodbye, Caroline." She whispered to herself, feeling the first pangs of a stinging sensation at her eyes. "It's over."

She remained in her seat for a little while longer, aimlessly pondering on what would not have happened if she had just kept her mouth shut, when she heard the deep clack clack of heavy shoes on the tiles behind her.

'Oh God, has someone come to gloat?'

There was a pause in the footsteps, and then;

"It's Caroline, isn't it? I can call you Caroline?"

She froze. What was Johnson doing here?

He entered her vision as he stood by her desk. His suit jacket was gone, tie loosened, revealing just how much of his shirt collar the wine had stained – it was less than she had thought, but it was still more than enough. She looked up at him cautiously, expecting the worst, only to find a man who was the epitome of calm.

Johnson inclined his head towards a nearby chair. "May I?"

Caroline nodded, still uncertain of the situation. Why wasn't he furious at her? Was this a trick? A trap? The thought of his strength returned to her and her blood ran cold. It would not be the first time that a man had handled her roughly, and those other men had been a lot less physically intimidating.

Whilst Caroline's mind had wandered to a dark place, Johnson had moved his seat across the desk from her and taken his spot upon it.

"So," he began bringing Caroline back to reality, "theoretical physics. You must be damn smart to get that degree."

"Yes, sir." Her reply wasn't a thank you - it was a statement of fact.

"Modest too," he quipped, but not without a smile. "I'm joking. Look, I'm gonna cut right to it. You're not fired."

Caroline could not believe what she was hearing. Not fired? What was the catch?

Johnson looked at the box sat between them before returning to her. "I'd keep your stuff boxed for now though – you're relocating."

"I – what?"

"You heard," he tapped the box as though to reaffirm his point. "I've got a better job for you. Better pay. Longer hours."

Caroline shook her head in disbelief. "I don't understand. I threw my drink at you. I argued with you."

"And?"

She stared at him, incredulous. "You were furious with me."

"I was. But you want to know something, Caroline? I like you. You're not afraid to stand up to me." Johnson pushed his chair back and leaned into it, making himself comfortable. "There are too many brown-nosing bastards in this place. But you? You don't care that I'm in charge. What, you think I didn't notice that when I walked in here, that you carried on with your work, even though everyone else lost their damn minds? Missy, you stood out like the fourth of July.

"I like your work ethic, Caroline. You're dedicated! Driven! Not afraid to stand up to the boss! You are the kind of person that Aperture has needed for a long time. And that's why you're getting this promotion."

Was any of this real? Caroline had begun to suspect that she may, in her drunken state, have slipped and banged her head.

She sat up a little straighter in her chair, once again looking her boss in the eyes. But this time it was different. He looked hopeful.

"And just what is this job exactly?" She asked, still uncertain.

"You're my assistant."

And Caroline cackled again. Of course. Of course she would still be an office girl! But this time she would be a glorified office girl. This wasn't a step up. Surely this was his way of punishing her for her insubordination.

"You can laugh if you want," Johnson replied. "But I know you're going to love it. You haven't seen the perks that'll come with this job yet."

"And what perks would they be, sir?"

He smiled – a real, genuine smile that made his whole face light up - from his chin and to his curiously deep blue eyes.

"Science, Caroline. Real science."

End Playback?

End.

Cave had been right; Caroline had loved her job as his assistant. From that first moment that she had stepped into her own little office, she had fallen in love with her newfound position in the company. Working so closely with Cave meant that she had a direct say in Aperture's business and she watched as real science unfolded before her eyes. Eventually, Cave entrusted to her the true origins of Aperture's creations; they were, mostly, all down to Cave himself. Cave Johnson, ex-shower curtain salesman, had been a true genius.

Cave had been born into a poor family, one where aspirations of college were but a dream. But that did nothing to curb Cave's enthusiasm and natural ability in the sciences and the mathematical. He excelled at school, and his keen interests were indulged by his mother who used what little money she could spare to buy him books on the scientific subjects that held his attention the most: physics and biology.

However, Caroline quickly learned that Cave's life had been a series of pitfalls, starting with the death of his mother when he was but a young boy. His father had quickly remarried and, with his new wife, had a second son. Cave was shunned in favour of his brother, Lucas, whose mother ensured that he remained the centre of attention, and Cave's father had been more than happy to maintain this plan. Throughout his school years, Cave watched from the side-lines as his brother was supplied with better clothes and equipment. He looked on as his father and stepmother humoured his brother's every whim. And when he was old enough to leave school, Cave took his father's place at Aperture Shower Curtains and Fixtures when he became too ill to work. Even with their rejection, Cave had felt the need to support his family.

Yet where his father had failed and struggled in business, Cave succeeded, winning sale after sale with his natural charisma and witty charm (something that, he claimed, to have inherited from his mother). Cave rose through the ranks at a blinding speed, and though he eventually left to join the war effort, he was assured that his job would still be there upon his homecoming. It had not been a lie - Cave returned from the war to find that his job, and a promotion, were waiting for him.

His father died soon after his return, leaving Cave to discover that both he and his stepmother had been setting aside money for Lucas' college fund for many years – money that they had claimed to not possess; money that they had taken from that which Cave had given to them in trust.

Suffice to say, Cave did not attend his father's funeral. Instead he took over the company and transformed it into a scientific powerhouse in "a final fuck you to my old man", as Cave so beautifully put it.

But now Cave was gone, and the only evidence of his existence was found in the older facility below. Their beautiful daughter, too, was gone, lost forever to the world beyond Aperture. Only Caroline remained, trapped in the chassis of a supercomputer, with only her twisted counterpart for company.

It was little wonder that Caroline revisited her memories with increasing frequency.

GLaDOS, meanwhile, had been waiting intently for the safe return of her test subject. She watched as Blue and Orange carried him above their heads, both chirping happily whilst the human wriggled against their grip and howled obscenities at them.

"What a charming young man," GLaDOS noted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I really must find a way to discourage him from using such colourful language."

Caroline said nothing, choosing instead to watch as the testing initiative returned Mark to the current chamber. GLaDOS created an opening in the chamber wall, and both robots gently dropped Mark inside before making their quick escape through the closing panels.

GLaDOS turned her attention to her robots, switching her communication channels to private. The human should be oblivious to their conversation.

"Where is his Handheld Portal Device?" She asked, listening as Orange explained that there had been no sign of it. "Oh well," she continued, returning her attention to the test chamber cameras. "He'll just have to wait whilst I prepare a new one."

Caroline remained silent as her attention was focused solely on Mark. Perhaps she was not as alone as she had originally thought; her nephew was here, at the very least, though she knew very little about him. Cave and Lucas had never been interested in family reunions, and so Caroline had seen precious little of Mark when she was still in possession of a body.

Perhaps now was the time to learn a little more about him? It could be a family gathering that was long overdue. But to do so she would need to protect him, somehow, from GLaDOS and her dangerous test chambers. She would need a plan.

"A plan is only as good as the people who follow it."

Caroline paused. Who was that?

GLaDOS, it seemed, had not heard the voice – a deep, male, but fluctuating voice - as she continued with her ministrations on each of the upcoming chambers.

"And the people who follow have to be as good as the plan."

Caroline dare not speak, lest she attract GLaDOS' attention. Who, or what, was that voice? It sounded like the announcement system, but remained different to it.

"The best laid plans of machine and man often go awry, and leave us nothing but pain for our hubris."

Caroline cast GLaDOS a quick thought before she returned to the sudden and unusual voice and, hoping beyond hope that the computer would not hear her, asked;

"Who are you?"

Silence was her only reply.

'What the hell is going on here?' She wondered, feeling a thrill of terror in her data.

Whatever this was, her instinct warned, it was not good.

* The mystery voice was, in part, mis-quoting 'To A Mouse, On Turning Her Up In Her Nest With The Plough' by Robert Burns.