---

It took Alyx a few hours of slipping past Civil Patrol checkpoints to reach Dr. Kliener's secret lab. It was located near the outskirts of the city, near a small train station. The lab itself was hidden in an abandoned warehouse, in which Alyx had just entered. She walked up to a "water dispenser" and punched in a number of buttons in sequence. The machine beeped as the front of it opened to reveal a hidden room filled with a plethora of gadgets and large instruments. Dr. Kliener looked up at his guest, greeting her with a warm smile.

"Alyx! I'm so glad you have made it. Do you have the Worm Accelerator?"

"Hey, doc. I have it right here." She slipped the thick disk out of a bag dangling at her side. Kliener then grabbed the accelerator and moved towards two large glass drums filled with orange liquid. Kliener then began to slip the disk into its slot, connecting a series of cables to the top part of the device. The surrounding lights turned green, indicating that he had succeeded in connecting the right cables.

"Splendid!" Kliener called out, ecstatic. "I believe that is the last piece!"

Alyx became happy as well, knowing that the teleporter would make their lives easier. She wouldn't have to smuggle refugees out of the city. All they would have to do is teleport them out, creating a sort of new Underground Railroad, except without the tracks. She was still a bit skeptical, though.

"Are you sure it will work?" She asked, her brow furrowed with worry.

Kliener looked over his computer screen, scanning the data. A small smirk crossed his lips.

"Oh, yes. It will most defiantly work. Thank you, my dear, for delivering the essential piece."

"Hey, no problem." She grabbed his shoulder affectionately. "I'm going to check up on one of the safe houses nearby. Are you going to be alright?"

"Certainly. Just be safe out there."

"Okay. I'm going to have my COM unit, so call me if you need something."

Kliener smiled, signaling that he understood. Alyx exited the way she came, moving out into the dangerous streets.

---

After traveling a couple of blocks, Alyx reached her destination. She stopped in front of a run down, five-story apartment building. The windows were covered in wooden boards and bullet holes riddled the entire structure. She knocked lightly against the front door and waited for a reply. The door clacked and swung open, revealing a lone rebel. The rebel smiled and motioned Alyx to come in. She followed the soldier up the winding stairs to the fourth floor. Here, about twelve other rebels were stationed as a listening post. Large computer screens and speakers lined the room, allowing the rebels to listen in on the Combine's secure broadcasts. Alyx just stopped by to check up on them.

"So," she conversed with the leader of the group. "How's it going here?"

"Nothing to report." The leader replied. "Same old Combine gibberish on how they're going to kill us all. According to the conversations, it seems that a new shipment of Striders will be arriving a few days. "

"Hmmm. I'll inform my dad of that, later. How about supplies?"

"Doing good."

"Good. Well, I just wanted to make sure you guys were doing okay."

The leader smiled, appreciating the gesture.

"Why, thank you. The Combine still don't know we're here, so we should be alive for a good while."

"Okay. I should be back in a few days. See you guys then."

The whole room said their goodbyes as Alyx traveled back down the stairs and out of the building.

Suddenly, her small COM unit beeped inside of her pocket. She pulled it out and pushed it into her ear.

"Alyx Vance." She stated plainly.

"Alyx!" Kliener shouted into the COM unit. "You need to head towards the train station now! Gordon Freeman has returned!"

Alyx felt her heart jump to her throat.

"Really?" She shouted, excitement filling her being. "That's fantastic! Where is he exactly?"

"Barney told me he is moving away from the train station towards the west. That was the last possible location. Do you think you can find him?"

"Um," she though, her mind racing, "I think so."

"If I could make a suggestion . . . just follow the sirens."

---

As she ran down the street towards the station, Alyx could hear tons of Combine radio chatter in her COM unit. Three armored APCs drove past her, moving at high speed towards the station. 'Wow,' She thought. 'Dr. Freeman must have alerted the entire CP unit.' Over the radio chatter, Alyx deduced that Gordon was traveling over the roofs of City 17. He was close, too. She spied around, looking for a way to climb to the roofs herself. A nearby pipe was just the thing. She grasped the pipe and ascended carefully up the building's wall. After a few minutes of climbing, Alyx reached the top, pulling herself onto the gravel-covered roof. She then looked all around her, scanning each building top for any sign of the fugitive.

Sure enough, she spotted a jumpsuit-clad man running over ledges, dodging Combine gunfire, two buildings away from her position. She watched as he jumped into a window, disappearing into the apartment building. Alyx ran herself, jumping onto the next building, keeping up her pace. She then climbed down the opposite wall, finding herself in between two buildings. The opposite building was close and was covered in windows. Through the windows, she could see Gordon, surrounded by Combine CPs. She quickly jumped from her building to the other, grabbing hold to the window. She watched as Gordon disarmed one patrolman by knocking him in the face with his elbow. He then tried to push another CP out of his way, but was met with the blunt end of a stun-stick. Alyx watched in horror as the cops proceeded to punish Gordon with blows from their batons.

She carefully pushed the window in, allowing her to enter unnoticed. She then jogged up towards the nearest CP and wrapped her hands around his head, twisting it violently, breaking his neck. The cop crumpled to the ground dead. Alyx swiftly grabbed the stun-stick off of the ground, ready for the next attackers. "Over here!" she called out, hoping to draw the guards away from Gordon.

The last three CPs looked up at the intruder, each one infuriated by her presence. The first attacked carelessly, waving his stick franticly.

"OH, NO YOU DON'T!" Alyx shouted. She easily ducked the CP's violent swings, and brought her baton into his abdomen, causing the guard to bend over in pain. She then brought the stick down into his face, knocking the CP into submission. The last two were a bit more careful, attacking simultaneously. Alyx dodged the first attacker, bringing her foot up, connecting with his mask. The next one tried grasping one of her hands, but she twisted away, grabbing her attacker's wrist and twisting. The CP screamed in pain as Alyx shoved the stun-stick into his mask's view port. The last Civil Patrolmen was stumbling to raise himself off of the ground when Alyx slammed her fist into his jugular. The room was again silent. Alyx looked down at Gordon, who lay unconscious on the ground.

She knelt down, looking over the newcomer's body for any wounds. Fortunately, there were none to be seen. She studied his face, only seeing it prior on an old photo her dad had kept. He had short hair and a foe Manchu that surrounded his lips. His eyes sported big, nerdy glasses, which, at the time, Alyx found to be somewhat adorable.

Too her surprise, he groaned as he stirred back to reality. After a few blows from the stun-sticks that he had received, he should have been unconscious for hours! In all honesty, she was really impressed by Gordon so far. He had managed to escape squads of Civil Patrol and survived a heavy beating. His eyes fluttered open and his confused gaze fell upon Alyx. She smiled.

"Doctor Freeman I presume?"

---

"And that's about it. Of course, we both know what happens after that. " Alyx finished her story. She shifted to the side to avoid rainwater dripping from the shed's roof. Soon after, her face turned grave. "I can't say I have lived a normal lifestyle. My whole entire life was filled with running, death and despair. Not many people can say they learned how to shoot at age 8 or have lead a group of people into battle at age 12." A wave of sadness crossed over her face, as she hugged her knees. "I just wish it would have been different."

Gordon noticed her distress. After a few moments of silence, Gordon tried to cheer his companion's spirits.

"What's your favorite color?"

Alyx looked up, surprised.

"What?"

"What is your favorite color?" He asked again, smiling this time.

Alyx realized what he was doing and grinned.

"Um, green."

"How about . . . your favorite food."

She paused, thinking for a moment. "Oranges."

"Favorite animal?"

"Robots."

Gordon and Alyx chuckled as D0g, still sitting outside, gave out a soft whoop in agreement. After a few moments of laughing, Alyx looked at Gordon with warm eyes.

"Thank you."

He grinned, "My pleasure."

Alyx stared at Gordon for a moment, as if in a trance. To Gordon's surprise, she rose from her spot, walked up closer and sat next to him. They gazed at each other for a few seconds before Alyx suddenly rested her head against his shoulder. Gordon gave out a breath of shock at the gesture, not knowing what he should do next. Alyx was a bit nervous herself, seeing that she didn't know how Gordon would feel about her being so close. To her relief, he wrapped his arm around her, drawing her closer. She smiled, her heart feeling warm with his affection. She nestled in closer, shutting her eyes.

"Thank you for the story." She whispered.

"Thank you for your story." Gordon replied, his voice soft.

Gordon sat there in awe, thinking. Their lives were so different and opposite. He had grown up in a scientific community, without danger, just learning. She had grown up in a harsh environment, each day, fighting for her life. Every day, their lives were built up to this moment. Two paths finally joined together at the crossroads. And the road was not finished yet. Their lives, now intertwined, still had a long way to go. Gordon smiled to himself. He was thankful for this development in their lives, knowing that he would do everything in his power to keep it going.

They both drifted off into sleep, ready for the next chapter to their own story.

-Fin-

---

Well, I hope you enjoyed this story. This will probably be one of the few very large stories I do. If you did or didn't like this story, PLEASE TELL ME. I know that Gordon's part of the fic was a bit boring, but it was supposed to be like that. :) I could have gone forever on Alyx's side, but I wanted to leave some large gaps in between her life, because I know you guys have some stories that take place during those times. Thanks again for reading!