He deserved this.

He knew he did. After all that had happened, he deserved this.

It had been two months since she had drug him back from Earth's orbit.

"Oh, oh thank you!" he cried as he happily rolled about on the floor of her chamber. "I couldn't stand another minute out there with that daft spa-" he was cut off by GLaDOS extending her body toward him menacingly.

"You...you, um...you look angry," he said nervously, "And, and I would be too! If...if someone ripped my head off and installed me into a potato and..." the little personality core trailed off. He decided that, with an extremely angry AI looming above him, it might be best not to remind her of certain incidents. In fact, it might be a good idea to start apologizing. Right now, in fact.

"I do want you to know that I am sorry! And not just because you are huge and...and not just because you can crush me at any moment! I am honestly, truly sorry, and I-"

He was once again cut off as GLaDOS inched closer to him. "Moron, do you have any idea WHY I brought you back?" she asked as she drew herself up.

Wheatley's optic danced back and forth nervously, "Um. Well, no. No, not really. I actually thought you'd leave me in space. To...you know, punish me. But, but I'm glad you brought me back! Because I really need to apologize to her..." GLaDOS once again extended her body down toward Wheatley. "AND YOU, AND TO YOU! Have to apologize to you! Which I did, but I will do again, because I am sorry!" Wheatley quickly added and he shook in fear on the floor.

"While it amuses me greatly to see you grovelling like this, I suppose I should really get to the point..."

Suddenly, a claw extended down from the ceiling and gripped him roughly. He gave a sharp cry of pain as he was hauled up so he was level with GLaDOS's optic.

"You see," she began as a cheerful tone crept into her voice, "...while I was a potato I had thought of all the things I was going to do to you once I was back into my body. ...But now I see that you want to apologize to her so badly..."

The little core relaxed, "Oh, brilliant!"

"Which is why this works out even better...for me. You see, I just cannot get rid of that dangerous, mute lunatic. Even after I told her I wanted her gone, she persists in irritating me..."

"She...she's here?" Wheatly asked incredulously.

"Not now, you moron. But yes, she does waddle in here periodically."

The lower lid on Wheatley's optic slid up, indicating a smile. It did not last, however, as GLaDOS swung her claw around to the other side of the room.

"She will be here, along with you. But you'll be...elsewhere," she said airily.

"I'll be where now?"

"Well, first you'll spend a year in the incinerator. Year two: cryogenic refrigeration wing. Then ten years in the chamber I built where all the robots scream at you..." GLaDOS said wistfully. "And all the while, Chell will be right here. Right on top of you...and she'll never know you're here," she finished maliciously.

The claw gradually swung over to the opening shaft of the incinerator. Wheatley just hung there in shocked silence. Chell would be here? But he would never be able to apologize to her? His thoughts were cut short however as GLaDOS dropped him down the shaft. His cries echoed up as he bounced down.

Wheatley's thoughts were interrupted as a particularly high flame lapped at his frame, causing him to cry out in pain. He closed his optic and read the temperature: 2040 Kelvin. Not enough to kill him, but plenty enough to be incredibly painful. How like her.

But again, he reminded himself, he deserved this. His thoughts turned to Chell; his only friend. Chell, who never laughed at him, or called him a moron. Who, when he was trying to escape, never shouted obscenities at him or bashed him with a chair upon waking up from stasis. She listened to him and followed his suggestions to the letter. And he tried to kill her.

Sure, he could try to argue it wasn't his fault, that it was the corrupt mainframe. But those were just excuses. He had actively tried to murder his best friend. And now she would be above him; never aware of him even being here. And he would never be able to apologize. It was cruel. And he deserved it.

Another high flame enveloped his core, causing some wiring to spark and melt. He shut his optic tightly and retreated inwardly. Maybe once he opened it again, he'd be in the refrigeration wing. At least then it would be cooler.

...speaking of cooler...it seems the flames have died down a little bit. He slightly opened his optic and swore he saw a figure approach him in the shimmering heat.

"...Chell?"

AN: Well, after writing papers for classes, I decided to write a fanfic! This is sort of my first foray into writing fanfiction, so it sucks no doubt. But this is your chance to help me improve! Let me know of any spelling errors, tense errors, ways to improve; constructive criticism is welcome! Regular criticism is welcome as well! :D