Deep Space, Starship Phoenix, Ratchet's quarters

Ratchet plopped down on the couch in his quarters in the Starship Phoenix. He was absolutely exhausted. Not only had he fought Dr. Nefarious, twice, he had also battled his way through an armada of killer robots and finally faced down a gargantuan robot with a hovership. Only thing the Lombax now wished for was to sleep for twelve hours and perhaps more.

Unfortunately, he was denied of this wish as the doors to his quarters opened and swift steps echoed through the room. Ratchet didn't have the time to even sit up before he was tackled down by a figure in a purple jumpsuit.

"Ratchet!" Sasha exclaimed with happiness very uncharacteristic of her.

The said Lombax didn't get the chance to respond as his lips were quickly enveloped by pair of brown ones. The kiss was fervent, almost desperate, which was understandable, considering everything that had transpired recently. It reflected love so deep and dedicated that Ratchet couldn't dispel the feeling of guilt that flooded over him when he broke the kiss and gently pushed the Markazian away. Sasha was quick to reply with a look of deep confusion and concern in her eyes.

"Ratchet?" she enquired softly.

Ratchet was unable to withstand those orbs of blue that felt almost like they pierced him with their gaze. He looked away, letting out a deep sigh. How could he even begin explaining his dilemma to her?

"Sasha... there's something... I've been meaning to tell you" Ratchet carefully started.

"What is it, Ratchet? What has happened?" she made a move to take his hand, but it avoided her grasp.

The action confounded her even more. What was going on?

"Sasha, I'm sorry if I've lead you on, but..." he paused again, the thought of upsetting her so mightily made Ratchet hate himself.

"But what?" she whispered, a sliver of dread creeping into her voice.

"I... don't feel the same... for you" Ratchet choked out painfully.

It was the harsh truth. Ratchet did like Sasha. He liked her very much, but there was someone else who had already captured his heart and he felt dedicated to her.

"But... Ratchet..." Sasha's voice quivered as tears formed in her widened eyes.

Had the situation been any other, Ratchet would've been utterly amazed at the sight of tears in the Markazians eyes, but now he only glimpsed at them and turned his head away. It was too much for him to handle. Despite being an intergalactic hero and a trigger-happy Lombax, Ratchet was still a very gentle and kind soul and didn't wish to upset anyone like this, especially his friends.

"Sasha..." he began, but words failed him.

Speaking with his actions, the Lombax gathered the crying woman in his arms and did all he could to comfort her. She clung to him strongly, sobs rocking her whole body. It had been such a small thing to break her, Ratchet thought. After all, she had retained her composure through everything. Even when Dr. Nefarious had the Biobliterator attack Metropolis or when the 'noids had invaded Markazia, Sasha had displayed only urgency to go and defend both cities. But apparently Ratchet's rejection hadn't been that small of a thing to her.

"I'm sorry" Ratchet managed a whisper.

Her sobs only grew louder at that and Ratchet took it as a sign to remain quiet unless spoken to. He held her close, hoping to provide whatever solace he could. Despite not sharing Sahsa's feelings, Ratchet felt his heart break little more with each sobs and tears. This wasn't what he'd wanted, but he didn't want lie to her either or give false hope.

"Why, Ratchet? Why don't you love me?" she sobbed.

Even if there was nothing accusatory in her words, they still cut deep into Ratchet's already aching heart.

"Sasha, please believe me when I say that there's nothing wrong with you" he quietly began, running his hand down her back.

"Then why?" she repeated.

"There's... someone else" Ratchet confessed, hoping that this wouldn't break Sasha's heart further.

"Who?" the sobs had subsided just a little, but Ratchet didn't let her go just yet.

"She's another Lombax living in the Bogon Galaxy. She helped out a lot when me and Clank were out saving the galaxy. Her name is Angela Cross" Ratchet explained, unable to keep all the fondness out of his voice.

Fortunately, Sasha didn't notice it as it would've probably only worsened her mood. She only regarded Ratchet, now considerably more calm than only moments ago, although there was a certain type of concern written all over her face again.

"Does this-Does this mean that you're leaving soon?" she asked, terrified of the answer.

Ratchet's already lowered ears drooped even lower.

"I'm sorry..." he sighed.

That was all she needed to hear to understand. Ratchet would leave, leave the galaxy, leave her and for another woman! It would've been an understatement to say that it hurt. No, hurt was too mild a term. It was as if someone had cleaved Sasha's heart in two and burned the remainder.

But she couldn't stand in the way of his happiness.

"I understand, Ratchet" she sighed sadly, "There's someone else"

Sasha detached herself from the Lombax and with some difficulty, forced the "Captain Mood" back in place to mask her overwhelming sorrow.

Before she exited the room however, she turned back slightly.

"Please come see me before you leave, Ratchet" she begged.

"I will, don't worry" he tried to give her an encouraging smile, but failed miserably.

Sasha gave one last nod and then quickly left the room. She needed to be alone...

Ratchet heaved a long sigh. He let himself fall back to prone position. He had been planning on resting, but those plans were definitely out of the window now. In addition to Sasha's chagrin, Ratchet's mind was plagued by another dilemma.

Would Angela forgive him?

It'd been a year since he'd left Bogon for Solana and Veldin. He hadn't left a note, he hadn't called, he hadn't anyhow let Angela know if he was safe or even alive. Ratchet knew his friend, and he knew that Angela must've been worried sick because of his sudden disappearance. The reason Ratchet hadn't contacted her later when the situation calmed down a bit was that he hadn't dared. Deep down, he was afraid of the response he'd get. Even if Ratchet remembered Angela as very kind and lovely Lombax, he also knew that she had a slight temper and a bit rarer tendency for bearing a grudge.

"Ratchet?"

"WHAHHAHHA" the Lombax was startled out of his fur.

"Oh, I am sorry. Did I disturb you" asked his robotic companion.

"Clank... um... no, I was just... thinking" for some reason, Ratchet didn't want to share this particular problem with Clank.

"About what?" he inquired, cocking a brow in his robotic manner.

"About... ah... um... er..." Ratchet stumbled badly, "Angela"

"Oh, what about Ms. Cross?" Clank asked, confused as to why his friend had brought her up so suddenly.

"I was thinking about going to visit Grelbin, but I'm afraid she won't want to see me" Ratchet explained, his ears drooping to a new low.

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, we did sort of leave without a notice and haven't talked to her in a year. She might've taken that the wrong way" the Lombax again explained.

"Hmm, I see what you mean" Clank replied, "Perhaps we should apologize to her"

"Let's at least try" Ratchet agreed.

"Um, Ratchet. There is something I have been meaning to ask you about Ms. Cross" Clank began carefully.

"Shoot" Ratchet said, plopping back onto the couch.

"What exactly is it that you feel for her?" Clank posed innocently.

Now, in spite of being a robot, Clank was very well capable of comprehending emotions and what he had seen between the two Lombaxes left little to doubt. He especially remembered the reaction Ratchet had had when they'd learned Angela had been kidnapped by Thugs-4-Less. While Clank had focused on getting the information they needed, Ratchet had been adamant about protecting Angela. Back then, Clank had only dismissed as concern for a friend, but when he reanalyzed Ratchet behavior, gestures and tone of voice, there were some little details to be found that indicated something more than friendship.

"I... don't know what you mean" Ratchet laughed nervously.

"Oh, I rather think you do" Clank replied with a teasing edge in his metallic voice.

His Lombax friend let out a sigh as he answered: "I'm not sure, Clank, but... I think... I think I'm in love with Angela"


Bogon Galaxy, Planet Grelbin, Tundor Wastes

In her cozy house, Angela Cross was regarding the ever-wintry landscape with a cup of tea in her hand and a blanket around her shoulders. Occasionally a random Y.E.T.I. would stick its head out of the whiteness and look around and then dive back into its snowy lair. Sometimes, although very rarely, the Leviathans would let out a cry that echoed through the wastes.

The young female Lombax didn't notice any of these natural occurrences. Even if her eyes were trained at the landscape, they were glazed over, giving away her faraway state. She was thinking about him again. Angela didn't know why she even bothered. Ratchet obviously wasn't coming back and based on what she'd read in the holoids (A/N holo + tabloid = holoid), he was dating the daughter of the Galactic President.

Ratchet had clearly forgotten about her and moved on. Angela couldn't deny the hurt it elicited in her heart to admit this. It had been a year now. A year since Ratchet disappeared without a trace, only later to be discovered back in his home of Solana Galaxy. Angela was beyond angry that Ratchet had left without her. She could've helped him! Made sure he came back safe and alive!

But Ratchet hadn't even called her.

She had learned it from Mr. Fizzwidget as he was prone to following the intergalactic news channels. However, the question was, what would happen now? Solana was safe. Could Ratchet come back to Bogon? No! He wouldn't come back. He had the President's daughter to entertain.

The anger returned and suddenly Angela felt like she wanted to scream. Why didn't Ratchet choose her? What did this Daughter of the President have that she didn't.

"I bet she isn't clumsy" Angela thought in her sadness. She had always been embarrassed by her habit of being clumsy. As a child it had landed her in trouble more than once. She'd been made fun of to no end too.

Suddenly, a memory flashed in her mind. It was the last time she'd seen ratchet. They had been on Megapolis, in Clank's apartment, having a movie night. Clank was sitting in the armchair and Ratchet and Angela had situated themselves in the opposite ends of the couch. The huge gap between them had always troubled Angela, but she hadn't dared to try to bridge it. Ratchet seemed to slip through her finger the more she tried keep him in her grasp.

But then, on the next day, he was gone.

And he took her heart with him.

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