"Well, It appears this is goodbye."

Ratchet lay wake in bed as that moment played itself over in his mind again.

"Are you sure you have to go?"

"My place is here, I have delayed my destiny enough, Ratchet."

In his mind, he was back at the apogee space station, where they said goodbye.

After he and Talwyn had announced their engagement, the last thing they had expected was this.

Ratchet spotted clank in the terrarium, repairing the defense systems. A few weeks ago Ratchet had forgotten the security key and was forced to fight his way in. This wasn't an unusual occurrence, this was the third time this month.

"Hey pal." ratchet greeted as clank finished re-assembling an auto-turret. Clank didn't look up from his work, "Hello ratchet."

Ratchet was unsure how to continue. He thought Clank would be happy for him, but it was still a little awkward. "So, umm... You know Talwyn, right?" He said, instantly regretting his choice of words. Clank looked up, puzzled. "Of coarse I know Talwyn, if I didn't I would not be fixing these turrets." Clank answered, missing the point entirely. Ratchet flinched. He couldn't understand why this was so hard to say. "well, me and her are... well you know how... We're going to do the thing..." He stumbled. Clank looked even more confused. "the thing?" .

"You know, the couple's thing."

Clank raised an eyelid. "but i was under the impression that you two had already ha-"

"Not what I meant." Ratchet cut him off. "We're, uhh , gonna get married."

Clank smiled, Ratchet had expected that reaction, but it had still been a hard thing to say.

Then, something clouded across Clank's face. "That is wonderful, Ratchet." He said, sounding upset. "Are you ok?" Ratchet asked.

Clank sighed, He knew that this was coming. "I am fine, but, I think it is time that I went."

"What?"

Now it was Clank's turn to feel unsure of what to say. "I am truly happy for both of you, but I made a promise to myself a long time ago, That when you found a family of your own then I would return to the great clock."

Ratchet felt distraught, "but I-"

"Ratchet, I will still see you, but I need to do what I was meant for, I have my future ahead of me as you have yours."

Clank watched as the Lombax looked broken. "Well, I guess I can't talk you out of this." He began to smile a little. "Well, can you at least stay until the wedding? I really don't want to ask Quark to be my best man."

Clank smiled. "I would like that."

That had been nearly two years ago, He rolled over and looked at the sleeping figure next to him. She stirred, and glanced at Ratchet. "Couldn't sleep?" She asked, groggily. Ratchet smiled. He missed Clank, but he was happy, happier than ever. "I'm fine, tal, just got up to get a glass of water." Talwyn smiled, fully aware that he was lying. "I don't mind that you're thinking about Clank, but remember what happened to the last guy who lied to me?" She teased. Ratchet smiled, as he watched her doze off again.

"Goodnight, Tal."