Authors note: Some of this scene is straight out of the video game along with the au stuff I had mentioned earlier regarding to how the scene is altered with Ratchet's decision.

CH.5: Reunion pt 3

It was on the day of the aftermath of the big battle that faced both of their times. Ratchet was exhausted, drained, and yet somehow fulfilled. Kit had decided to stick around with Rivet, so, naturally the two of them were now a team much like how he and Clank were.

The conversation went a little something like this.

The battle of the Nefarious was put to rest and it looked like Kit and Rivet had reconciled and came together as a team once more. Clank was still without one arm and he just happened to mosey on over.

It was nice seeing the two get along but more then that...it was nice that they all had managed to survive this fight. Even so...the thought of not being with Rivet left a sized hole in his chest. In the back of his mind part of him thought of making a pit stop, before seeing the two of them off. It just felt right, and, it would keep them from parting ways too soon. However he also saw this as valuable time these two could use together.

Ugh, he deliberated it and finally came to this decision. Looking back at it all he could think was why he was so stupid.

"I guess its time to go home huh?" He looks up at Rivet seated atop Kit like that. Her beauty not lost on him but so far he hadn't been able to say as much.

Rivet slides down from Kit and responses easily. "Yeah. Our dimension could use a couple heroes right about now."

Ratchet clears his throat. "Well...I really wish you two the best. You two have some exciting adventures ahead of you so make the most of them."

He saw it in her eyes, saw that maybe that wasn't what she had been looking for. "Oh, yeah, we plan to. I guess this is sayonara for now huh?"

"Right, but, if you ever wind up in trouble you know how to reach me...and Clank of course." Ratchet rubs at the back of his neck.

"Sure, same applies to us. Well...you two keep safe now, so, do we like hug or is this one of those awkward handshakes?" Ratchet laughs along with Rivet and all the while Clank and Kit just observe where they are.

"Put it there, partner," and so they shake hands. Rivet goes to climb up on top of Kit and the two of them fly off. Ratchet is left there waving after her feeling like he should've mentioned making a pit stop along the way, keeping her there just a bit longer. However the words never came out, and, he was left feeling a loss for it.


Ratchet groans as he sits up and realizes he isn't dead. Strange, regret kind of came with the territory and somehow he was alive to hold that regret down. "I'm not dead?"

"No, you aren't Ratchet," he looks over or rather attempts to but finds he can only see out of one eye.

"Rivet...you are here...but how?" He felt his cheeks redden and he tries to bury his feelings for her until he figures things out.

"Well when you and Clank parted ways with us we kind of did a bit of exploring of our own. We spent time back in our own dimension doing the whole hero thing but it never felt, whole, like something was missing. Turns out a certain Lombax had worked his way...anyway my point is things were left unfinished and figured it worth seeing if that were the case. Anyway we needed a job to make ends meet and somehow joining the Rangers would only complicate things."

Ratchet was beginning to see where this was heading. He didn't like it though, and, seeing how she worked for Rex and the stories he heard from Grim, it unsettled him.

"You became a racer for one of the wealthiest and dirtiest of scum in all the galaxy, that sum it up?" Ratchet could barely keep the derision out of his tone.

"Ratchet, you don't know Rex, he has given me purpose and I would know if someone were not being honest with me. I mean it was pretty clear you didn't want to part ways back then but you did-."

"That was different, look Rivet, the stories Grim has told me about Rex is not something to be taken lightly. You need to get out while-."

"Ah, I see you finally met my racer, isn't she something? Ouch, those wounds look pretty bad, but then again nobody has beaten Barry, the fact you are even alive is merit only given by your mentor. Speaking of your mentor he has already been driven off to the main ship. So sorry you two didn't get to exchange any parting words-."

"Rex...let Rivet go! I will drive in her place!" Ratchet tries to get up but pain shoots through his arm and it is still difficult looking out of one eye so he was quite drained.

"You couldn't even handle yourself in a one on one against Barry, no, my decision is already made. Plus something tells me you won't be going anywhere for a bit, so, rest up those injuries champ and who knows maybe I'll see you out on the track, ooh, but deadline is fast approaching so maybe not. Come along Rivet we have some practice runs to make yet."

Ratchet grumbled some not liking this one bit. Rivet clearly wasn't too happy with him right now and he wished he had gone ahead and taken that detour with her back then.

"Ratchet, not sure what has come over you...but I can take care of myself. I had hoped meeting again things would be...different...but...something has changed in you. Clank look after him for me and Kit sends her regards. Nice job on the racer though...and...don't you worry about Grim, guy seems like he can take care of himself."

Ratchet reaches out for Rivet but she already has her back to him as she walks off. Had he changed? Ratchet sighs as he lays back down looking up at the ceiling.

"It would appear the situation has turned even more dire," Clank notes, "so what is the plan now Ratchet?"

Ratchet turns his head watching as Rivet drives off and in the distance he can make out the huger ship to take them off world. "What can I do Clank? I have no way of going after them and even if I did not like I could say anything to change either mind, that of Rex or Rivet."

"You need time to heal, but, it may also help if you had something to keep your mind busy. I have some calls to make, but, the best solution to your problem is usually the easiest solution."

"That makes no sense...and what do you mean calls?" He didn't dare get up from his position so he lay there contemplating Clank's cryptic advice. He only hoped that Rivet would be ok.

Authors note: Switching gears next chapter as we now go to the point of view of Rivet.