Well, here's chapter four. Sorry if it's kind of short. LOL. I was having a huge brain fart when I wrote this so throw me freaking bone, people. :) Anyways, it might be a while before I update. I don't know where to go exactly with the next chapter and I could use all the help you guys can offer! So, Hellmouth2, here's your chance to help out! LOL. Now before I begin rambling, I'm going to get to all the reviews.

Lunatic Pandora1: Ah, and righto you are my dear Pandora! What I have in mind for Ratchet might surprise even the best of you all! Keep updated and thank you for reading!

angelgardian666: Hello and thanks for reading my story. Since you liked this one, you should go and read my others. You may find them rather funny.

hellmouth2: Aw! I want to thank one of my favorite reviewers! hugs This chapter here is the latest one. I have nothing else written so far. DAMN, I'm pathetic. LOL. Anyways, I'd love all the help I can get! see above

ShiroNekoNyao: huggles You're so nice! I was so surprised to get your review! You really inspired me to keep this up even though I am having quite the brain fart right now! Here's the newest chapter fresh of the counter! Enjoy and I look forward to your next review!

Ratchet sat quietly in Keira's kitchen flipping through some of her mechanical manuals and whatnot. This place was pretty primative compared to his home. As he flipped boredly through the pages he began to wonder if this planet was even marked at all. It had never shown up on his radar before he crashed. He had just been lucky enough to spot it. He let out a small sigh, feeling depressed. He missed his home planet, Veldin, now more than ever.
Ratchet heard a small knock and he flicked back his ears, trying to catch a bit of the conversation. He heard someone get up to answer the door and recognised Keira's footsteps. The door creaked open and Keira happily greeted another person.

"Sorry I'm late Keira. I've been... busy..."

Ratchet didn't recognised the new voice and kept himself still. He couldn't hear any fear in Keira's voice and he relaxed slightly. This person was a good friend of hers. He heard footsteps approaching the kitchen. Keira wasn't alone. His ears flattened back threateningly and he glanced up at the figures in the doorway.

A young man, looking around nineteen stood next to Keira in a relaxed position. Keira glanced up at the guy, beaming, then looked back towards Ratchet. "Ratchet! This is the guy I was talking about! I'd like you to meet Jak!" Ratchet relaxed, most worry gone. He grinned and quirked an eyebrow in their direction. "Ah. So you're the brave savior she keeps yapping about , eh?" he asked. Keira chuckled and Jak seemed sorta lost. "Uh. Yeah. That would be me..."

A fuzzy head poked itself around Jak's leg, eyeing Ratchet with suspicion. "WOW! You look a lot better than you did when we came for ya! Holy Yakkows! We thought for sure you were a gonner!" the small creature spoke. Keira looked slightly exasperated and motioned towards Daxter. "And THIS is Daxter." She rolled her eyes, motioning for Jak and Daxter to sit at the table. They plopped down, both eyeing Ratchet.

Ratchet laughed quietly, watching Jak and Daxter. "No need to worry. I don't bite." Jak and Daxter exchanged quick glances then looked at Keira. She laughed and sat down next to Jak. "What's wrong, Jak?" she asked. Jak shrugged and replied, "I don't know. I guess I'm still getting over the fact that I've just broken a creature from a completely different galaxy outta prison."

Ratchet shrugged and replied coolly, "S'pose that could shock a person." Jak nodded quickly and exchanged another glance with Keira. Ratchet rose an eyebrow, his curiosity getting the best of him. "So," he asked calmly. "You two have something going on?"

Keira blushed and Jak became flustered. "Uh, no." he stammered. "We're friends, close friends." Ratchet shrugged. "Sorry, my bad." he said with a half laugh. Daxter leapt up on the table and motioned to the two in the doorway with a sly grin. "Ah, don't let the lovebirds fool you." he said loudly. "They're completly digging eachother. IN FACT, they did have a little mojo going on before-"

Daxter didn't get to finish. Jak leapt across the table and grabbed Daxter roughly. He tried to catch his balance, but skid across to the other end and fell off with a low moan and some muffled swearing from Daxter.

Ratchet lowered his arms back onto the table after flinging them up to avoid being knocked off his chair. A long pause had fallen over the room. Daxter was trying futivly to escape from Jak's murderous glare. Jak was too busy sending death threats to Daxter and Keira just looked completely shocked. In a sense, he felt extremely uncomfortable. He cleared his throat and got up slowly. "Well, I uh... I'm just going to go...." He motioned towards the door and Keira moved over for him. He sent one more curious look at Jak and his furry pal before brushing past Keira.

Jak watched Ratchet go with slight embarresment. He cast one more dark look at Daxter before getting back up. Brushing the dirt of his pants he gave a small sheepish smile to Keira. "Well... It was nice seeing you again." he said quickly. Keira looked surprised to see him ready to go so soon. "Don't you want to stay longer?" she asked. Jak avoided her stare and scooped up Daxter. "We've got a few things we need to do." With that said he walked past Keira and out the door.

Keira watched him go with a hurt expression on her face. Her arms fell to her sides and she leaned against the doorway, watching him leave. She sighed deeply and waved even though she knew he wouldn't notice. "It was nice talking to you too." she muttered under her breath as Jak revved up the engine and sped off.

"You okay?"

Keira spun around to see Ratchet standing a few feet away. She felt a warm blush fall over her cheeks and looked down at the floor. "Yeah, I'm cool." she replied back. Ratchet nodded slightly. "Uhm-hmm." he said with a slight grin. He turned around and walked to the large living room window that he had become accustomed to looking out of. He leaned up against the pane and peered out at the people walking below. He didn't worry about being seen because he wouldn't be seen clearly from the people below.

He heard Keira walk into her bedroom and he leaned back out of the window. As he studied the life below him a strange noise caught his ears. His eyes narrowed slightly and he turned around. There! He caught the noise again and pricked up his ears to catch it. If he wasn't mistaken, it sounded almost like someone was crying.

Ratchet walked quietly down the hallway and stopped at Keira's door. His ears perked up and he listened with shock. It was Keira who was crying. He stood by the closed door, his hand against it ready to push it open. He paused and considered it for a moment. With a deep breath, he pushed the door gently and it creaked open. He peered in and saw Keira on the other side of her bed with her head in her hands. She had stopped crying for the moment and turned to face her wall.

"What do you want?" she asked rudely. Ratchet, slightly taken aback, considered just leaving her, but decided not to. He stepped into the room and cleared his throat. "Are you okay? I mean, is there anything you wanna talk about?" he asked. Keira didn't answer and he felt extremely uncomfortable. "Well, if you do need to talk, I'll just be in the main room..." He took a step back and was just reaching for the doorknob when Keira turned around suddenly. She put her hand out and replied, "Wait!" Ratchet, slightly surprised, turned around to see her staring back at him. Her eyes red and her cheeks tearstained.

"Don't go..." she said quietly. Ratchet released the doorknob and took a step towards her. She motioned for him to sit down next to her. He walked across the room and sat down a few feet away from her. Keira remained quiet and he searched for something to say. "It's about Jak, isn't it?" he finally asked. Keira nodded and sniffed but still didn't speak. "Do you... uh... have any feelings for him?" he asked this gently, not wanting to push her into talking about something she was uncomfortable with.

Keira gave a small sob and suddenly fell into his arms, crying. Ratchet stared at her in complete shock, not quite knowing how to react to something like this. It wasn't very often someone fell into his arms sobbing. He put his arms around her shoulders and gave her a reasuring hug.

"I don't know what to do..." he heard her say. "What am I doing wrong?" she asked. Ratchet stared down at her, still speechless. "You're not doing anything wrong." he replied back. "I guess he just needs time..." he said slowly trying to make her feel better. Keira sniffed and kept her face buried on his shoulder, still crying. "He's changed so much. It's like he's a complete stranger..." she muttered. Ratchet sighed and patted her back, much like one does to an upset child. "Eco can do that to a person." he said quietly. He knew that firsthand. Keira didn't move and he felt her relax a bit. "What's it like?" he heard her ask. "Does it hurt?"

Ratchet gave her a slightly confused look. "Does what hurt?" he asked her. She looked up at him for a brief moment then said softly, "Eco. When they do whatever they do... Is it painful?" Ratchet looked away, refusing to meet her gaze. It was hard for him talk about. "No..." he muttered in reply. "It's far beyond pain... more than agony... more than anything you can ever imagine."

Keira had finally stopped crying, but still remained in his arms. "Is that why Jak's so different?" she asked. Ratchet thought a moment then replied. "Maybe, maybe not. I don't think it's the eco that changed him so much. It's just the fact that he's so bent on revenge. So badly that he becomes blind to everything else around him."

Keira nodded along quietly and became quiet. After a while she looked back up at him. "Thank you Ratchet... Thanks for listening. It helps, you know." Ratchet didn't reply, but stared ahead, his face neutral. He felt her lean on him again and gave her another reasuring hug. He sat with her until her breathing became relaxed and regular. He looked at her relaxed face and knew she had fallen asleep.

Ratchet shifted her weight and let her fall back into the bed. He pulled the covers over her and stood up quietly, as not to wake her. When he was sure she was asleep, he tip-toed out of the room, shutting the door behind him. He walked into the living room, remaining silent. As he sat down on the sofa, he heard Clank's tiny footsteps. He watched as his friend hauled himself onto the sofa next to him but didn't say anything.

Clank studied him for a moment, beaming, Ratchet, becoming uncomfortable under Clanks tedious stare finally turned to face him. "Why are you looking at me like that?" he asked in a grumpy tone. Clank grinned and leaned back. "You're really good with people, you know that?" he said. Ratchet quirked an eyebrow and replied, "Why do you say that?" Clank shrugged. "Not too many people would put up with her in that condition and do what you did. That was quite nice of you."

Ratchet sighed and leaned back along with Clank. "I don't know..." he said sadly. "She was upset and needed someone to talk to." Clank nodded and contined to stare at Ratchet. "You know what, Ratchet?" he asked. Ratchet looked over at Clank. "What?" he replied coolly. Clank grinned and sat up. "You've grown up more than you'll ever know..."

Aww! I added a bit of fluff. And just for future references, Ratchet and Keira do not and will not EVER have a relationship of anykind. They're just friends. So, don't ask me if they have a thing for eachother... BECAUSE THEY DON'T! Besides, Ratchet's not even her same species!