Chapter 3

Uncertain feelings

Rivet made her down the stairs to the kitchen where hopefully the two sly robots will be there. She couldn't believe that Clank and Kit would spy on them especially when she cried. She will teach them a lesson not to spy on them. She arrived at the kitchen but they weren't there. She must have scared them or just simply tried to her. But she continued to the garage where she found them at the Aphelion, they seemed to be checking the ship but she knew that they were just pretending to avoid her. So she walked there and she heard Clank said to Kit: " Just act natural" and they both grabbed a wrench and a screwdriver to look like they were repairing the wing.

"You know that Ratchet used a moment ago." said Rivet with her arms crossed. She was looking at them seriously.

The two bots looked at each other, they realized they were dumb to escape from her and they turned around to her direction. Both of them didn't say a word for a moment but Kit spoke: "Rivet we are sorry for spying on both of you, we were disrespectful and we understand if you don't forgive us" said Kit with a sad tone. She didn't even look up, she was too ashamed to look into her eyes. Rivet's heart almost shattered at the sight and almost shed a tear. Meanwhile Clank was listening all along, he walked over to her and touched her back and said: "No you don't have to apologize to her, because I brought you into this, this was my idea and I should be the one to apologize to her." and he turned to Rivet and said: " I'm sorry for this inconvenience and if you want to be mad at someone then I'm here but don't Kit is innocent, don't be mad at her." Rivet's and Kit's eyes went wide as Clank just took responsibility for all of this. Kit looked at him like he murdered someone but she grabbed his hand and said: "No this was our plan we just wanted to see how Rivet will react when she sees Ratchet." explained Kit but Clank didn't want Rivet and Kit's relationship to be bad. "No this was my idea from the beginning and I insisted to come with me and that was a stupid from me." he looked into her eyes and grabbed her hands, "I'm sorry for this and I hope you forgive me."

Rivet who watched all this was feeling all kinds of emotions but she was unsure what she should do because both of them were ashamed and hurt. She looked at Clank who took all the blame and even wanted an apology from Kit too. She saw something in Clank and she knew that Clank has feelings for Kit. She saw how he defended Kit and was sorry for her and this made her smile, he reminded her of Ratchet.

"Ok guys look….." tried to get their attention and continued: "'I'm not mad at you, not even at you Kit and not even at you Bolts. I just want to be clear that we have private conversations and I want you to respect them ok? he asked them politely, she crouched down to them and reached out both her hands to shake them in agreement. They looked at her like she was just joking but both of them slowly reached her hands and shaked it. Rivet was glad they worked out something and hoped that they would work together but not on them. The robots were a little confused by how this went but they were to reach an agreement. Then Kit quickly hugged Clank for how he defended her and was scared what punishment he would get but she was happy for him. On the other hand Clank was scared what they would get from Rivet but he was glad too for the outcome and enjoyed Kit's hug.

"So everything's fine then?" asked Clank, still unsure about the situation.

"Yeah why? What do you think I should have done? Hit you with my hammer?" Giggled Rivet at her question. Like they believed that she would do something like that.

"Well you looked at us like you were going to kill us." explained Clank remembering her look from a moment ago when she accompanied Ratchet.

"Well Bolts, you are my friend too and I would never do such a thing, you can be sure about that." said Rivet while she petted both of their heads.

Clank was relieved and happy that Rivet was understanding and not a violent person who likes to smash bad robots.

"Why don't you go outside and I don't know, play or explore around? I'm pretty sure you will find something interesting." suggested Rivet who wanted the robots to bond together. Also she wanted some alone time while they did their thing.

"I think that's an excellent idea, want to join me?" looked at Kit Clank and she nodded. They walked out the garage and started exploring the environment around them. Rivet saw how happy they were together and that made her think about her and Ratchet. She blushed at the thought because Ratchet would be too kind for her and she didn't know how to be good for Ratchet. But another thought hit her head, she would be together with ,,herself'', her counterpart, she couldn't deny that Ratchet looked like her and had similarities between them. She remembered what he said back in the kitchen, did he have feelings for her? That's why he was so sweet and gentle to her? She knows that if he confesses that will break his heart because she has to reject him. The idea of being together with her counterpart, with herself just made her disgusted. She didn't want this, this was so complicated. If Ratchet wakes up she will talk to him and close this idea forever, even if it means it will hurt him.

She sat on the couch and turned on the television where a female Tyhrranoid talked about a new threat.

"Breaking news! Another Emperor Nefarious site has been exploded by Boomer, that is what he calls himself that Blarg who destroyed Nefarious Club yesterday. Now we show one of the survivors who experienced the events more closely." and they showed a Markazian who had bandages on his body and talked in total fear: " He was…. so fast…. that I couldn't even…..react." This made Rivet just more curious. It sounded like that Blarg is dangerous and should be handled immediately. She will have to call the team together on this one and discuss it. The television turned back to the female Tyhrranoid and said: "We recommend Corson V citizens to stay at home until the investigation is closed."

Rivet turned off the tv and headed to the Aphelion to be sure it's ready when Boomer appears again. She checked the wings,the engine and the communication system. All appeared to be fine, Ratchet knows how to repair and maintain such a ship. After she checked everything she went to the kitchen to look what Ratchet brought from the grocery.

She pulled out a cereal with milk,yoghurts, sugar and some fruits like watermelon, blueberries, oranges and strawberries. This made her smile and hungry. She was fond of fruits because she loved eating healthy products that made her fit and strong. She picked some blueberries and strawberries and ate them while giggling. She wanted to put away the bag but she felt something heavy in it and pulled out. She found a box of cupped ice cream in it, this was her favourite. She looked at where Ratchet was sleeping and smiled down on the box. She then thought about what Ratchet will eat when he wakes up? She had an idea.

Some time later

Ratchet woke up after hours of sleep and he was feeling okay, despite the fact that it was night already. He got up and yawned so big that his fangs were shown. He went to the bathroom and took a cold shower. When he exited the bathroom Rivet was waiting for him outside with a big smile on her head.

"I hope you slept well!" said Rivet with a pleasant smile. She prepared a surprise meal for him.

"First: Thank you! and second: How did you know that I woke up?" He was confused by how she knew this.

"The pipes told me. I heard you taking a shower." explained Rivet pointed at the walls.

"Ah, I see!" Ratchet looked at Rivet and scratched his head while smirking.

"If you are ready, then come eat!" suggested Rivet who started to go to the kitchen and hoped that Ratchet would follow her.

"Yeah I'm coming." said Ratchet who never refuses a meal from a friend and was curious what he would eat.

They approached the kitchen where on the table there were four bowls, next to them were spoons and glasses full of orange juice. This made Ratchet intrigued who never saw something like this and wanted to know what they were. They smelled delicious and he quickly sat down and looked down at the first bowl where he saw a red liquid in it.

"Wow, it's so colorful and smells good. What is this?" asked Rivet who sat down next to Ratchet.

"That's strawberry soup, the other one is fruit salad and orange juice." answered Rivet who took the spoon and pointed Ratchet to do the same and taste it. She wanted him to first try it and ask his opinion. Ratchet then grabbed the spoon and slowly put it in his mouth, swallowed it, then he looked at Rivet with a serious face.

"Rivet, I'm disappointed in you." said Ratchet in a disappointed tone, Rivet's face looked stunned then sad and she looked down in shame. Then Ratchet continued: "How could you lie about to me that you are a great cook, you are the best host!" and he continued eating. Rivet was surprised how sly Ratchet was and smacked his shoulder with her metal arm.

"You Dumbax, you got me!" giggled Rivet at him. Ratchet looked at her and laughed with her and they both returned to their meals. They finished their soup and started eating the salad. Ratchet was enjoying his salad and that made Rivet happy too, she loved seeing Ratchet smiling especially now when he eats what she made for him.

" I wanted to surprise you with this and thank you for all the help that you gave me with Clank and Kit." said Rivet with a pleasant smile.

"That's what friends are for,right? answered Ratchet who raised his glass.

"To friendship and more!" toasted Ratchet and waited for Rivet to do the same. Rivet raised her glass too and said:" To friendship and more!" and they started drinking the orange juice.

"Did you see Clank and Kit? asked Ratchet when he finished his drink.

"They were outside, now they are in the garage.I think they are dating." answered Rivet.

"Finally they are together, I knew it." said Ratchet in a victorious tone. He knew that this would be inevitable and hoped that they would be happy. He believed that Clank and Kit were a perfect couple. Meanwhile Rivet looked at him in confusion.

"Wait, you knew that they would be together?" asked Rivet. She didn't know that Ratchet expected all of this.

"If you saw the signs then you are 100% sure that they had feelings. I saw the signs at Kit." said Ratchet.

" I saw the signs at Clank." said Rivet. Ratchet then gave her a "See" look and turned all of his attention to was now or never

"Rivet, I have something to tell you and I am aware of the answer already." grabbed both of her hands and looked into her eyes. Rivet on the other hand was blasted by this move but she already knew what she would do. Rivet will break his heart.

"You had a special place in my heart from the beginning and I want you to know that you will always have that place whatever happens. I just want to say that I love you and you are a beautiful and amazing person." Ratchet almost choked at his words because of how heavy this was for him but he continued: " I know you probably think that I love myself, but that's wrong." Ratchet pointed out and touched Rivet's cheek. " You are not me, you are much better than me, this is the difference between us." Rivet listened to all of his words carefully and looked at him with a hurt look. Her heart broke by what he said, he hated herself for doing this but she knew that this would be wrong. Ratchet still waited for her to say something but she didn't want to do this. She grabbed his hand and slowly pulled away from her cheek and looked at his eyes.

"Ratchet…. I …..I….can't." Rivet started crying. Ratchet then hugged her. Rivet accepted it and cried on his shoulders.

"It's ok, I shouldn't have asked it." said Ratchet who felt guilty for making her cry and caressed Rivet on her back.

"No." said Rivet while sobbing. " You had to do it. I understand." said Rivet while she enjoyed Ratchet's hug. "I just want one thing, Ratchet." Then she released from the hug and looked into his eyes: "I just want to be friends, ok? Rivet made it clear for Ratchet.

"Ok, I understand and respect your decision." Ratchet forced a fake smile for Rivet to make sure everything's alright with him. Rivet smiled at him that he was an understanding and gentle lombax. She offered a hug for him showing that she still accepts him. Ratchet while still smiling he went for it. He wanted this hug to last forever, to feel her warm arms and to make sure he is safe too. But this was a dream that will never happen. Ratchet still wanted to hold her, but Rivet decided to end this.

"Are you ok?" asked Ratchet to her just to be sure. He saw her red eyes but no tears were coming from them.

"Yeah I think. I will just go to bed and please don't tell them ok? Let them be happy together without our situation." requested Rivet to Ratchet.

"As you wish:" nodded Ratchet. "And good night!" smiled at her once again.

"Good night you too!" smiled back and with that she went upstairs.

Ratchet watched her leave and sat down at the table. He had thousands of thoughts in his mind and all he feels now is just depression. He hoped that she would accept him but that would have been crazy in this situation. He decided that no matter who he is to her, he will still protect her and make her happy. He chose to go to sleep and hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. He made his way into the garage where he saw Clank and Kit in sleep mode next to each other. They were next to the couch where Ratchet will sleep. He walked slowly to the couch and laid down. He covered himself in a blanket and slowly drifted to sleep. But his mind will make sure he doesn't get a proper sleep.