Hopefully by beginning next week I can have chapters 8 and 9 out as those ones will like this revolve around the relations, perhaps even some extra things. Depends if I find the time!

Sorry if this chapter is a bit long, but I found it important to create a better friendship between both Ratchet and Abel, whilst keeping the story realistic! Comments are always welcome.

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Nanotech and Lombax-sitting

As Ratchet opened his eyes, he noticed that he had drifted into sleep a while back. Trying move his arms a jolt of pain surged trough his spine telling him to just lay still and rest, not that he could move much as he was a little restrained to make sure the Lombax wouldn't make any sudden moves.

As he started to breathe a little more relaxed he felt a strange tingle in his chest, he couldn't pinpoint what it was but it sure felt like shit to him. The doctor on watch noticed that the patient had awoken.

As doctor Helsing checked some of the vital signs he made his way towards ratchet's bed grasping his clipboard and ticking some things on it, Ratchet alas could not view what the doctor was writing down, nor if it was good as the face was covered by the large board itself. "You know…" the doctor started speaking "… next time you take such a joyride, make sure that you think of your body first instead of winning. You Lombaxes might be strong, but you are also very stubborn. It was actually that stubbornness that made sure you survived until you had finally reached the bloody hangar… Pfff pilots crazy I tell you!" he said turning away from the captain still keeping his clipboard near him. Ratchet finally got the courage to ask what had happened to him, as he had heard something but it was to far off at the time to fully understand what had been said. "So doc, is it bad?" the doctor's eye opened a bit as his eyebrow went up "Well besides several broken ribs, some cuts and bruises your actually alright. We have already given you a small portion of nanotech. But the most important thing is that you rest some more. In around an hour we will give another nanotech treatment!"

Ratchet whimpered as the doctor left, leaving him all alone in that room. Oh how he wished he wasn't as stubborn sometimes but heck that's what you get for being overconfident and not wanting to loose no matter what. "Seems like I paid the price for it" he chuckled before quickly trying to grasp for his stomach as pain yet again surged trough his body. A small knocking on the door informed him someone was there, it seemed that Abel and Clank came to visit the poor chap. "Oh ratchet, you should be more careful next time!" said Clank in a worried voice, jumping up a small chair to get closer to his friend. Abel on the other hand had brought Bolt with him as he placed the small Lombax next to ratchet's bed and gave it something to nibble on. "Well Abel, seems like you are more skilled then I am hehe..;Ouch!" he yelled as Bolt jumped on ratchet chest at which he not only got a very stern look from both Clank and Abel but also that Abel took away his small treat much to Bolt's dismay who frankly began to shout small words "MINE!!! Back!!!NOW!!!!" he shouted, which actually made Ratchet giggle seeing as the small version of him wanted to eat badly. Tough seeing Bolt like that made his own stomach growl as it had not gotten anything since the race. "Say ummm do you perhaps have something to eat? I'm starving…" "The doctor said it that's why we are here, Ratchet. Tough I can't "feed" you Abel is much more then capable of giving you both your nanotech as well as your lunch." This surprised ratchet a bit, Abel giving him the stuff? Normally that was the work of the doctor, he wondered why the doctor would have ever agreed to such a demand, but oh well he wasn't complaining he just wanted to eat something even if he got all his medication and food inserted into his body via several tubes.

"Firstly…" said Abel as he brought his hand behind Ratchet's back making sure not to touch any bruises "… let's set you upright so you at least can eat a bit. I do hope you don't mind hospital food? As the doctor clearly said nothing else then that for the next several days!" the green eyed Lombax couldn't figure out if he was to enjoy this or hate it. Hospital food was never something he liked, but he had such an appetite right now that he did not care what they gave as long as it was food. "Abel set the dish over ratchet so that he could easily grasp it, but to both Lombaxes surprise ratchet could not move his limbs at all, perhaps because they were still sedated to much to make sure he wouldn't feel to much pain from the cuts and bruises. And well who would to experience the pain of several broken ribs eh? "Mhhh this is going to be a problem, oh my!" Clank said as he noticed his friend couldn't move his arms. And well unlike with robots this could not be fixed within an hour or so be detaching the limb. Another problem he found very annoying for organics! Can't take of there limbs to heal faster! "I think Abel will be needed for this, Ratchet. Unless you wish to wait for another hour for the doctor?!" Clank giggled as he was enjoying this to much. "Clank once I'm out of this bed your toast!... Wait cancel that a toaster much better. This isn't funny you know. It's shameful enough already to not be able to do my duties, don't rub it in." he growled a little as Abel just watched with big puppy eyes at the captain in front of him. What Clank had said had some truth in it, either he would be fed by Abel, or he had to wait for the doctor. And how much Ratchet would not want it Abel himself would feel honoured in away. Besides this way he thought he at least could be close to his friend for a while even if it was in an awkward situation like this one.

"So what's it gonna be Ratchyboy?" he said almost laughing at what he called ratchet, knowing very well the Lombax was incapable do retaliating not only because he could miss out his food, but well because he couldn't do anything! His limbs were still sore and sedated to a point were he could only move them by a few inch… A small growl came from his throat as he didn't like how he was treated, but he had to admit it was a little bit his own fault. "Well just make this quick, I don't like it for one bit you know…" Ratchet said scolding a little before finally letting Abel pick of the spoon. "I know this is something you hate, but you can't sustain yourself no more." He said bringing the spoon full of food towards ratchet's mouth, the sent of food filling his nostrils with delight as it came closer and closer, his mouth beginning to form saliva at the mere thought of being able to eat. "Aaah this tastes good" he said once he had swallowed the first bit. Tough it did hurt a bit when it passed to his stomach he enjoyed the flavour to the utmost of his abilities… As Abel kept giving Ratchet more food, Clank watched as both Lombaxes seemed to enjoy it, Ratchet because he was eating, well mostly cause his hunger was fading away! And Abel because he felt less guilty, tough that didn't seem to be the only thing Abel liked…"Heheheheeee" giggled Clank as a high school girl as he enjoyed what he saw. "What's that you said Clank?" asked Ratchet with his mouth half full seemingly regaining some of his strength as he ate.

Bolt began to get frustrated at not gaining any attention from Abel. First his nibble was taken away then he got no more attention while this bigger version of him was even being fed. The small pet sank to the top of the table as is began to cry, and cry it did as Abel and both Ratchet tried to cover there ears at high pitched tone Bolt emitted. "What's the matter Bolt?" asked Abel curiously at the pet. "He attention…. I not!!" before crying more, much to everyone's frustration. "Well ratchet needs help little guy. I'll make it up to ya later today ok? What ya say? And if you behave there will be some chocolate for you." Blinking an eye to him, the magical C word made the pet jump with delight as it loved chocolate. Even if it meant waiting a few hours!

A few minutes, and a full tummy, later Ratchet gave out a sigh as his stomach felt good and so did he, except for the pain still souring trough his chest, but hey atleast he didn't have any hunger! At the same time the doctor came in again holding is clipboard as he saw Abel had just finished with giving Ratchet has food… "Mhhhhh, ummmm right….Looks ok…" he muttered some others things which all four of them couldn't hear very clearly. "Ratchet I'll be at the bridge making sure the ship gets prepared even with you not capable of doing anything we are still at war!" "Yea thanks, Clank… Oh and don't forget to keep Qwark away from anything electronic! Unless you want to blow up the ship." This made Abel burst out laughing but only got a small smile from the doctor who tried to stay calm. "Ok captain, I have good and bad news… Which would you prefer?" "Well let's start with the bad news then. Then Atleast I can be cheered up oh and doc when is my nanotech treatment? Cause I have this ache in my back you see…." This only made the eyebrow of the doctor go up a little. "Well the bad news is, is that you'll need to recover for a minimum three days! You will notice you can multiple things ones you regain your senses more and when the tranquilisers work off, but under no circumstances may you leave you bed! You need rest and for God's sake your are NOT allowed to do anything that requires physical labour." "Not even washing myself?!" Ratchet said as his eyes widened in shock, the fact that he couldn't do anything just made him sick in his stomach, if he had eaten anything else he would swear that his lunch was going to say hi again! "Indeed, not even that." "That's horrible how am I going to stay clean you think this fur stays clean on itself doc?" "Captain Ratchet I fully know what the problems of fur are!" said doctor Helsing frankly as he showed his own furry skin to the Lombax "I know that you will need assistance with that then! And that is were the good news comes in…" "Being?" Ratchet asked coldly, well his day was screwed anyway so it didn't matter at all. Abel tough couldn't hold his laugh in no more as Bolt just didn't understand why Abel was laughing.

"Seeing as Abel has done such a fine job at helping you eat, I am appointing him as your Lombax-sitter for the next several days!" he said with a smile. Now both males were shocked to say the least. Abel helping Ratchet for three full days? As Abel began to form a very big smile almost wanting to jump into the air, Ratchet on the contrary had the exact opposite of that as he felt doomed. Ok it could have been worse, like Qwark, Skidd, Helga or All. But still having Abel, who was very enthusiastic, around for three full days? He sighed quietly as he knew there was no point arguing that! "Oh well, Abel guess your stuck with me buddy!" ratchet said as Abel lunged at him, almost breaking another rib or so by shear strength…Ratchet cried in pain as Abel let go, getting a sign of relief from the injured Lombax and a sharp look from the doctor. "Abel, do be careful around him! He's injured after all… And we don't want him to break in two!" said the doctor. "Now Ratchet, you may go to your room tomorrow, but until then you need to stay in your bed, you should be able to move your arms better by that time. But do watch out with Abel and bolt! As your ribs aren't healed fully… That reminds me!" as he went towards a closet with strange bottles of radiant blue coming from them. "What are those?" asked Ratchet as he had never seen anything like it. "Liquid nanotech, especially handy if applied to the wounds! Or in your case injected into the bloodstream. Should you bleed it is nothing to worry about, just the nanotech taking care of your wounds." As Ratchet was amazed at this. Abel on the other hand was oblivious at what the doctor had said as he was still trying to keep Bolt calm and himself for that matter. As the doctor gave ratchet the blue substance via his injections, the pain that had crept in his chest seemed to fade away, a few of his cuts and bruises began to heal as well as the blue nanotech made it's way trough his entire body, it fell like a rush of adrenaline to the Lombax at first a experience one couldn't describe it was indescribable! But sadly the feeling faded away after a while. Much to Ratchet's disappointment who let out a small moan at the loss of feeling from it.

"I'll take my leave… Oh and Abel remember don't get to excited, he is your patient for a while. I will keep record of his progress but you will need to take care of him. For everything!" he said with a small grin as if he enjoyed that he was not the one to help ratchet with daily activities! "Well Ratchyboy seems like we are stuck together….hehehehe" "I am so going to kill you for that." Ratchet growled but both started laughing as soon as Bolt had tried to make his way over to Abel only to find something to bite on. "Bolt that's plastic! PLASTIC!!! You can't eat that…" as he reached out his hand to try and grab the fake fruit Bolt had discovered, he frankly shook his head whilst defending his "food" "MINE!" he screamed and with that tried to bite in it. Making both males grin at each other with delight.

The nanotech did wonders for Ratchet as he felt himself better every passing second, even with the feeling that had faded away. "At the bright side I at least get to command you around." Grinned ratchet as Abel just stood there smiling a fake smile, as he knew that ratchet would not make it easy for him. Well not easy in the sense of letting him go about doing stuff he liked that is. "But you do need your rest, especially with everything going on… And don't worry, Clank is filling in your job just fine." He assured ratchet that the ship was in capable hands. Just about the same time a knock was heard on the door, as a shadow formed over both Lombaxes, blinding them a bit from the light that was seen surrounding the body of the large creature. "RATCHET buddy, how are things? I heard what happened and I said to myself, Qwark you are needed with your mate. And well here I am." Qwark said laying down with a basket of fruit, which surprised Ratchet as it seemed to be the same basket Helga had given Qwark just a day ago! "Qwark are those the fruits Helga gave you?" "What do you mean?" Qwark said blushing a bit red as he quickly sat down besides Abel towering over the small Lombax, making Bolt seem even more tiny as he already was, and making Abel feel uncomfortable. "Perhaps I should check on you in a few minutes ratchet?" said Abel who quickly grabbed Bolt, still trying to bite in the plastic fruits, as he ran out of the room.

"So how do you feel? You know you remind me of me when I was your age! Only less damaged and more buffed." Qwark said as he stood up proudly showing of his famous abs again to the poor captain. "Did you come here to gloat or are you actually caring for my well being?" asked ratchet frankly at the large man. "Me not caring? Nonsense!... I just came here to ask how you felt, now if you had my muscles you would not be in this situation. Oh here have a Qwark fan doll. To pass the time." Qwark said as he stood up, making his way out of the room, but not before his head had "accidentally" hit the doorframe. "Mhhh darn these doors they should make em bigger, well Ratchet I'll see you again in a while." Qwark said before leaving the room, leaving Ratchet all alone once again. "Perhaps (yawn) I should get some sleep… Doctor's order!"

On the other side of the hallway Abel was glad to have escaped Qwark, not that he did not like the guy, but well he was weird! He glanced over at Bolt who stared at him with puppy eyes indicating he wanted something, but what Abel did not know. Perhaps being back with ratchet? Well it wouldn't surprise him one bit, as Bolt was a clone of Ratchet! "So Bolt you wanna go back I presume?" being greeted by several nods and ah "HMmmmmhhh!" from Bolt's side. Abel grinned as he thought about what he would actually do with the other Lombax. Feeding ratchet was something Abel had enjoyed a lot, seeing him well not completely helpless but the fact that ratchet needed his help and that he was able to offer this kind of assistance made him feel better if just a little. And the less pleasant things like bathing well they had to be done! Sure he had seen Ratchet naked and did not have a problem with it, but he would eventually need to bath the other male whether he, or ratchet, wanted to or not. Because Lombax fur was already hard to keep clean if one bathed every day, but doing it for someone else would be another matter.

Once he got back in the infirmary e was greeted by the snoring sound of one particular friend he knew. "Ooh is that not cute Bolt? He's fallen asleep…" Abel said as he folded his arms togheter at the sight of Ratchet snoring. Bolt immediately yawned at seeing his larger version asleep. "You are tired as well?" Abel blinked in surprise as Bolt made his way towards one of Ratchet's hands snuggling himself between it to keep itself warm. "Perhaps I better come back in an hour or three" he said quietly as he left for the 5th time the room he had been in.

Meanwhile on the bridge Clank was busy with preparing the ship as his friend had ordered a while back. He received every update via the computer or via the personal. Up until now nothing major important showed any signs of decay or irregularities. Well except a few small things like All's cappuccino machine which made the scientist go berserk, trying to find a good cup of coffee. "Are you sure you won't let the cappuccino machine be fixed, Clank? I really need to my cup of coffee about now you know." Said All as a very confused Abel walked into the room who only was greeted by a now very angry scientist. "What's his problem? I mean I know All to be a happy guy but this is just not like him" said the Lombax approaching Clank. "Ratchet what did you do to your hai…ooh it's you Abel, I'm sorry I was thinking it was Ratchet who came in, you two look so much alike." Clank apologised as Abel made his towards the small robot saying it was alright. "Any words on this GIRL group?" asked Abel out of curiosity. Clank sadly had no Intel on them, it had been quiet to quiet for his taste. If there was one thing he had learned with ratchet over the past several years was that if it was quiet there was bound to be trouble!

"Yea… I know the feeling." "You do?" but Abel did not respond to the question Clank asked. "I wonder Abel why you keep some things hidden for us! "Do you tell ratchet everything you do in private? Besides flushing out your radiator core?" winked Abel to a now red turning Clank… "I…I do not know what your talking about." "Well then we both know things we only wish for ourselves to know." Said the blue eyed Lombax towards Ratchet's friend. "So when will the ship be fully operational?" "It will only take about 2.4 days, the hyper drives are still offline but that should be fixed… But I have heard that you will be Lombax-sit Ratchet?!" Clank voice went up as he found it strange to have someone sit on someone. "Wait I'm going to "sit" on him Clank! It's a term you know. I'm just going to help him with several things that is all." He assured Clank that nothing bad would happen to ratchet, well not if Abel had anything to say or do about that! "So the hyper drives eh? Maybe I can have a look t them?!" "I'm afraid that won't be a good idea! The compartment for that is out of reach for organic life forms like yourself. It would result in a quick and painful death because of the radiation! Only robots like myself or the technical crew have access to it, and naturally Ratchet but he wouldn't want to get even within a few cubits of the device. Unless you don't mind putting on several pounds of heavy gear and equipment! And then I not even told you about the needed safety measures!"

Abel nodded in agreement, even if he was strong and fast, he still was not able to handle radiation like robots could. He sighed in despair for not being able to help, but he did fix the cappuccino machine once again which had made All's day complete again once he got back. "Well I'll be checking on ratchet oh and Clank keep me informed will ya? That way I can help Ratchet if need be…" the Lombax said as Clank nodded, making sure that Abel would be the first to know of any progress. Be it about the ship or the GIRL organisation.

Moments later and a few rooms from the bridge away ratchet yawned as he opened his eyes. He tried to lift his arm and his tail, but it was to no avail as the only lifted for a few inches still. "Darn it! My head and my mouth work fine, but my damm arms won't budge!" he growled as he began cursing some very unpleasant words for both organics and robots alike! He hated not being capable of doing things and to make it worse, he needed to go to the bathroom…Quickly!!! "Man this stinks, and it will stink literally where is that damm doctor when you need him!"

Some decks lower at a certain room "I have four queens, read em and wheep people!" said doctor Helsing.

"I get the feeling he isn't coming back… And I need to go really bad! Fuck it all." Ratchet scowled as he was feeling very annoyed not to say embarrassed as he began shouting, he would not care who heard him as long as anyone just came to help him. "GUYS?!!!....ANYONE!!! This sucks. I can't even get to the fucking bathroom like this. OUCH!" he yelled as he felt another sting in his chest, it was then that he calmed down a bit seeing that whilst turning himself up like that would only result in another sting of pain. And that he wanted to avoid. As Abel ran into the room having heard the plea coming from the room itself Ratchet was delighted of seeing a familiar face. "ABEL Thank God! Where the hell is everyone? I've been shouting for like 2 bloody minutes." He said "Well it seems there preparing the ship. These decks have been checked first so that's why I assume the doctor is to the lower parts, I heard something about a small accident, involving a banana gun?" Abel asked to ratchet hoping he would know what was going on. But sadly the poor Lombax had no idea at all. "So what's the big emergency?" At this ratchet turned a bit red as he began to tell "Well I need to…this is so embarrassing! I need to go to the bathroom you know… Nature calls." He said turning even a much bigger red, his fur began to glow at certain places cause of it! Only to get a small giggle from Abel, which ratchet in his current state had not noticed yet.

"Well ummm let's see how we, by which I mean I can help you." He said blinking to ratchet unnerving the male some more. "Firstly let's get you up again, lying down is not a good way ya know." Said Abel as his hand went under Ratchet's back pulling him up with ease as his back lay now resting against his pillow. "Mhhh… Is it well do you need to go to the big bathroom?" asked Abel very unpleased. At this ratchet nodded no, much to Abel's relief as how much he cared for Ratchet, doing that would be a bit to unpleasant! "Well, perhaps I'll just get a bottle? Off course if you don't mind I have no problem bringing you. It's just that taking you towards the bathroom in nothing but a boxers, will let's say that it isn't good for your image." Said Abel making sure his friend couldn't fall out of the bed as he supported him a bit more. "A bottle will be fine Abel, just close the door if you don't mind."

As Abel grasped one of those strangely formed bottles, he helped ratchet adjust to his new position, making sure he was leaning against his arms so he would not fall back onto his bed. Ratchet felt nervous as he had never been in this kind of situation before. Last time he was sick he just had a cold which Clank was able to help him by providing chicken soup, this was something new for him to say the least. "You sure you don't mind Abel?" asked ratchet with a caring voice as he saw Abel hesitate for a bit. "It's fine ratchet, I'm ok with it, besides it's not like I don't know how you look down there." He said laughing, ratchet only response was that he didn't want to force Abel to do anything, tough he was about to burst and if he wouldn't have "relief" soon that, well let's say that the cleanup bots wouldn't laugh at what mess he would create. As Abel went with his hands towards his friend he looked into his eyes, but he did not see shame or anything just a helpless Lombax who wanted to be helped. His hand went downwards towards ratchet's boxer as he pulled out the member and guiding it to the bottle where Ratchet sighed a relief as he was finally released of all the pressure that had been building up. Abel could only stare away as he found the situation a little to much for his own comfort. But was grateful when ratcheted thanked him for his help laying the Lombax back onto the bed. "Mhh that wasn't as bad as I thought it would have been, Abel… Thanks" ratchet said again. "Well I'll try and see if I can find a wheelchair or something to put you in, at the least we can then get out of this darn room! In the meantime do you need anything?" Asked Abel who suddenly realized he had left Bolt all alone in there room. "Fuck!" he screamed "What is it? Is my boxer not closed?" " No I left Bolt alone in our room. I'll be right back just gimme a second alright…?!" Ratchet could barely hear what Abel had said as the blue eyed Lombax made there way towards there room.

Some time later Abel had returned with Abel on top of shoulder, and a big wheelchair for ratchet to sit. As he guided the Lombax down he asked if he wouldn't mind Bolt on his lap. Laying a small blanket on his lap where he then proceeded to lay the small pet on. Ratchet had finally regained some ability to move his arm, as one of his hands slowly petted the small creature on his lap. Enjoying the feeling it gave him as it purred under his touch. "Hehehe it even likes to be touched the way I do behind my ears!" he said in a soft tone to Abel, who had been rolling the chair towards the mess hall. Once they arrived ratchet was greeted by the crew present at the moment, "As you were… I'm no different then any of you." He said as Abel drove him towards the kitchen, there where several stoves tonight. Ratchet's stomach growled as he smelled the food, Bolt himself was already picking something out of several boxes, most of it vegetables and some salt. "I think I'll take the Chicken Wings today… You Abel?" asked Ratchet to his Lombax-sitter "Two times Chickens Wings and one mini Chicken Wing menu please." Asked Abel to the serving bot, busy as he was, gave a shout towards the kitchen. Within several minutes Ratchet had 3 plates on his lap as Abel drove him towards an empty table, right next to were Qwark and Skidd were having there dinner. "Yo Ratchet dude how are things going? Besides the fucked up ribs eh man." Asked the green alien. "Well rather fine! Abel is taking good care of me… It's nice to have him around you know." "Well if you need me, Captain Qwark, just give a ring ok buddy?" "Will do Qwark… So Bolt do you want you chicken wing?" he asked only to be confronted by Bolt jumping on ratchet who gave a big oaf sound before Abel picked him up and placed him next to both him and Ratchet to make sure Bolt wouldn't cause any problems.

Not far from that table sat doctor Helsing who noticed Ratchet and Abel, as he approached them he tabbed Abel on the shoulder only to be greeted by a big smile as he began to feed and Bolt and Ratchet! "So how is the patient doing Abel?" asked the doctor curiously. "No problems here doc, just giving him his dinner at the moment and later on it's time for a bath." "Bath?" Ratchet's eyes opened, he knew he hadn't bathed but that would be ridicules he wanted to wash himself darn it! "Sorry ratchet, but as I said a few hours back you aren't allowed to use your limbs at all. For all you know you might make sure your ribs puncture a lung. And that I cannot have, I already told Abel about what you can and can't do. Just bare with it for a few days, nanotech needs some time you know! Especially for things like this. And an overdoses nanotech could well worsen your condition." Said helsing ina strict tone towards both of the Lombaxes before him. Whilst Bolt just kept nibbling on a banana that Abel had given him as a desert. "But…BUT!" "No butt's mister! You may be captain but I am still the head doctor here and if I so no it is a no. Or do you wish for me to give you some injections? You could use your arms more but let me tell you it will hurt like hell!... The pain in your chest will feel like minor inconveniences compared to it… Now SIT!" the entire room began to stare as the doctor had said wondering what was going on. Ratchet only got more annoyed by it and just laid his arms on his lap as Abel gave him some more food. "This will be a very long day still!" Ratchet said softly as Abel chuckled at that.