Author's Notes: I have the first 6 chapters of this story already written so I'll post as much as I can when I get time over the next few days.
Later that night, after Fry had gone to sleep, Bender crept back into the room to steal his roommate's wallet for a wager tomorrow. His trademark red jacket was neatly folded on his bedside table, on top of which was a picture of himself, Fry and Leela on a previous mission.
Bender picked up the framed photo, and couldn't help but grin. The three of them were huddled in an embrace and were beaming at the camera. He looked at Fry in the picture and saw his old smile. The one that looked as if had come unbidden, and showed that he was genuinely happy to be with his closest friends. Then he looked towards the one in the bed and his smile disappeared. Even in sleep it seemed, his friend was troubled. What could possibly torment his dreams so?
Placing the photo gently on the bed so as not to wake him, he reached into the jacket pocket and removed the wallet. But somehow, as he opened it and saw the meagre amount of money in there, he couldn't do it. There just wasn't any fun or necessity in it like there used to be, so he replaced the wallet and the photo and silently left the room.
The next morning Fry was out of bed before Bender had woken and was in the kitchen pouring some Bachelor Chow reservedly into one of the few bowls they had.
"Mornin' meatbag!" Bender exclaimed, entering the room.
Fry looked up as he said this and gave a small smile, before returning his attention to his breakfast. Bender disregarded it and walked to the fridge, getting out another beer before sitting down on the only chair and drinking it.
A moment or two later, Fry sat on his bed and began to eat, all the while his gaze fixed on his food, never looking up. Bender, finding the silence uncomfortable, turned on the TV and began to watch The Scary Door.
The rest of the morning was spent in much the same way, neither of them really starting a proper conversation and before long, it was time for work. Fry finally lifting his gaze to see the clock met Bender's eyes and hastily looked down again. The smallest hint of pink gracing his cheeks.
"Better go to work…" he said in a small voice, and began to get his things ready for another day of planetary delivery.
"But it's only 8:00!" Bender replied aghast, "Work doesn't start for another half hour, and we always get there late, remember? Means we can miss the meetings and watch TV!"
Fry murmured something about improving himself before walking out the door, leaving a bewildered Bender to promptly drop his beer in shock.
Later that day, when Bender finally arrived at work (an hour after he was supposed to, as per usual) he walked in to find the group in a conference, with one noticeable exception.
"Fry went into the ship a few minutes ago," Amy said, noticing Bender.
"What?! Ah well…" Bender responded, sitting down to join his co-workers.
"…anywho, the doomsday device is to be set up… Hold on! What was I saying before?" The professor rambled.
"You were telling us about today's delivery Professor," Leela replied quickly.
"Ah yes… Now I'll be requiring you to visit a small, fairly unknown planet for today's mission. You'll be heading to Dooplux 8, where the DOOP have set up their latest secret headquarters, and deliver some medical supplies."
"Hold on…," Bender asked cautiously, "What's the catch?"
"Oh… no catch whatsoever… Why would you think there was one?" The Professor narrowed his eyes.
"Er…No reason!"
"Good good…. Now, here's the catch…,"
Everyone inwardly groans.
"The planet's atmosphere is potentially toxic, so for no reason must you remove your helmets. Unless of course you want to get severely poisoned and face the distinct possibility of death… Understood?"
Everyone murmured a yes.
"Oh! Oh!" Zoidberg clicked his pincers sharply in excitement, "Can I come too?! I just love being with friends, and performing potentially fatal operations!"
"No you smelly crab! Now go back into the garbage can where you belong!" Farnsworth snapped back.
"Awww….," said Zoidberg sadly before leaving the room.
The Professor turned back to face the crew.
"Er.. wha? Why are you still here? Go fetch me my 100 metre pizza like I asked!"
"100 metre… pizza?" Amy said quizzically.
"I mean… on with the mission! Yes, I covered that up perfectly…"
"What was dat Professor?" Hermes interjected.
"I said I need to cover up when I'm cold. Now go along all of you!"
Hermes went off the direction of his office to fill out the necessary paperwork for the mission, Amy began making the last checks for the ship to take off, and Bender and Leela entered the ship to get ready for the departure. Soon enough they were given the all clear and the ship took off. Down below on the ground, Amy, covered in engine oil because she didn't reach a safe distance before they left, shook her fist at the departing ship and swore loudly in Chinese.