Author's Notes - Thanks Fender lover for the review! Glad you like it so far! Unfortunately this is the last finished chapter I have to put up but if it gets interest I'll try and finish.
An intercom positioned in one of the top corners of the elevator announced they had arrived at the bridge, and the doors once again slid open to allow them passage.
Kif was seated in one of the chairs scattered around the room and was idly watching the walls before he noticed the newcomers.
"Hello Captain Leela," he smiled, "did you manage to bring the package through safely?"
She held out the box as well as a couple of forms for Kif to sign, signifying they had achieved their goal and could get paid. Fry loitered in the elevator, ready to leave while Bender slipped behind Kif removing something secretly from his compartment. After the forms were signed, Leela saluted to Kif and headed back to the elevator.
"Oh Captain," he said sheepishly, "before you go, I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment…," he trailed off, and sighing she turned around remembering the last time he had spoken with her; a two hour conversation on Brannigan's habits.
While the two of them talked, Bender returned to the elevator holding something in his hand.
"Hey Fry! Look what your ol' pal Bender found!" He unclasped his hands and held them out towards Fry.
Fry, looking up for the first time since they had arrived at the Bridge, saw that Bender was holding out what looked to be an anchovy packet. Eyes widening, he turned to Bender in shock.
"B-but, how did you… Where did you find this Bender?"
Bender smiled, his friend had temporarily regained a little of his former self, "Open it!"
He passed the package to Fry, who could see on closer inspection that it was not an actual anchovy packet, rather it was something Bender had made himself. A little let down, he opened it up and a natural smile came to him. Just like a locket, inside was a picture of himself and Bender posing for the camera happily.
Fry choked back a sob and eyes watering faced his friend. True, it was a makeshift gift clumsily put together in a few minutes, but it was a show of affection of some sort from his friend, which made him feel a little better.
"Bender i…, I don't know what to say…"
"Sure ya do, I'm great and all that Jazz, right?" he laughed.
Fry smiled meekly and took one last look at the photo before pocketing it.
"Thank you,"
"Shh! Don't mention it. Seriously. It's not good for a guy's reputation to be seen giving gifts. People will think I've gone soft you know?" he ruffled Fry's hair and called to Leela.
"Hey! Meatbag! We gotta go, remember?!"
Leela, glad of the interruption turned to face Bender, "Coming! Sorry Kif, have to get back…," but she didn't look sorry at all.
"Oh… Alright," he said a little sad, but waved them goodbye.
As Leela re-entered the lift she noticed a warmer look on Fry's face; he was gazing off into the distance slightly, a little blush on his face and grasping something tightly in one of his hands. Bender was completely turned away from him, tapping his foot on the ground in annoyance at Leela, but she knew that Fry's best friend had come through for him in his darkest hour, whatever was happening to him.
Once the elevator had docked back on the ground floor, they headed back through the tunnel, following the lights set out. Just as they reached the fork however, something made them stop dead. The entire tunnel began to shake slightly and bits of debris fell from the cave roof. Leela stepped back in alarm and recognized laser fire from outside the cave. They were under attack!
"Hurry! We have to get out of here, if we can reach the jungle and shelter…" she began to run out of the cave and signalled for the others to follow her. Bender nodded at Fry and the two of them began to run.
The automatic sliding wall opened before Leela and she made a run for the cover of the trees, waiting for her friends to join her. Just as Fry was reaching the end of the tunnel however, he realised the anchovy packet had fallen out of his pocket. Stopping, he checked around for it, but couldn't see it anywhere.
'Must've dropped it at the fork,' he thought and began to turn back.
"Fry! Where ya goin' buddy?" Bender shouted to him.
"I-I'll catch up with you! Go on!" he panted, breaking into a run.
Bender looked concerned at first, but joined Leela outside the cave.
'I know it's around here somewhere…" Fry thought to himself searching the fork. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of something shiny on the other side of the fork. Steadying himself as the cave rocked once again, he reached forward and grabbed it. The roof fell in on top of him.