What Happened in the Morning...

Inside the Room

As the pair reached up to Ratchet's bedroom, he couldn't help but wonder why he passed out downstairs. Was it her giggle that caught him off guard or was he exhausted from running across Kyzil Plateau so early in the morning? And why did she freak out when he did? Either way, Alice insisted he lie down so that he wouldn't collapse again. 

It wasn't a good feeling for him to lose consciousness; the last time he passed out was when he and Clank accompanied Captain Qwark to receive an "Intergalactic Tool of Justice Award" for something he didn't even do. Man, that guy was stupid and deceitful. When the ceremony began, Dr. Nefarious arrived and awakened a light-eating Z'Grute from cryosleep to destroy them. After they defeated the Z'Grute, a massive moon-sized drone appeared. Ratchet had just enough time to hear Nefarious deny any connection before fainting from a flash of light.

Ratchet shuddered as he remembered being unconscious and suspended upside down in the facility. It felt like all the blood was rushing to his head and panicking since he had no idea why or how he got there. Eventually they made it back home but it left him traumatized. Whenever he passed out, he would have memories of seeing a blinding white light and then blackout. Alice noticed how quiet Ratchet was being and became concerned.

"Ratchet?" she asked. "Is everything okay?"

Ratchet shook his head to get rid of his daze.

"What... What is it?"

"You've been acting strange ever since I asked you about my language. ¿Estás bien?

Ratchet raised an eyebrow.

"What did you say?"

Alice blinked in confusion until she realized.

"Oh! Sorry. I said 'Are you okay?'"

Ratchet rubbed the back of his neck.

"....Not really. Actually....I'm terrified."

Alice's eyes widened with concern.

"Was it because you fainted downstairs?" she asked.

Ratchet looked up to see her chocolate brown eyes.

"......Actually yeah. You see, I have bad memories when it comes to me passing out. Last time this happened, I was kidnapped and brought to a totally different planet. I was terrified because I had no idea where I was or why I was there. So me passing out downstairs...it reminded me too much of when everyone I knew was in danger ...." Ratchet started hyperventilating and breathing heavily. Alice became extremely worried that he was going to faint again.

"Ratchet, you need to calm down!" she screamed.

Ratchet said nothing as he started sobbing and pulling Alice into an embrace.

"........And the last thing I want (sniffle) is to put you and Clank in danger because of me (sniffle). If I ever passed out, I feel like you guys have no protection against evil (sniffle) and I would lose you...(sniffle) and I'll go back to being alone....(sniffle). I don't want to be alone again."

Alice was speechless. She had no idea how sensitive Ratchet was about losing consciousness and how scared he was of losing the only thing that he had: family. She wrapped her hands around him and tried to soothe his cries.

"Shh. Don't worry, Ratchet. Nothing is going to happen to us. You'll never be alone."

Ratchet opened his tear-filled eyes and pressed his lips onto hers, ensuing a passionate kiss. They closed their eyes as they absorbed the energy of their love. They were so busy enjoying the moment that they didn't notice Clank walking into the room.