Author's Note: Well... slag me XD This little story comes out three things coming together. People wanting to see more of First Aid and Ratchet, me watching too much Transformers Prime and also reading Keelywolfe's Story "Something You Miss". I have been also working more on Willing Sacrifice and also Frozen Heart! I'm kinda flopping around between different fandoms XD

Disclaimer: I wouldn't mind owning Aid. XD


"Unknown vessel, this is Autobot Outpost Omega One, identify yourself." Optimus Prime allowed himself to study the beacon signal frequency and also the trajectory that the ship was coming in on.

The displays presented the gathered Autobots with a clear and rather interesting read out on the incoming vessel, showing it to be not only of Cybertronian design but also looked very much like a long range cargo transport vessel. Ratchet's hands were quickly moving over the control panel, bringing the vessel into focus and was running the frequency through the recognition software and almost jerked back the moment the name came back.

"This is Autobot Cargo Vessel Radiant," The voice was soft and gentle, almost musical in quality as it came across the communications link. "Is Ratchet there?"

The Medic's entire frame froze instantly as he was addressed, his head lifting sharply to gaze a the screen and his expression was one of actual shock. Disbelief spread across the white and crimson mech's features, while he attempted to get out a response to question that had been directed at him. Not in a million stellar cycles did he think this mech would come right back into his life, the one mech who could turn his spark upside-down so easily.

Bulkhead couldn't help the sudden grin that took over his entire face at the sound of that voice, one that was familiar to many of them.

"Another bot's coming here." Miko couldn't help the grin that spread across her features as she caught sight of Bulkhead's expression, her head turning towards Ratchet and the other Autobots and knew something was up at the bemused glow to both Arcee and Optimus Prime's optics. "Seriously cool, are you another warrior like Wheeljack is?"

There was a long pause on the other end of the commlink. "Pardon?"

"First Aid." Optimus Prime addressed the mech, though his blue optics regarded the silent Ratchet with pointed look. "It is good to hear your voice again and to welcome you to Earth." He had already checked the voice print against that which he had on record and there was no doubt that this mech was who he appeared to be. "He is a medic like Ratchet, Miko, also a member of the Protectobots."

"Hello, Sir, Hot Spot sends you his greetings and says that you still owe him a canister of Adularias Oil." A chuckle escaped First Aid, one that tickled the audios. "Prime, Sir, is Ratchet there?"

And that did bring a smile to Optimus Prime's lips. "He is indeed, First Aid."

"Ratch."

Miko was sending a glance towards all of the bots present and was about ready to explode with questions, but actually covered her mouth with a hand stifling any noise that wanted to escape because she seriously didn't want to miss seeing Ratchet, the most uptight mech in the universe look like he had just gotten his aft handed to him.

"Beloved."

Ratchet jerked at that, his vivid blue optics staring upwards at the screen, the muscle cables in his throat working hard around his vocal components, wishing he knew exactly how to respond to that single word that struck him right to the spark.

"Wait…" Dark eyes blinked at Bulkhead at that word too, mouth opening once before shutting tightly again. "What….?"

"I still love you."

And that had all the bots but Ratchet grinning from audio to audio.

"What?" Jack's eyes practically bugged out as he stared at Miko with a look of both abject horror and incredulity. "Wait… what?"

"Yeah, that was my reaction." Miko grinned at Jack as she recounted for her friend exactly what had taken place merely an hour before in that very spot. Before both of their eyes were turning back towards where Ratchet was practically burying himself in work, nothing new, but the way the mech was twitching like his circuits were jolting with literal nervous energy. "Ratchet was speechless, I mean… completely and totally…"

The dark haired teenager turned slightly towards where Arcee had propped herself on a crate to one side of the 'sitting' area the kids had piled into. "So do you know anything about this, Arcee?"

Raf's head lifted from where he had been rapidly typing away at the keyboard of his laptop, pausing just long enough in hopes of catching the answer. His fingertip lightly pushed his glasses back up his nose, a touch of confusion touching his expression over the fact that someone really could ruffle the usually unflappable Ratchet like this.

"I've more heard about it than actually witnessed it." Arcee admitted softly, keeping her voice low but knowing it was more than likely that Ratchet would be able to pick up their voices anyway, the mech was so twitchy. "Ratchet was assigned a partner during several of the early battles on Cybertron, it was rare back then to place two medics together, but… when they worked together you knew nothing would stop either of them from drawing your spark back from the brink of deactivation, no matter the injury…"

"Wow." Rafael commented softly, shifting around so that he could get a glimpse of Ratchet out of the corner of his eye, realising the mech had actually frozen in place the moment Arcee had started speaking. "So… he was…"

"Yes, he was the other half of Ratchet's spark. Though there was always problems between Ratchet and First Aid's brothers… or at least with Blades and Groove. You see, the brothers form a Gestalt, Defensor, and they were restricted from using their gestalt in battle because of First Aid's absence…"

"Enough, Arcee." Ratchet murmured softly, his shoulders hunched slightly, his fingers rubbing lightly at his temple as he regarded the three humans and the femme with a troubled look forming on his features. "What is between myself and First Aid is just that, between us."

"Sure thing, Doc Bot." Miko glanced between Jack and Raf and both boys knew that she would be digging for more information on the newest arrival to their planet. "What's he like though?" She couldn't help but ask, too curious for her own good.

"Compassion." It was Ratchet who answered the question rather than Arcee, his blue optics dimming slightly at the memory of the one mech who had fit so seamlessly into his life that every moment without First Aid truly had been an existence without the other half of his spark.

"How so?" The youngest of the humans enquired.

"First Aid is all that is good within this world." Ratchet's servos clenched tightly, swallowing hard as he glanced away, his facial plates revealing the haunted look that lingered there. "All… that is meant by the word Autobot."

"Ratchet…" Arcee stood, ready to offer something to calm the usually snarky medic, but found herself staring at Ratchet's back as the medic retreated and vanished into the base leaving only silence behind him.


Ratchet's long strides were taking him deep inside the old bunker complex and towards his quarters or at least the space that had become his quarters. Even after three stellar cycles on Earth, it was still as bare as it had been the day he had settled on the quiet chamber for his own private space. All that filled it were long work benches and what tools he still had, a number of projects filling parts of the space and the shelving he had constructed, which screened off his berth from the doorway. This had never been home. Home was… his optics shuttered tightly, attempting to force back the memory file that wanted to invade his thoughts.

The cramped cabin on the Xanthus. The space crammed full of shared projects and broken supplies that First Aid had just not had the spark to scrap. It had irritated Ratchet at first, their quarters becoming just that little more cramped, but during those first few orns of their relationship he had come to realise that the reason his partner brought back so much was because his spark was so vast that nothing could not draw compassion from him.

A single smile from Aid could wash away all his irritation and ease his spark and processors. The mech was his balance, the gentleness to his sometimes caustic nature. That thought brought an almost bitter laugh to him, privately acknowledging the fact that sometimes he was as sparkless as the Decepticons when it came to those around him, biting and harsh.

A servo lingered against one of the sets of tools that rested on the nearest workbench, fingertips stroking lightly over it and remembering the feeling of a slender hand curled against the back of his own, smaller… but still so strong. He ached for what had been taken from him. It was a sensation that never left him, no matter what he attempted to accomplish here on Earth, it felt hollow without First Aid at his side. Empty. Like him.

"Here you are, Old Friend."

Ratchet started, his servo jerking back and away from the tool he had been touching, his vivid blue optics turning towards his long time friend and Prime. His spark sinking slightly at the emotions he caught glittering in Optimus's optics, ones that revealed the Prime regretted his part in all of this. "Yes, here I am." Dropping onto the stool by the bench, he leaned one elbow against it, his fingers rubbing against one temple and gritting his denta slightly.

A hand rested lightly against Ratchet's shoulder, attempting to ease the distress that seemed to seep out of every circuit and wire that Ratchet possessed. Optimus Prime was startled to realise that Ratchet was actually trembling, the unshakeable medic having been rattled by the imminent arrival of First Aid. "It might be different."

"And it might not be." Ratchet's jaw clenched tight, denta grinding as he shrugged off the Prime's servo. "It might be as it was the last time with the arrival of the brothers." He knew that none of the Protectobots truly fancied him as being any potential bondmate to First Aid and… some part of him had always wanted the approval of those mechs whom were so important in the life of the one bot who completed him. "Frag it, Optimus, it could be as it was that day." Gritting out a bitter curse, his helm dropped, knowing that it had been his own fragging fault.

"And it could be different."

"How? How can it be, Optimus? What has changed?" Ratchet snapped harshly, his optics burning with anger and hopelessness. "Nothing!" The last word was practically a roar of sound coming from him, his fist slamming down hard on the bench, sending several things rolling off it and clattering to the floor. "The Protectobots need a medic, the Autobots need Defensor." Slumping in the chair, the anger that had so quickly filled him washed away in a wave of despair. "And I… want First Aid."

"Ratchet."

"No. I can't do this, Optimus. I can't go back to… Slag… one word from him and I'm already hooked again. It took me vorns to stop waking in the middle of my recharge cycle and search the berth for him. Watching him leave again would tear out my spark or what is left of it."

"He did not wish to leave the first time." Optimus knew that it would not help, his optics shuttered and he rubbed his servo across his face, feeling the stab of guilt over what had occurred between Ratchet and First Aid.

"And that just makes it all the more painful." The mech hissed out, anguish touching his features and revealing the spark that did lurk within the mech's frame. He was not the cold bot that most thought him, not when it came to the one bot who could see past everything and see him despite his faults and flaws. "All these vorns… I could have been with him, but war necessitates things. Our wants are not what is important right now."

And Optimus retreated, knowing that despite wanting nothing more than to reassure his old friend that all would be well, he knew there were words that not even he could offer to dull the pain Ratchet had suffered in silence.


First Aid moved through the ground bridge with an easy gait and graceful movements, his pale blue visor sweeping the space he had entered with quiet curiosity, taking in the strangeness of it all. Visor covered optics flickering over instrument panels and the neatness of the space, his lips quirked upwards into a thoughtful smile, there was only one bot who would design the ground bridge in such a way, the workmanship something he was intimately familiar with.

"Sir." First Aid was offering Optimus Prime a warm smile, bowing his head slightly in respect, exiting the bridge just as it began to cycle down and the vortex shut off behind him. However, his pale optics were sweeping the interior of the base and his smile began to fade, his shoulders slumping a touch when it became abundantly clear that Ratchet was not present, even though his spark was screaming at him that the other mech was near. "It is an honour to once again be able to greet you."

"It is good to see you once more, First Aid. For the benefit of our human companions if you would use the English language it would be most appreciated."

A touch startled, Aid twisted until he caught sight of the three partially grown organics leaning against the railing of what appeared to be a recreational area. "My apologies." He dipped his head slightly towards the organics, curiosity already flaring within him as he was shifting through a number of scans of them with quiet interest. "I will remember to do so in the future."

"He's a guy." Miko burst out, starting at the slender, though obviously male Autobot who had come in through the ground bridge. "So… does that make Ratchet…"

Jack's hand clamped around Miko's mouth, silencing any other remarks she might have made. However, his head twisted towards Arcee almost questioningly, as seeking an explanation for the fact that…

"Most curious." First Aid couldn't help himself, already moving towards the organics, hovering just on the other side of the railing to peer at the three who were leaning against the back of couch. Lips curling upwards into a gentle smile, he knew that some of the others were already smiling over his inbuilt sense of curiosity, but he was just grateful to have finally arrived. "Forgive me, I haven't introduced myself." With a bow of his head, he offered. "First Aid, Medic and tinkerer." Glancing back over his shoulder, he took in the other mechs and femme around him, before glancing back towards Miko, who seemed to be looking him over for weapons systems or at least… that was what he thought she was looking for. "I was not designed for combat. I do not carry any weapons."

"This is Miko, Jack and Rafael." Bulkhead supplied.

"So intriguing for organics…" His slender fingered servo stretched out over the rail, a quiet invitation.

Miko pounced the opportunity, settling herself into First Aid's palm as he lifted her upwards with care, giving Bulkhead a reassuring look when he caught the slight shift in the large Autobot's stance. "So… you're Ratchet's boyfriend?"

"I was his partner for several vorns." In all sense of the word, already beginning to run several medical scans across the Organic's small feminine frame, his optics glinting a little behind the protective visor that shielded hypersensitive optics. Though he was soon turning around, answering the questions placed to him while continuing his study of the human female, building up a working knowledge of the species for future reference.

Soon enough Bumblebee and Bulkhead would be heading back through the ground bridge to First Aid's ship which had thankfully slipped in undetected by the Decepticon warship that prowled the planet's surface. He had answered the signal Optimus had sent out and brought with him a Prime's ransom in supplies and materials he had picked up along the way and also brought from the Autobot Colony that had sprung up on the Dafillon where the Protectobots had made their permanent base. The news about the colony seemed to bring some new hope and life into those around him, especially when he reported that over one hundred and fifty Autobots made up the compliment of the planet's civilian population.

"Thankyou for allowing me to scan you, Miko." He lifted his palm upwards so that his shielded optics could meet the human's caramel gaze for a long moment.

"He's in his quarters."

First Aid was startled by the words, his helm jerking up and around, though he was careful not to shift his hand and risk dropping the small fragile organic.

"Are you intending on returning to…"

"No." First Aid's jaw clenched slightly, his expression determined. "The moment I heard your message, Sir. I knew I had to come."

Relief seemed to swim across Optimus Prime's features, though there was a spark of guilt that burned in those blue optics. "I…"

"What was done was what needed to happen at the time. As much as I wish it could have been different for us, I knew he never meant the words he spoke to me. It was most unlike Ratchet and I got it out of my brothers afterwards. However, this time no one will prevent me from remaining here."

"Ah… oh cryptic ones…" Miko remarked, glancing between the two mechs and clearly wanting to hear the story that came along with the comments considering that Ratchet had prevented them learning more about the relationship between himself and the pale blue and navy Autobot holding her.

"Oh." First Aid was immediately dipping, carefully setting the human down on the ground and clearly mistaking her comment for exasperation over him holding her for too long.

"Miko, why don't you go…"

"I want to know…" The girl waved a hand towards First Aid and was clearly attempting to ask what was in the minds of all three of the children. "Are you guys gay?"

The medic blinked at that one, glancing towards Jack who had covered his face with both hands and felt like rolling his eyes at the rather abrupt and very insensitive question. "Gay…?" The meaning of the word was quickly supplied from his language database and he frowned slightly. "Interfacing preferences…?" His head turned towards Optimus, clearly confused for a moment before comprehension dawned on him in a rush.

"Humans are… a touch sensitive about…" Arcee grimaced slightly, glancing towards Jack and the back at First Aid with a slight apology in her fine blue optics.

Sighing softly, First Aid thought it was probably necessary to explain about this before the humans decided to tag them with things that were human concepts and not Cybertronian. "Miko." Dropping to one knee joint and resting forwards onto one palm, he faced the human on her level as much as he could, hoping not to be at all threatening. "Please remember that we are not human, there are differences between yourselves and us. I know that sometimes things seem… unexpected, but I ask that you remain open minded about Cybertronian relationships." Offering a gentle smile, he knew that this was probably going to bring a lot of questions later, but it was best if he answered part of it now rather than leave it until after he had seen Ratchet.

"Our species as a whole has a significantly larger proportion of males to females, mechs to femmes." A hand gesturing towards Bumblebee and then to Arcee in explanation. "Both genders are capable of carrying…" Pausing for a moment, he considered what words might be able to express the same idea. "Of bearing us children. Though femmes have the advantage and can grown the sparkling's frame, mechs can still carry a spark until it is large enough to be separated from the carrier's spark and placed into a pre-fabricated frame."

"Wait… you mean…" Miko's optics widened as they turned on Bulkhead with interest.

Bulkhead backed up a step, gaze immediately returning to First Aid with a look of 'help me' written all over his features.

"Yes, Miko, each one of us is capable of having a sparkling. However, some have preferences as to whether it is they or their partner that carries, some are simply more inclined to carry while others are more receptive during interfacing."

"Interfacing?"

Jack's eyes widened slightly as he realised exactly what it was referring to.

"Sex." First Aid supplied, both optical ridges lifting at the sudden smothering of laughter that was occurring within the base at his straightforward answer. "It appears there are significant similarities between human physiology and that of the average Cybertronian."

"Aid."

"Oh dear." Pale glacial blue optics widened slightly, his head twisting to regard those around him and actually seemed to fluster a little, his shoulders drooping a touch, glancing around him with worry evident on his delicate features. "Apparently… I have said too much."

Miko just burst into a bout of uncontrollable laughter at the expression on the slender Medic's features. "Now I know who to ask questions of." Grinning widely, she pointed towards the flustered medic. "I like him, Bulky, can we keep him?"

That had Bumblebee and Arcee chuckling softly.

"If you would excuse me…"

"Bumblebee, Bulkhead why don't you take Miko and see to First Aid's cargo." Optimus sent a quick data packet to First Aid, a series of instructions on how to get to Ratchet's quarters, and almost had to hide a smile as the medic was burning rubber to get out of the rather amusing situation he had gotten himself into.


The moment First Aid spotted Ratchet his spark practically melted within its casing, his hand lifting to rub lightly over where it pulsed beneath his armour, attempting to silently ease the ache just there. Moving quietly, he slipped inside, his pedes almost soundless against the concrete floor of the mech's quarters, his optics took in every inch and detail of it, surprised by the fact that it was so impersonal.

"Hiding?"

What Ratchet was holding dropped with a loud clatter onto the work bench as the mech froze at the sound of First Aid's voice.

"Now that, Ratch, isn't you."

Fingers clenched into fists as they rested on the edge of the table, his shoulders trembling slightly with his emotions. He wanted nothing more than to turn around and plead with the beautiful mech just behind him to remain with him, desperation spurring him almost to do so.

"I'm not leaving."

Ratchet's high speed processors suddenly shut down. All at once. In shock.

"I'm not leaving you this time, Beloved. No matter what others may say or what may come up. We both know you never wanted me to leave." Striding forwards, warm servos lightly brushed against Ratchet's shoulders, sliding over the warm metal slowly, thumbs tracing the seams and where the plating overlapped softly, feeling the mech tense up as the flutters of pleasure surged through the mech's sensor net from his light touches. "But I respected your choice in that matter…"

"Primus." Ratchet groaned, his optics shuttering tightly as slender arms slipped beneath his own and embraced him as a slender form pressed up against his back. Head tipping to one side, he felt a mouth sliding along his throat and jaw, teasing him a little with the action but sparking something inside of him that he couldn't resist. "I couldn't… I…" His helm dropped backwards, resting against the slender chassis, feeling his spark fluttering wildly within its casing, slowly down to match the steady pulse of First Aid's. "I'm so sorry…" The mech croaked out, one of his shaking servos reaching up to tentatively brush over the one that held him. "Aid… frag… I…"

First Aid laced his fingers through Ratchet's, just leaning forwards slightly, dropping his chin to rest on top of the mech's helm, knowing he could remain content within that moment forever. "I know."

"How can you…? You have every right to despise me…" Blue optics shuttered tightly, shoulders slumping as he was being gently soothed, almost wanting to snap, his spark almost unable to bear the fact that First Aid could forgive him for all that he had said that day so long ago that had shattered what they had had. "What I said to you… Primus…"

Squeezing the mech's fingers tenderly, he turned his head jus enough and his mouth closed around the tip of a chevron, glossa sweeping along the edge of it and feeling Ratchet jerk sharply at the sudden intimate contact. However, First Aid's slender form was against him and attempting to avoid him was near impossible in the position he was in seated at his work bench. "Beloved, I never once stopped loving you no matter what happened." Because in the end he knew beyond any reasonable doubt and blunt statistics that Ratchet would never hurt him, this mech had always protected him. "I knew something like that would eventually happen. I had hoped not… but it did. There is nothing either of us can do about that."

"Aid…" How could this mech be real? How honestly could…? It truly humbled him in a way he could never explain to anyone that somehow this beautiful being saw in him something worth loving.

"Wow…"

Both mechs parted with a start, their heads turning towards the doorway and to Miko who stood there grinning from ear to ear with her phone up in order to catch a picture of the two mechs like that.

"Miko!" A loud voice thundered down the corridor and heavy footsteps followed it, making the very foundations of the entire place actually shake with the passage of the giant. "Frag…!"

The moment was shattered with the arrival of the human and the brilliant flash that startled First Aid, his head twisting away from the brilliant glow, pale optics immediately blinking quickly behind his visor. His hands slipped away from where they had been lightly touching Ratchet, shifting away and looking suddenly caught at that moment, his earlier embarrassment returning sharply. Another blinding flash actually did have First Aid stumbling backwards, recoiling from the light, one arm lifted to protect his face, letting out a shaken puff of air at the pain it caused.

"First Aid!" Ratchet was immediately on his pedes, the stool squeaking in protest at the quick movement, his hands catching the elbows of the mech before him, steadying him and worry lined his features at the feeling of the tenseness in the mech's frame. "Easy." He whispered softly, rubbing his palms up across the mech's upper arms, stroking softly, before his hands caught the slender jaw and eased it upwards so that he could catch a glimpse of those beautiful pale optics that were hidden beneath the mech's visor. "You have been neglecting yourself again."

"…No…" First Aid attempted to protest, his gaze dropping away from Ratchet's, the mech's throat working slightly and knowing just how difficult it was to get anything past his former lover.

"Sweetspark."

"I…" Shaking his head as much as Ratchet's grip on him would allow, he didn't resist being manoeuvred back so that his aft bumped against the stool and the slight pressure forced him to sit down.

"You never could say no to anyone." Dipping his head forwards, his helm lightly touched against his companion's, it was a soft motion, gentle and tender. "No matter how exhausted you were."

"You're… just as bad as me." He protested softly, hearing Ratchet actually laugh softly at that.

"I am indeed."


The final part will be here soon. XD AND IT WILL CONTAIN STICKIES XD if Miko doesn't interrupt them again. *laughs*