Rian: Yay, first multi fic rp! c:

Inky: Do you know how crazy Rian gets when it comes to rps? lol XD But she edited it and everything, so now it's nice and shiny! And chat free -since we tend to chat a LOT on the side while we rp- XD

Rian: Hey I do nots get crazy! That's an insult! I'll have you know that I'm happily insane ^^

Inky: *Facepalm*

Rian: Well on with the fic! People tend to get cranky if ya keep 'em waiting XD

Inky: Right down bellow is a disclaimer for this story, and it'll be the ONLY ONE WE PUT IN.

Disclaimer- If we owned transformers, it would be sooooo different -.-" But we can dream, can't we?

Jack hurt everywhere. It felt like even his hair hurt too. How long had he been here? The 'bots had to be looking for him, right? He felt like he was falling apart at the seams, which may have very well been the case considering what M.E.C.H. had done. He didn't want to be here. He wanted to go home. To be back with his mom and friends.

Jack wondered how much longer he had to endure to get back his life, to escape the hellish prison that everything had become. He gripped at the key that hung, hidden under his tattered and stained shirt.

It was a comfort through this, always warm and something that seemed to lessen his pain.

He jumped, looking up in shock and awe when a groundbridge suddenly flashed to looked around his cell, looking for any watching eyes. It was the Autobots. It had to be.

Jack slowly, carefully pushed himself up onto his feet. He nearly fell, but caught himself by leaning on the wall.

He made his way to the bridge as quietly as he could, practically dragging his feet to get hurt so much to move, but he had to. Just a few more steps an he'd be safe... He felt nauseous as he went through the 'bridge and Jack nearly fell with relief as the hot Nevada air hit his cheeks, one of the things he missed most in that cold cell.

But something...something seemed wrong...

He looked around. This wasn't Jasper, it was too big to be...It was still a small city, but had enough people and range to actually be a city, unlike Jasper. The buildings were different and he didn't recognize any of the scenery. Jack gulped. What was going on? Where was he?

Jack breathed deeply, starting to stumble along.

He saw a sign, telling him that Tranquility was a mile ahead. Jack felt his senses go off at the name. There was no such place in Nevada. Jack gulped. This wasn't good and forced his mind to slow down. He had to find someone to help him first, then he'd worry. He tried to flag down a car, but that was the problem: there weren't any. Well, maybe it wasn't so different from Jasper after all.

He stumbled along, hoping to get to safety before night.

He heard a rumbling in the distance. He hoped to god it was a car as he looked behind, where the noise came. There was a shock of black on yellow coming up from behind, Jack waving his free arm in hopes of the person stopping.

The car slowed to a stop and a slightly older male stepped out, concern on his features as he moved around to Jack. "You, uh, you okay? Need a ride or something?" He asked, taking in Jacks battered condition. A superficial question really, but one could never be too sure.

Jack nodded, still holding his side.

"Y-yes please, to the nearest place that's safe?"

"Uh, I could probably take you to a place to get cleaned up and stuff."

"I-I'd really appreciate it." Jack replied, managing a weak smile.

"Y-you need to go the hospital?"

"N-no! No, I just...Just need a safe place to stay." Jack forced another smile through the pain, though clearly the other teen didn't buy it. It was obvious by the sheer disbelief on his face.

"Well...I guess you could stay at my house long as, y'know you're not a kleptomaniac or stab me in my sleep or somethin'." He said, a bit of humor in his voice.

Jack laughed, then coughed roughly. Droplets of blood stained his hand. The other teen frowned, eyes falling to the wounds that could be seen beneath the thin shirt. This guy had obviously seen better days.

"I think you need some help."

"No, no, I'm f-fine..."

"Really I think you-" He said worriedly, cutting off as Jack coughed more blood up. Sam caught Jack as he fell forward, knee's giving out quickly moving Jack into the passenger side of the car, taking the drivers seat. Jack eyes drooped shut, the stress of everything that had happened taking its toll on him. His breathing continued to be labored as he blinked tiredly.

"Hey, hey don't die on me! I'll never get the stains out!" The boy exclaimed, trying to keep things light as he sped to the nearest hospital. Jack didn't reply, eyes going to the steering wheel. He saw something comfortably familiar.

"An Autobot...?"

The car came to a screeching halt and Jack groaned as he jerked harshly into the seat belts. Jack didn't say much eyes as his vision blurred, leaving Sam to worry in a cold sweat of how this stranger even knew the word 'Autobot'. The teen soon went limp, unconscious, ignorant of the shocked look Sam was giving him.

"Uh 'Bee? You ave any idea who this guy is?"

The radio crackled.

"No sir!"

"You sure? He knew what this meant." Sam mumbled, thumbing the center of the steering wheel.

"Maybe we should take him to Diego Garcia? I'm sure Optimus will know what to do." Sam suggested.

The radio crackled again, this time a voice from a game show. "Yes yes yes!"

Sam petted the dashboard."Okay then, take us there." 'Bee's engine revved and they took off, breaking every speed law known to man.

Red Alert let them without hesitation, able to recognize the black and yellow Camero a mile away, shutting the gates just as quickly. 'Bee strolled into the base as casual as he always did. Sam ran ahead in search of Ratchet, frightened that they teen wouldn't survive long without help.

"Ratchet! Ratchet!"

"In the Medbay Sam." Came the gruff voice of Ironhide as he passed the weapon specialist. Sam nodded, poking his head in.

"Ratchet! We got a human, he's in bad shape and needs help! Right /now/!"

It brought an immediate reaction, the concerned face the ever stern medic turning to look at Sam.

"Is it one of the soldiers?"

"No, a civilian!...Ugh, c'mon 'Bee! Hurry up!" Sam replied, scolding his guardian. Bumblebee let out a garbled whine in irritation, moving as fast as he could while swerving through the groups of soldiers. He made it into the medbay moments later, carefully depositing the human he held on a med berth.

"This guys hurt real bad! I-I just found him on the side of the road like this!"

Ratchet immediately moved over, scanning the raven haired teen.

"He has suffered mild forms of torture." The medic concluded, stripping the teen of his clothing. Scars could be seen beneath, some small, others large and ugly, but didn't completely overlap his skin. He had several lacerations and bruises, and in the worst case a snapped rib.

But the worst was in his side, an ugly word was carved crudely.

'Betrayer'.

Sam choose then to speak up, nervously glancing the scar. The guy had been through hell and back.

"He um...he knows 'bout the 'bots."

Everything, even those peering in from the entrance, fell silent. "Did someone blow cover again?" Asked Will, moving over and raking his eyes over the damaged youth.

Everyone looked at Sunstreaker and Sideswipe.

"Hey! It wasn't us!"

"It better not have been, you narcissist clowns!" Ratchet shouted, waving a wrench threateningly. They back away in a comedic manor, tripping over one another to get away.

Optimus moved forward, looking over the teen. He grimaced. No one so young should have had to go through this. "I can stabilize his condition, but he will be under for quite some time. I will need the aid of the human medics as well."

"Do all that you can." Optimus replied.

"I'll perform to the best of my abilities."

Optimus nodded, before aiding in shooing everyone from the medbay.

Sam peeked his head into the medbay. Ratchet had been in there for a long time, though that was normal for him, at least when it came to repairing other Autobots. He really hoped the guy was going to be fine.

"He doin' okay?"

Ratchet looked up.

"Yes. He'll make a full recovery, though I'm not so sure about his mental condition."

Sam nodded, looking at the the teen in worry.

"What is intriguing though," Ratchet added. "Is that he had an ancient Cybertronian relic."

"Well if it's ancient to you guys It must be old." He deadpanned, eyes never leaving the medic. Even Bumblebee was ancient and he was the youngest of all the 'bots.

"Yes, much so."

"So what is it?" Sam asked curiously, climbing on the berth.

"It is known as the key to Vector Sigma." Sam gave him a blank stare. Ratchet sighed. Humans were like sparklings and twice a tenacious. He was seriously asking himself how they had come this far as a species.

"And that is...?"

"It is hard to explain. It was thought to be lost forever."

Sam just shrugged.

"Whatever you say Ratchet."

Ratchet sighed.

"Just know that it is important."

"Okay, I think I get it." He deadpanned, peering over the teen. He looked peaceful in his sleep. Sam wondered how he had gotten to Tranquility with his injuries. There was nothing but road for miles in the other direction. It raised peculiar questions with peculiar answers.

He felt bad for the youth. He must've gone through a lot...

"You sure he's gonna be okay Ratchet?"

"Physically, yes."

"He seemed sane when I was talking to him." Ratchet nodded, continuing his work. The torture he endured was bound to have negative side effects on his mind. Even most Cybertornians couldn't hold up under such torture.

"You kept it on him though, right? The relic?"

"Yes. I am unable to touch it."

"What do you mean?"

"Vector Sigma can only be handled by a prime. Or...by those who were chosen by a Prime."

"So does that mean Optimus knows him?"

"No. Optimus has never seen the boy before, which makes this even more unusual."

Sam looked confused. Just who was this guy?

Jack curled tightly, pressing his face into the warm pillow. He hadn't slept so well since he was kidnapped or felt so comfortable. Granted, a bed of nails would of been better than the accommodations M.E.C.H. had provided, this was still better than either.

But where was he?

Jack slowly sat up, wincing as his side protested painfully. Opening his eyes, he saw he was in a medbay of sorts, only it looked much more well stocked than Ratchets had ever been. He shifted, trying to push himself to his feet.

"Lay back down. Medics orders." A moderately deep voice rang out from behind.

Jack jumped with a yelp, whipping around. His leg screamed and pain and he hissed in pain.

"Dammit!"

"I told you to rest!" Came the now irritated voice as footsteps shuffled behind Jack. Jack looked up, eyes wary and guarded. It was an unknown mech he hadn't seen before and of unknown factor. He had a stern and tough exterior, an aura of no-nonsense radiating about him.

"Wh-who are you?"

The yellow-green Cybertronian hummed in disapproval.

"The medic."

"You're name." Jack clarified, nearly sighing in relief when he saw the Autobot symbol on the mech.

"I am Ratchet."

Jack immediately tensed.

"Liar."

Ratchet looked taken aback. How dare he!"I am no liar!"He shouted with angrily huff. Humans!

"You look nothing like Ratchet!" Jack argued.

"I should know, considering I am him!"

"No you aren't!"

"I have entire lifetimes of medical records to prove I am Ratchet!"

"Well you aren-ow!" Jack hissed, pan making him double over and hold his belly. Ratchet sighed. Patients. They never changed, even after thousands of years. He moved to the I.V. putting in a mild pain sedative. Jack flinched, quickly ripping the I.V from his arm.

"What are you doing?!" Ratchet said irritably.

Jack didn't reply, instead looking for a way to get down. The berth, being made for Cybertronians, was far to high for him to climb down by conventional means. "You need to calm down or your injuries will open!" Ratchet scolded as he went to redo the I.V. Jacks breathing quickened, trying to calm himself as Ratchet tried, and failed, to place the I.V. back in.

"S-stop it!" Jack exclaimed, struggling. "Leave me alone!"

"Enough!" Ratchet exclaimed sternly, forcing the teen to lay back, finally managing to prick a vein. His aching side began to dull when the medicine kicked in. Ratchet scanned the teen. He had an elevated heart rate. He was scared and angry. "Calm down. I am trying to help you."

"Let me up!" Jack protested, wriggling as he tried to sit up.

"Only if you relax."

"Why the hell should I?!"

"Because you would have died otherwise!"

"And how d I now you aren't just a con in disguise?!"

"If I were you would be dead." Ratchet sighed in frustration. Jack grumbled, wrapping his arms around his knees. It was true. Sorta. Unless they wanted information out of him.

"Where am I?"

"Diego Garcia, Nevada."

Jack looked confused.

"Where?"

"A base provided for us by the human government."

"But the base isn't...it wasn't in this place. It doesn't look right..."

Ratchets brow furrowed. "Who are you anyway? How do you know of the Autobots and Decepticons?" He was beginning to question the humans sanity. Al signs pointed to that he wasn't. But he would give him the benefit of a doubt.

"Because I'm an Autobot ally."

"I have never seen nor heard of you."

"Well I've never seen you." Jack retorted sharply. "My Ratchet is white and orange. You got the crankiness down to perfection though."

Ratchet looked gobsmacked and at a lost for words..

"You humans are impertinent as always." He mumbled irritably. No one ever gave him the respect he deserved.

"And you medics are as grumpy as always." Jack retorted.

"Hmph!"

"Hey , where's that guy?" Jack asked suddenly, looking around. "'Bout yay high, curly brown hair, kinda tan?"

"Sam is waiting to ensure you're alright."

"So that's his name..."

"Yes. Now stay here and rest while I inform him and the others."

Jack grumbled, but did as told. He flopped back on the pillow and pulled the blanket up. Now that he had them he wasn't keen on letting it go anytime soon. Ratchet satisfied went into the main hanger.

"The boy is awake." He called out to the others. Sam ran over, excited for any bit of information.

"So how does he know you guys? Did he say?"

"No, but he insists that I am not Ratchet."

"Well you're the only Ratchet I know." Sam replied with a wry smile, then muttered under his breath, "Hopefully the only one I'll ever know."

"I heard that."

Sam laughed nervously."Well what're we doin' standing around? Let's go see him!"

"He is in no condition for visitors, and I need t speak with Optimus about the artifact our new friend has."

"Killjoy." Sam mumbled, going back to 'Bee. Ratchet sighed, shaking his head before turning to Optimus.

"Optimus, the boy had the key to Vector Sigma." As he expected, Optimus gave him a sharp look and narrowed his optics. Opyimus remembered it well, having been lost long ago, even before he had thrust the Allspark into the deepness of space.

"Vector Sigma? Are you sure?"

"Yes, and I am unable to take the key."

"I see."

"He may be more willing to speak with you." Ratchet thought aloud.

"What draws you to conclude that?"

"He says he is our ally, and may be more inclined to speak with aPrime." Ratchet replied.

Optimus paused in thought with a hum. "Very well. I will see him."

Ratchet nodded, leading the Prime into the medbay. Jack had bundled under the covers by then, as if they were a shield from the world around him. He peeked out when he heard to sets of footsteps coming. He jumped to his feet when he saw Optimus.

"Optimus!"

Optimus greeted him with a nod.

"Ratchet informed me that you wished to speak with me?"

"I don't remember asking him, but it's great to see a face I actually know."

"Yet, I don't know yours."

Jack froze.

"Wh...what? Optimus, stop joking around!"

"I am not one to 'joke'. What is your name?"

"How could you forget? Did M.E.C.H do something to you or-or something!"

Optimus expression became one of confusion. "Who is M.E.C.H.?" Jack began to panic, backing away.

"Ho-how can you not know? They've caused nothing but grief!"

Ratchet stepped forward.

"You need to calm down."

"Calm down?! How the hell am I supposed to do that when Optimus doesn't even remember me or M.E.C.H?!"

Ratchet carefully made him lay down once more. "By breathing. Slowly." Jack made a sound of frustration, burying his face in his hands. A few tears slipped from his eyes, wiping them away with a sniffle. Optimus looked greatly concerned.

"Ratchet, he is leaking. Are his systems damaged?"

"No, he is crying. He is merely under much stress and sadness." The medic replied. Optimus hummed in thought, then spoke to Jack.

"Tell us who you are and I will do everything in my power to help you."

Jack wiped his hand over his eyes to dry them.

"J...Jack. Jack Darby."

Optimus smiled a tiny bit.

"My name is Optimus Prime, though you already know that."

"Yeah." Jack mumbled, fiddling with the key around his neck. Optimus drew his eyes to it, immensely in how he could even hold it.

"I would like to ask how you acquired that."

"You gave it to me..."

"The key has been lost for eons."

"Well you gave it to me."

Ratchet and Optimus exchanged glances. This was strange indeed.