For those who are new to Earthspark, I highly recommend going back and reading the first two stories Birth and Inherit. But if you're here for the pairing of Optimus/Elita, then don't worry, this story can be viewed as a standalone, but it's meant to serve as a bridge between Inherit and the fourth in the Earthspark Quadrilogy - Future. This is mainly as a test for myself to see how well I can write stickiness and see how people will react to it.

The short story is only five chapters long, and the stickiness doesn't happen for a little while.

So, without further ado, sit back and enjoy my first Optimus/Elita short fanfic. Hope you all love it!

Characters:

Rodimus Prime - red Ford GTX1 with amber and gold flames on sides and bonnet

Arcee - byzantine McLaren MP4-12C

Springer - dark green 2011 Ford Interceptor Concept/Customised Cybertronian Jetfighter

Prowl - black and white 2007 Dodge Challenger Police Car

Skyfire - gray B-1B Lancer Bomber

Windrazor - marble white B-1A Lancer Bomber

Hound - army green Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Elita-One - rose red Ford F-650 Supertruck

Chromia - sky blue 2009 Holden Jackaroo

Chapter 1:

Home Is Where the Spark Is

I was as wrong as I could be

To let you get away from me

I'll regret that move as long as I'm livin'

December 10th, 2013

Optimus' optics twinkled faintly, his gaze never wandering from the starry night sky. His thoughts drifted in and out of memories from long ago as he recalled the events before everything had happened right on the night before he took a small team of Autobots in search of the Allspark Cube. On the day before that, he had proposed to his beloved femme known as Elita-One in the hopes that they would be one for all eternity because they didn't have much time left to spare. She'd been afraid at first until she gave him her answer the very next night. Optimus had been caught off guard when she said 'yes', but he was quick to rush her off to their quarters and begin the bonding process that would seal their sparks to each other forever.

That night had been so incredibly special and so beyond beautiful that Optimus recorded the memory in the back of his processor so that the memory would be with him until the day he died.

His servo subconsciously touched his chest panels where his spark nestled and it clenched painfully in response to his longing to feel Elita in his arms once again. He missed her words of affection, her loving touch. How he missed the mere sensation that he was deeply loved, even if it had been only for as long as the contact lasted until they were no longer within sensing distance.

His optics go offline as he recalled that very night. The mere sensation of their bodies tossing and turning made him tremble. He could still feel completely intertwined, their legs tangled around each other. The only thing that had been on his processor was slowly making love to her before they finally united their sparks in the darkness of the room. Their bright blue sparks were the only things illuminating their faces as they overloaded in a range of blissful emotions. He even remembered how he woke up with a recharging Elita lying on his chest while still attached to him, her faceplates peaceful and content from the exhausting night.

Those memories faded away into the back of his processor and he slowly turned his optics back online, returning them to search the starry heavens.

How he missed his Elita so much right now, hoping in some way that she would answer his message and make her way toward this celestial entity that he had begun to call home over the last seven years. Whatever happened, he just had to have hope, in some way, that she would come to him and they will pick up from where they left off.

But he shouldn't despair, not when his adopted son Rodimus had resumed his place as Autobot leader. He had done a remarkable job in leading them so far ever since he had been rescued from being a captive of the Decepticons. While the young Prime still had a long way to go in recovering both physically and mentally from his ordeal, Optimus had promised him that he and the other Autobots would stand by his side and help him along the way.

And now that Optimus had his brand new armour known as the Vertex Armour – his upgraded Omega Combat Armour – he could once again fight alongside his Autobot comrades without his back injury causing him any mishaps. It had felt good to fight with his brothers and sisters in arms. He had been an almost complete wreck if it weren't for Wheeljack suggesting his idea to improve his armour. Now he could once more fight against his brother when Rodimus could not due to his small stature. Not that Rodimus minded at all. He would prefer if Optimus fought Megatron one on one since the fight between them was extremely personal to them, and Optimus couldn't afford the distraction right now.

The Decepticons had been quiet since the rescue of Rodimus, and Optimus had grown suspicious that they were up to something. His spark quenched in discomfort at the thought of what his brother was planning next. Their lack of activity since the rescue worried him a great deal. They were planning something, he just knew it.

"Optimus!"

He turned when his thoughts were interrupted by the overexcited voices of two familiar Autobots that he knew so well. Coming toward him were Prowl, Ironhide, and Ratchet. Ratchet and Ironhide were discussing something between them that Optimus couldn't quite make out due to them talking over each other. Prowl had a datapad in one hand, he was ignoring the two while seemingly struggling in keeping a straight face. Whatever it was they had to talk to the former Autobot commander about, it had to be very important if it got his two guardians in a good mood.

When they finally neared him, Optimus covered his sensitive audio receptors in an attempt to block out the two talking over each other. "Stop it!" he ordered out of instinct. "I can't talk to you if you two keep on babbling like idiots! Take a deep breath and calm down."

Ironhide and Ratchet shut their mouths and took a deep breath.

Optimus uncovered his antenna. "Now, what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?" he asked.

Prowl flashed a quick smirk and he opened his mouth to speak.

Only he had to stop when Ironhide and Ratchet went back to talking at once again.

Sighing, Optimus took a step forward and placed both servos on either side of their helms. He then, ever so 'gently', banged their craniums together that earned a startled yelp from them. They blinked several times to clear the dizziness from their optics and Ratchet shot a deadly glare at Optimus, but he ignored him.

"Be quiet," Optimus huffed a little impatiently, a warm puff of air escaping his lips, "and let Prowl speak." He turned to the vice commander of the Autobots. "Tell me what it is that's got my guardians so excited that they look like they're hyper on energon?"

Prowl cleared his vocal processors, all business-like as usual. "Tracks and Bluestreak were monitoring Teletrann One like they always do," he explained, "when they intercepted a message embedded in Autobot coding. It's a response to your message that you sent seven ano-cycles ago to the stars."

Optimus blinked, clearly puzzled. "Shouldn't Rodimus be the one to know about this?"

"That's the thing, Optimus," Ironhide spoke up, his deep voice pitching slightly from excitement. "This message was addressed to you and you only. We thought you'd be the one to hear it."

Prowl nodded, handing Optimus the datapad while the giddy expressions were still written all over his guardians' faceplates.

Optimus pressed the button on the datapad that would let the recorded message be read out loud to him.

"We have intercepted your message, Optimus Prime."

Optimus felt a gasp escape his lips as he recognised the feminie voice of his beloved sparkmate.

"Primus, it's so good to hear your voice again after so long of being separated. Ano-cycles of not being able to feel you, smell your loving scent, or even seeing your impressive stature has been agonizing for me. I have struggled endlessly to keep this small group of Autobots together as we travelled the stars in search of hope."

He wasn't sure how much more he could take right now.

"But now that we have heard your message, our faith has been restored and hope once again lives on. We – I – cannot wait to see you again. We'll be arriving in just a mega-cycle. Stay strong, my love. We'll see each other very soon. Your love and sparkmate, Elita-One, signing off."

The moment the recording ended, he nearly fainted right in front of his friends. Instead, he fell on his aft, the snow scattering in his wake and crunching beneath his weight. He could scarcely believe what he had heard. His Elita had answered his call to her. He could feel his spark threatening to leap out of his chest panels in pure joy. He had waited for so many ano-cycles just to see his beloved femme again. Now, now she was coming home to him.

Laughter from in front of him caused him to glance up, and he saw Ratchet and Ironhide laughing at him while Prowl just had a humorous grin tugging at the corner of his lips. They were obviously amused by his reaction to this wonderful news. Primus, when was the last time he had felt this way?

"This," he said, his voice struggling to contain his shock, "has to be some kind of joke."

The looks on his friends' faces told him the exact answer he had been hoping to hear. It wasn't a joke at all.

Ratchet shook his head, his slag-eating grin still on his faceplates. "I can assure you, Optimus, that it's no joke."

Ironhide offered a hand out to the former Prime and he was too glad to take it and heaved himself off the ground. Together, Ironhide and Ratchet brushed the snow off his armour, all the while still laughing at his reaction to those beautiful, sultry words of his beloved femme.

"I wonder how she'll react when she sees your armour," Ironhide smirked, flicking off a bit of snow that got wedged in Optimus' shoulder.

Optimus frowned as he glanced down at his chassis. "My armour is just fine, Ironhide. It's meant to protect me. Besides, I have no idea what you're talking about."

Ironhide laughed again as Ratchet finished his side of Optimus and returned to his field of vision. "According to humans," explained the lime green mech, "the flames on your armour scream your masculine features. Haven't you noticed the femmes melting at the sight of you or Rodimus? Primus, they can't even stop ogling at you two."

Optimus glared at him, pretending to be annoyed. "I hardly notice their behaviour around me because I am too busy focusing on training Rodimus and doing what I possibly can do to help the Autobot cause."

Prowl was thoughtful for a moment, having been silent for a while. "How will she react when she learns about your condition?"

Ratchet and Ironhide pause in brushing the snow off as they look at Prowl and then back to Optimus.

Optimus looked down at the ground, ashamed. Will Elita still appreciate him for being in this condition? Would she think of him differently if it might affect him during... interfacing? Frag it, why was he even thinking about that? Nervously, he sent a private com-link to Ratchet in the hopes of getting some answers. There was worry and uncertainty tugging at his spark. "Ratchet, would this... handicap affect me during... you know?"

Ratchet answered honestly, "I don't know, Optimus. We'll have to run some tests to find out."

Once they finished brushing the snow off his armour, Ironhide frowned a little bit, almost as though there was some kind of thought on his processor that just couldn't come out. Optimus waited patiently for him to speak whatever he had in mind.

"Do you," the old mech sighed worriedly, "think Chromia is aboard the ship?"

Prowl gently petted him on the shoulder. "I don't know," he answered honestly. "We just have to have hope that in some way loved ones will come home to us." Then he frowned a little. "However, I would rather not think about what you and her intend to do the moment she touches down."

Ironhide laughed. "I would do more than frag her in front of you, Prowl!"

The black and white mech's optics widen in horror. "I, uh, have some paperwork to take to Rodimus." He covered his audio receptors and ran back into the base with Ironhide giving chase. Ironhide cheekily yelled at the top of his vocal processor on all the dirty things he planned to do to his femme if she arrived with Elita and the others, all the while Prowl kept on announcing that he wasn't listening in an attempt to block out the other's stupid nonsense.

As they watch them go, Optimus and Ratchet shared a laugh together. They settled down and Optimus once again returned his gaze to the stars, hope illuminating in his bright blue optics. A thought entered his processor, but he wasn't sure how to say to Ratchet.

A hand rested on his shoulder and he looked down at the other mech.

"I know what you're thinking, Optimus," Ratchet smiled, giving him a light squeeze. "You do not have anything to worry about it until we get the results that we need. I can assure you that."

"I know, old friend," Optimus chuckled lightly.

Ratchet inclined his head to the base. "Come with me," he said. "Let's go and conduct the test to find out if your injury will cause you any problems."

"Thank you."

They made their way back to the base, nervousness and hope flickering in Optimus' optics.

A Few Hours Later

Optimus sighed, twiddling his thumb digits in a nervous manner. He had been sitting on the med berth for at least fifteen minutes, waiting for Ratchet's test results to come through. It had felt like getting a maintenance examination, only it required more prodding in places he didn't wish to describe. The examination had also been similar to when he had been looked into for his unusual back injury. Now that he knew that it mostly affected him during combat, he wondered if it would affect him if he got intimate with Elita. However, he would not know until Ratchet got back to him within the next several minutes.

His thoughts were interrupted by youngling wails that nearly pierced his sensitive hearing. He turned his head and saw Firestar and Inferno come walking in. Firestar was cradling a distressed Tailgate in her arms, trying to calm him down from his loud crying by bouncing him up and down in her arms, all the while cooing to him in an affectionate manner.

Both Inferno and Firestar looked exhausted from lack of recharge and were in a great deal of distress. No doubt Tailgate's crying had kept them up for quite a while, for Optimus could see it in their gestures and postures that they too were greatly distressed about the pain that their youngling was in.

"What's the matter?" Optimus asked, optics softening.

"Firestar and I have been trying to work that out," explained Inferno as he rubbed his temples tiredly. "I suspect that it's a system upset, but Firestar believes it could be growing pains. Since she's far more experienced in the medical side, I'm starting to believe that's the case. Why else can't we get him to settle down?"

He glanced down worryingly at his son, the cries of agony growing louder.

Ratchet poked his head from out of his office as the crying increased in volumes. "Primus, that's the worse crying I've heard since Bumblebee had a systems upset," he chided gently. He charged into the room, snatching up a scanner from a table along the way, and was at their side in a matter of seconds.

After a few minutes of silence and intense watching, Ratchet checked the scanner as the results came through. "It's just as I thought, Tailgate's just getting growing pains," he confirmed.

"And you thought he had a systems upset," Firestar growled, optics flashing as she whirled upon her sparkmate. "You obviously don't have faith in my medical skills, do you?"

Inferno rubbed his neck sheepishly, not looking her in the optics.

Ratchet chuckled in amusement and put the scanner down, making his way over to the table and pulling out a needle filled with the familiar painkiller liquid. "I'll have to give him a small dose of this with a sedative in it as well. It will help him to recharge as the growing pains pass." His gaze then glanced sympathetically at the sniffling Tailgate. "But I'm more concerned about his wellbeing with his fear of needles. He would not want to be touched."

Optimus looked thoughtfully at Tailgate, who looked ready to form another wave of crying. Then, as if some invisible force drove him, he held his arms out to them, puzzling them. "May I hold him?" he inquired.

Inferno and Firestar blinked in astonishment, and then glance at one another as though they were trying to decide whether it was some kind of joke that Optimus was playing. Optimus knew that Firestar was fiercely protective of Tailgate after he heard from Ratchet himself how the youngling had almost died while struggling to come online for the first time.

Finally, Firestar nodded and she reluctantly handed Tailgate over to Optimus.

Tailgate's optics were like saucers as he was settled onto the former Prime's lap, but he didn't utter a sound. Then, Optimus began to playfully bounce him up and down on his knee. His terrified face suddenly turned into a broad smile, he started to giggle and clap his hands excitedly. Optimus quickly stuck his glossa at him and widened his optics, forming a strangely deformed face that caused Tailgate to laugh out loud.

While he was distracted, the amused Ratchet snuck over to one side with the needle in one servo and ever so gently pierced the youngling's soft protoform skin.

Tailgate didn't even notice it at all.

Inferno and Firestar watched as the sedative kicked in. Tailgate yawned and rubbed his optics tiredly, he slowly became dead weight in Optimus' arms and he leaned to one side. However, the former Prime was quick to react as he cradled him to prevent him from falling off his lap. He rocked him back and forth as the youngling's optics blinked several times, trying to fight the sedative. Optimus leaned forward and whispered something in his audio receptor. Whatever he said caused Tailgate to nod in response and he finally drifted off into recharge.

Optimus then transferred Tailgate back into the waiting arms of Firestar. Inferno had a stupefied look on his faceplates as he struggled to understand what happened. Before he could open his mouth to ask, Firestar gently elbowed him, shutting him up.

"Thank you, Optimus, Ratchet," the crimson femme smiled gratefully. "I didn't think we'd ever get him into recharge."

"It's quite alright, Firestar," Optimus chuckled. "I am just glad that he'll be able to rest well without being in anymore pain."

Firestar nodded and she gently took hold of Inferno's arm, leading him away. But she stopped and shot Optimus another smile. "I wish you both a good evening," she said, earning a nod of thanks from both Optimus and Ratchet as they too wished them a good evening as well. Then she departed with her sparkmate.

Once they were gone, Ratchet turned to Optimus with a quirked optic ridge.

He looked back at him with a mirrored expression. "What?"

"Nothing," Ratchet replied, shaking his head. "I just... never pegged you to be that good with younglings. Have you been spending time with the femme caretakers in your spare time?"

Optimus laughed, "No, I haven't been doing that at all. I have learned how to hold and nurture a sparkling after you and Ironhide cared for me when I was a youngling. Plus I learned a few tricks from caring for Bumblebee when he was a youngling after I found him in the destroyed colony as well."

Ratchet snorted. "You've got a soft spot for younglings, Optimus. I saw the way how you handled Tailgate. I reckon you would make an excellent father if you and Elita decided to have one of your own."

The statement nearly caught Optimus completely off guard. He spluttered and coughed, shaking his head a little, blinking a bit as he stared at his old friend. Ratchet just had to say the one thing that been a long way from his processor. Even Elita would not be willing to do such a thing due to the war that was still going on. Sparklings had absolutely no business in fighting. It just wasn't right at all! Making them fight would ruin their innocence forever.

Optimus had a distinct feeling that his beloved sparkmate would not even be ready to be a mother. He knew that he'd willingly never force her to do something she didn't want to do until he was absolutely sure she was ready.

Whatever happened when Elita arrived, they would no doubt discuss about where they stood.

Then Optimus remembered why he was even here in the first place. Primus, why did he have to be so forgetful? He was about to say what he had in mind when Ratchet pulled out a datapad from behind his back.

"I knew you were going to ask about the test results," he said. "Luckily they finished just as Firestar and Inferno brought in Tailgate with his growing pains. It gave me an excuse to see you about them."

Optimus nodded. "Of course. Would you mind telling me what the results are?"

Ratchet glanced down at the datapad for a minute, reading it very carefully. He then lifted his head and smiled. "Congratulations, Optimus, your test results came back as negative. Your back injury will not interfere in getting... busy with Elita."

All the tension that had been building up in Optimus' body was released in a huge sigh of relief. He would've hated to disappoint Elita. If the results had come back positive, she would probably not be able to stand being with him anymore. The good thing with being the property of Elita was the amount of fun they had whenever they were in his quarters before she had become his sparkmate. They had learned much from each other, even finding out what made the other tick beneath their armoured bodies.

Primus, just the thought of once again being in the arms of Elita sent his interface systems into overdrive. Even her sweet, lustrous beauty was enough to make him internally hot.

"Optimus, are you alright?"

He shook his head, trying to clear himself of the thoughts that lingered in the back of his processor. He gave Ratchet a small reassuring smile. "Yes, I'm fine. I was just thinking about the what-ifs."

Ratchet didn't look convinced. "Really?" he snorted. "Because from what my highly sensitive diagnostic sensors were able to tell, your interface systems looked like they were ready to kick into overload."

"Ratchet!" Optimus hissed angrily. "Not right now!"

But the lime green mech ignored him. "I sure hope you plan to soundproof your walls," he went on. "Primus only knows how loud you two can be when you really get into the swing of things."

Optimus' faceplates suddenly turned warm with embarrassment. "Knock it off!" he pouted. "Ironhide and Chromia are a lot worse than me and Elita. You should know that..."

Ratchet laughed as he opened his mouth to tell him more embarrassing things, but Optimus was quick to make his escape before any more words could reach his audio receptors. He didn't need any more horrifying stories about what he and Elita got up to behind closed doors right now.

One Week Later

The morning breeze was warm and inviting as it twisted and turned around the several Cybertronians that stood on the small hill overlooking Minaret Lake not too far from their base. Excitement was in the air as everyone chatted about who was onboard the soon-to-arrive Autobot ship that was carrying at least five mechs and four femmes. The main topic of the conversation was the arrival of Elita-One.

When Optimus had made the announcement about the arrival the very next day after he had learned of its approach, everyone whooped for joy. Never had he expected such a reaction from them before. But what he hadn't expected was Rodimus coming forward and wrapping his arms around his waist in the best way he possibly could and whispering 'you made it' that was low enough for him to hear only. Then Rodimus had stepped back to be with Bumblebee, Sideswipe, and Arcee and together they clapped until everyone else followed suit.

Now, here Optimus stood on the verge of becoming overwhelmed with his own excitement. He could feel his spark constricting as it slowly detected the faint link of his approaching sparkmate.

He glanced behind him where most of the Autobots sat; these were the ones that had volunteered to come with him to witness the arrival of both the ship and the reunion between himself and Elita.

Rodimus sat cross-legged on the ground with Tailgate on his knee, while Firestar and Inferno looked onwards with careful optics. It was dangerous for a youngling to be outside without the protection of armour. But Rodimus had promised that he would protect Tailgate with his very life. It was amazing at how strong the bond had grown between the two since the day he had first arrived. They were almost inseparable, completely joined at the hip.

Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Arcee stood not too far from him either. Bumblebee and Sideswipe were keeping a sharp optic out for any signs of trouble for it was their duty as the young Prime's guardians to protect him. Arcee was there as mainly support to Rodimus should anything happen to him. The young femme had barely left his side since he had been rescued from the Decepticons. Obviously she was determined to get him better and back on his pedes. It showed just how much she cared for him, for she was willing to do just about anything to get him well again.

Optimus couldn't help but frown slightly as he had closely witnessed the behaviour of the femme over the several months since the two had first met. Could she be developing feelings for Rodimus? He wasn't sure, but the way how she acted reminded him of what humans would call a mother hen. Whatever it was, Optimus was certain that he would find out in due time.

Ironhide and Ratchet stood behind Optimus with big grins on their faceplates. Optimus hoped that they weren't planning on telling Elita about all the embarrassing things that had happened to him while he had been here for the past seven years.

Prowl – who was standing on Optimus' right – had a determined look in his optics. His faceplates were in their usual stoic expression, but his optics were easily readable to the former Autobot commander. While he was supposed to protect Rodimus, Prowl insisted that he stand next to Optimus in order to protect him due to his back injury. Optimus had reassured him that he wouldn't need it and that Rodimus was his duty now.

However, Prowl was not to be deterred and his simple answer was that 'he must' for the sake of his wellbeing before he stood beside Optimus like he used to. He wanted to take every precaution in case Optimus couldn't defend himself from an unexpected Decepticon attack.

Lastly, Skyfire and his sparkmate Windrazor stood at the far back of the group, watching the skies with keen optics. Rumour had it that a group of Autobot fliers were amongst the small group of Autobots aboard the ship and the two were eager to get them up to date and ready for them to join the newly made Autobot Aerial Corps (or A. A. C. for short) that was an Autobot version of the original Aerial Corps back on Cybertron where everyone was an equal member of.

All of these Autobots were here to witness the ship that was soon to be within optic sight.

"Jetstorm," Rodimus spoke up as he stopped playing with Tailgate for a moment, "how much time before the ship arrives in our sights?"

"It should be visual in the next four kliks, Sir," Jetstorm replied. "They've just entered the atmosphere a few nano-kliks ago."

"I assume that means four minutes?" Rodimus smirked faintly to himself. "You know I don't understand your Cybertronian time units."

Laughter echoed from around the group. Primus, it felt good to laugh together again after so long.

"You're silly, Roddy," Tailgate giggled.

Rodimus responded by gently poking him in the belly, earning another laugh from the youngling. "If I'm silly," he grinned, "then why are you even speaking to me? Huh?" He tickled him again with Tailgate squealing in giddiness.

Suddenly, Bumblebee gave an excited warble and he pointed to the sky ahead of him. "There!" he cried, bouncing on his toes. "I see them!"

Everyone turned their heads up to the sky where he was pointing and then they began whooping with glee when they spotted the small-sized starship appearing from behind the clouds. It halted in its immediate descent before its thrusters activated, saving it from plummeting to the ground. It turned slowly and began making its way towards its designated coordinates given to them by Jetstorm as it had entered the atmosphere.

And then... Optimus felt it.

He had only felt it eleven ano-cycles ago before and after he, Ratchet, Ironhide, Bumblebee and Jazz had departed from Cybertron to go after the Allspark until it couldn't be felt anymore. But the sensation was so familiar, so strong, and so sudden that it nearly made him topple over from being overwhelmed.

He heard Prowl's concerned voice followed by Ratchet and Ironhide as they tried to help him up, but he told them that he was alright and that there was nothing to worry about. He closed his optics, listening with his spark and feeling for what he couldn't describe.

The strong feeling of love came hard and fast, and then it was followed by relief and happiness.

Then... a familiar voice echoed from within his spark.

'Optimus... I have missed you so much.'

It was the voice of his beloved Elita-One. She had come home to him.

He did what he thought was the right thing to do. He responded back, 'And I to you as well, my beautiful Elita.'

Well, there you have it. The first chapter of a short story. Hope to see you all for the next chapter when I get around to it. For now, I am content with the way this one turned out. Hope you all stick it!