Prime Blood: Rod of Fire Chapter 1 (Takes place near the end of Jolt in Time, but from Rosa and Rodimus' side. For Rosa's back ground see Rosa Pax and for her conception see Prime Blood's Line)

a/n Seeing how I'm posting this before Jolt in Time, I'll give you a quick run down. A battle around a space bridge control sent Jolt (movie version) Kegan (Ironhide & Chromia's human grand daughter: see Ironbands), and Soundwave back through time landing on the di Vinci human-bot virus. It turned them human. Marooned Rosa received a data chip from her brother with instructions… bringing the stranded Decepticon from past-Earth to present-Cybertron. Confused, darn! I need to try harder.

Anyway…. Here we go.

Cybertron: Iacon: Rodimus Prime's Reign:

As soon as the space bridge haze had cleared, Rod knew his life would forever be changed. He never ever expected to see her again. It was a blow to his whole being. She has her mother's eye color to her optics and her father's rarely seen amused smirk on her face. He almost forgot his duty, until he heard a voice utter something, "By the All Spark!" He was even more surprised to find it was his own voice. The next uttered question from someone else gave him time to get himself together. And her laugh. How he missed her laugh.

Rosa Maria Garcia-Pax. A stunningly beautiful white Autobot. She had matured over the years, and gained a few more battle scars, which just enhanced her appeal. Honor and duty, she still had it. She was nearly as tall and big as him, but well she should be; being the daughter of the last Prime. He remembered her Earth form had been a gracefully curved and contoured Freightliner cab. Her helm is black making it look like a human female with a ponytail with her father's Autobot insignia pressed lovingly into the center of her forehead. On her rounded shoulder panels are rosy-red roses with emerald green stems and leaves trailing down her arms. Painted largely centered in her chest is a copy of her mother's filigree gold crucifix and rosary beads coming around her neck. But the most beautiful thing of all was her smiling emerald green optics of her mother. Rosa Pax was looking carefully around the room for a familiar face.

Rodimus Prime found himself stepping forward and extending his hand. She accepts his hand and steps over the space bridge perimeter. The touch of her hand almost makes him forget there are others in the room. It's like a ghost or an angel has returned from the dead. He holds her hand tightly as she stands directly in front of him.

She looks over this orange and red 'bot in front of her. She is curious. She doesn't recognize him at first. A beaming smile comes over her face, "Rod?"

He swallows hard. All those Hot Rod feelings flush over him. But then the Rodimus side takes over knowing what he has to tell her next. No one has heard from Rosa in well over hundred and fifty Earth years. The tension in the room could be cut with a laser scalpel. Many know who she is. How will she react, they all gasp. As Prime, it is his decision how much information he must reveal and how. Even the heart wrenching delicate ones. He knows it may hurt her. But as an Autobot, she must know who is in command. Death is nothing new to Rosa.

He squeezes her hand, "It's Rodimus…. Prime …now."

She squeezes his hand back accepting the meaning, "Oh." She clearly sees he didn't want to be the barer of news of her father. She can feel everyone is waiting for her reaction. Instead, she turns to Ultra Magnus and holds out the canvas bag. "Ultra Magnus, good to see you again. You might want to secure this in a brig quickly. I don't know how long the ropes will hold Ravage and Razorbeak."

Ultra Magnus accepts the bag with a nod. "Good to see you, too, Rosa Pax." He turns and with his guards and leaves the room to secure the prisoners.

Rodimus drops his hand. He is pleased to see that she is taking this well. But he can also see by her battered appearance, she is no longer a child. She is no longer a rookie. She has earned those battle scars. "I think we need to talk privately."

Arcee steps forward quickly, "Sir, no disrespect, but, you should not be alone with… with unconfirmed loyalties."

Rodimus scowls at her. He has known for a long time Arcee's feelings for him. Hot Rod has even flirted with them. But as Prime also knew the dangers of a relationship. He has seen it too many times. But it is a shock to him how Rosa laughs and bows her head to Arcee, "Yes, of course."

Arcee points her finger up at Rosa, "Don't try to be my friend. I'm not Skates!"

Rosa steps back from Arcee's anger. Rosa looks between Jolt (in human form), Rodimus and the others around the room. She can see things are not what she expected.

Rodimus takes a deep breath to push all his emotions aside. He turns away from the females and gives the orders: "Jolt, Wroughtiron, get these pieces clear of the space bridge. Secure them in the back portable cargo bay. Inferno I want you and Striker guarding it. Do not hesitate to blow them loose, if need be." Jolt looks shocked. Rodimus explains his orders, "I'm sorry Jolt. But your shell is mixed with Soundwave's and his mini cons. I wouldn't put it past him to booby trap them. I can't risk the base. I'm not comfortable having him here at all." Jolt nods in agreement with his commander.

"We still have more units out there trying to return home. Kegan, take the space bridge off line until the pieces are clear. I don't want anyone else landing on these, and I don't want to loose them either." Kegan nods.

"Kup, Hound, Arcee, war room for debriefing." Rodimus holds an arm out to show Rosa where the war room is. Rosa can see he wears the mantel of Prime well. She knows her father would be proud.

Iacon War Room: Rosa enters the room ahead of them. She sees the memorial wall and reaches out to touches her families' names. Rodimus notices this and tells her respectfully, "I'm sorry, Rosa."

She turns back to him and smiles, "Rod, I mean Rodimus, look… I'm not a child anymore. It's been a long time since I accepted my family shield." She touches the center of her forehead where the Autobot seal was place by her father after her first battle. "I know you haven't heard from me since I left."

Arcee steps forward, "Left? Try hijacked." Rodimus wonders if having Arcee in the room was such a good idea. But she does have insight and could help weed out if Rosa was a traitor. Willing or not. Primus help them all if Rosa Pax was.

Rosa leans over the table to go optics to optics with Arcee. Rosa is not intimidated by Arcee and her jealousy, "I will not defend myself to you."

Arcee points to Rodimus, "What about Prime? Or have you come to assume that title?"

Rodimus was curious himself if that was why she was here. Rosa stands up straight. She looks at each Autobot in turn. They are all asking her that question by the gaze on their face. He has to keep his jaw in check. For a fleeting moment, Rod hoped she would take it.

Rosa faces Rodimus directly. "No." Then she lowers her head in respect to his title. Part of him sighs slag. But the commander in him is pleased to see she accepts his leadership.

Arcee sneers, "I don't believe you."

Rodimus turns to Arcee with his full command tone, "Stand down, Arcee."

"Sir you can't-" Rodimus silences her with a single look. Arcee steps back.

Rodimus turns back to Rosa and begins the debriefing, "Where have you been since you left Earth?"

Rosa asks most respectfully, "Sir, may I be at ease?" She makes it clear she will accept Rodimus as Prime. He nods. Rosa sits down at the table. She touches it and accesses a map of the solar system. She touches a planet. Then she touches a moon. Then touches an asteroid circling the moon. Hound leans in. He pulls it up further and they all see how horrid the place was. "How could you stay there for such a long time? What happened to Sherman?"

Rosa drops her head. Rod knows she had feelings for Sherman. She peals back the shield on her forehead and with drawls a small piece of metal. It looks like a piece of Sherman's armor with a weird looking chip enclosed. Rosa unfolds it. She slides it across the table to Arcee, "I will leave you to analyze the information. Hound, could you take me to some Energon. I need to go offline for awhile."

Rodimus looks at her curiously, "What is it?" He is concerned for her.

"I knew the time was coming soon. I had to stay on alert for the signal. I'm about ready to collapse. Please, I don't care if you secure me in a brig." She turns to Arcee, "Or stake me to a post outside. Just let me go offline for a few solar cycles."

Rodimus turns to Hound, "Take her to Jolt's quarters. He isn't using them right now. Stand guard." Hound nods.

Rosa stands up. As she passes Rodimus, she puts a hand on his arm, "I'm glad my father choose you." Her tenderness is very comforting, considering she probably needs it more and yet she is giving it.

Humbly, he replies, "He didn't. The Matrix did."

Rosa smiles and pats his arm, "And obviously, standing this close to you, it never would have chosen me."

Rodimus puts a hand on hers with a smirk, "Or at least not yet."

She gives a light laugh of relief, "I pray to God it never chooses me," She smiles at him referring back to her human faith. But then her green optics roll back as her knees buckle. Rodimus quickly catches her in his arms. Being larger than Hound, he can lift her off her feet. His chest starts pounding in dread. They just got her back. She is a hope for all of them. He rushes her down to the med bay.

"Come on Rosa, we just got you back. You can't leave us again." He whispers in her audio receptor. Then he begins to run.

In the med bay he lays her out on the gurney. Medivac asks quickly, "What's wrong?" He hooks up the leads. Rodimus clamps down on his fears and stays in command mode, "I know for sure she is going into Energon anemia. But I have no idea what else she has faced out there on that moon for over a hundred years alone."

Medivac calls his team together. Then he looks to Arcee, Rodimus, and Hound, "Out. I don't need you messing up the bay."

Rodimus is able to pull Medivac to the side and quietly tell him, "You know who she is right?"

Medivac nods, "Rosa Pax, yes."

"Optimus' daughter."

"Yes." Medivac is confused why Rodimus is telling him this.

"Get Wroughtiron in here. Get Wheeljack in here with Ratchet's files. Get a human doctor in here. If she reverts back to her human state…."

Medivac understands quickly, "Yes sir. Got it. Now, get out."

Reluctantly Rodimus leaves. He taps his com, "Wheeljack to the med-bay. Find Jolt. Get him in there too. Bring any files you had from Ratchet. STAT." He doesn't wait for an answer from Wheeljack. "Arcee, take over guarding those shells." He turns to Hound, "Get him all the information you have about that moon she was stuck on. What could she have been exposed to?" Hound dashes off.

Arcee tries to sound like the voice of reason, "Rodimus, what if she is exposing all of us to something? Shouldn't she be quarantined? Like Soundwave, should we move her to an exterior cargo bay?"

Rodimus pauses for a moment. His fists are clenching. But he is also trying to stay as the unaffected commander. Certainly something Optimus had a better handle on. He tries to think of something. Anything that isn't out of line. Instead he walks away.

Arcee tries again, "Rodimus?"

He turns and faces her. Then touches his com-link, "Kup, my quarters, please." Then he responds to Arcee, "You have your orders. Go." He turns his back on her.

He strides to his quarters quickly. Kup is waiting for him there. Rodimus slams the panel to secure his door. As soon as the door closes, he lets out a serious growl. Kup steps back to give Rodimus room to pace.

"Rod?" Kup tries to bring him around. Rodimus stops and looks up at his dear friend with a cocked optic-brow.

"Are you sure you wouldn't like a shiny piece of hardware to upgrade your chassis?" Rodimus Prime tries to sound light hearted about pitching the Matrix. Kup begins to chuckle. They've had this conversations many times about passing the sparkling Matrix to someone else.

Kup smiles, "Doesn't go with my paint job."

Rodimus drops into his recliner, "Are you sure? It makes all the femes swoon. Gets you a heck of a lot of attention."

Kup relaxes against the desk, crossing his arms over his chest, "Yeah, but that is most often followed by missile fire and damage reports." They have a good laugh. Rod tips his head over and lets his fingers pinch the bridge of his nose trying to release the tension. Roller comes out from his place under the berth and chirps. Smiling, Rod reaches down and cradles the little guy against his chest.

Kup tries to help, "Looks like Kegan and Jolt have quite a project going on with Soundwave and himself."

"I had to pull him off it. I know he has some of Ratchet's secured files on Rosa." Kup looks curious. "Jolt hasn't told me, but I know that he has them, anyways."

"What's with Rosa?"

"She collapsed in my arms during the debriefing." He avoids Kup's questioning looks, by looking into Roller's little optics and chirping back to him

Kup snorts, "Oh-ho. Well Arcee must have loved that."

Rod slowly rolls hi head up to face his friend in disbelief. "Excuse me? I thought you were my friend."

Kup continues his jab, "I told you she was hot for you. And I told you, you were messing with trouble keeping her here."

Rodimus growls again making Roller shiver at his master's anger, "Kuuuup."

Kup throws his hands up in defeat of the conversation ending. Rodimus closes his optics and tries to weed out this mess.

"Wanna go blow something up?" Kup tries again.

"You mean other than myself, so I can get some R&R?"

"Well we do have Soundwave and his ejects," he shrugs.

Rodimus can't hold a straight face to that one for long. He shakes his head, "Too small right now. And if Jolt gets him all put back together and then we blow him up, Jolt will shoot me."

Kup waves his hand with dismissal, "Ah! Jolt would never fire on a Prime."

Rodimus would love to keep up this banter, but his com calls him again.

"Sir, we have her stabilized. She's asking for you," Wroughtiron links in.

Rodimus jumps up still carrying Roller, "Tell her I'm on my way." He turns to Kup, "Come."

~~ Rodimus makes it back to the med-bay in record time. Rosa, still an Autobot, is on the gurney with the warming field around her. She gives him a weak smile. He comes to her side. He tries to hide his hand slipping into hers while pulling Roller beside her. "So Rosa Pax, what other surprises do you have for us today?"

She tries to speak, but it comes out as a whisper, "Rod, can't we just go back to the track and race?"

Rodimus looks over to Medivac. Medivac smiles, "She's fine. She's teasing you."

Rodimus shakes his head, "Get that offline time you wanted. We will talk later. It's good to have you back."

He starts to pull back but she grips his hand tighter than she should be able to in her weakened condition. He sees a tear slip out of the corner of her optics, "Do you have any fudge on this outpost? Or is it banned?" He drops his head. He has to think carefully for a response. She had left the Ark a terrible blow when she left that last box of fudge for her father just before she stole his mission. Optimus was never able to completely enjoy it again.

He keeps a firm look on his face, "I'll get back to you on that. Keep an eye on her, Roller." And he turns his back on her. Rosa saw him stride quickly out of the room. Kup saw him drop to his wheels and barrel out of the building, dropping his com at the threshold.

Ultra Magnus touches his com to warn Kup. Kup tells him, "Follow Rodimus at a distance. He needs to blow off some steam. Just don't let him get blown up, alright?"

Ultra Magnus nods, "Understood." He had a hard time keeping up with Rodimus Prime. It was like the old days of Hot Rod dashing about.

~~ To Hot Rod, Rosa Pax's leaving had been a huge blow. She had been a friend. A fun friend. In spite of her larger size, she was still young and brazen and graceful. He remembered her as a human child. He had arrived just a few weeks before her transformation. He had found her a delight. Along with Arcee, Skates, Rosa had been some of the best teammates for basketball, paintball and Ironhide's obstacle course training sessions. He felt a stab of jealousy when she began to spend more time with Sherman. But then again, Arcee was vying for his own time.

When she came back from a battle that took her brother's life, she was grounded and Rod had pity for her. Rosa became a much more serious fighter, he was pleased to see she would be able to defend herself. He even felt some of that growing pride that she could ultimately be the next Prime, perish the thought anything happened to her father.

But then came her first true full fledged battle. She was an emotional wreak when they got back. He knew then, she would never make it as a warrior. He wondered how he could make her stronger. But he knew, she had just seen too much for a human. He had to remember that at her core she was a human, barely an adult. He had studied enough humans to know, she was in psychological war with her two heritages. He prayed she would find a way to survive.

What she did next, no one saw it coming. No one knew she had it in her. No one expected her to do this. She took Optimus Prime's ship right out from under his nose. She took his mission. A suicide mission. She did it to save him. She did it to save the Autobot's leader. She did it to save her father. She did it all for love.

Hot Rod's spark swelled with so many emotions the night the command team returned to the base in shock and for quiet reflection over Rosa's last gift to her family. Her mother's favorite treat. Her mother had the same gift waiting back at base when her mission was a fatal success. Fudge.

And now Rosa was asking for it. Was she trying to come home? Was she trying to leave again? What was she trying to do? Would she do the same thing to Rodimus Prime that she did to Optimus Prime? Could he trust her to be on his base?

She certainly has changed. Right now, Rosa Pax looks war weathered. She has been alone for a very long time. Is she bitter? Is she angry? Has she found salvation in Iacon? Her family's home city that she is seeing for the first time? Did Shockwave or Starscream get their claws on her and turn her into a Trojan horse? Or taint her other ways? Has she been running with a new group out to destroy the ranks from inside out? Could he trust her?

Rodimus must make this decision soon. Arcee isn't the only one asking these questions.

What was he going to do?

Next, one on one with Ultra Magnus.