Title: A Moment in Time
By: lj user="mmouse15"
Rating: PG-13
Characters: Ratchet, Sam, Ironhide, mentions of Optimus
Warnings: Character death. But I didn't do it. Spoilers for RotF.
a/n: the dialogue between Sam and Ratchet is lifted straight from the novelization and thus rightfully belongs to Alan Dean Foster, Hasbro, Michael Bay and anyone else that has claims on the Transformers movie franchise.
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Ratchet knelt over their Prime, his diagnostic cables hooked into Optimus. Sam came moved closer, asking, "Is he…is he dead?"
"No, at least not in the human sense of the word. He is, however, in complete stasis lock, and will remain so until his internal systems can repair the damage. If we were back on Cybertron, and I had access to the right equipment, I could speed the process. But here, now, there is little I can do. He will remain in this state for a long time, long even as Transformers measure time."
"Then there's nothing we can do?" asked Sam.
"We can hope."
Ratchet could see the devastation on the boy's face. Sam stared at Optimus for a long time before turning and getting into Bumblebee with Mikaela and another boy. Ratchet databurst Bumblebee, letting him know their plans to secure Optimus' body in a location of the Autobots' choosing and then rejoin Bee and his human companions. Bumblebee acknowledged and fled, the twins trailing him after Ironhide indicated they should stay with Bee.
The weapons specialist came up behind Ratchet and rested his hand on the back of the medic's helm. Ratchet leaned his head back slightly, putting pressure against the black hand, seeking the comfort of touch.
Ironhide shifted his stance, making himself more stable as he exchanged looks with Sideswipe and Jolt. The two warriors turned their backs and moved into the trees, giving Ironhide and Ratchet the illusion of privacy.
Ironhide leaned over and rested his forehead against the back of Ratchet's helm.
"I can't help him, 'Hide." The staticky quality of Ratchet's voice indicated his stress and pain.
Ironhide offered comfort the only way he knew. Cables snaked out from his forearms and connected to ports on the sides of Ratchet's helm. They weren't in a safe place, so Ironhide didn't even try to connect deeply – Ratchet would have blocked him if he'd tried. Instead, he sent a pulse of love/sympathy/love/pain/resolution/love over their bond and withdrew.
"We'll figure something out, Ratch. Meanwhile, we need to deal with this new situation. It's what Optimus would want us to do."
::Sir, the transport is coming.:: Jolt sent.
::Thank you, Jolt.:: was sent back. "Ratchet, they're close."
Ratchet vented air. "Yes, I know. We must continue the fight, protect the boy." He stood, moving far more lightly than a robot of his size should.
They moved back to their duties, their shared moment reinforcing the reasons they continued the fight against Megatron and his forces; for love, for duty, for the protection of those less able than themselves.
But sometimes, Ratchet wished he could work miracles.