"That should do it," Ratchet said as he finished mending the larger bot's lower back and left arm. "You just need to take it easy for about a week, and then come back to let me check up on it."

"I have a lot of work to do," Ultra Magnus stated as he carefully rotated his left arm. "I don't-"

"Ah-ah!" Ratchet sharply barked at him. "Doctor's orders. You need to take it easy for a bit."

"But there's work-"

"No buts." Ratchet said as he shot an angry glance at the large, blue bot. "This place won't fall apart with you not working- contrary to what you think."

Several expressions ran across Magnus's face. Clearly, he was at a loss of not only words, but what to do. Without the structure of his already planned out day, he was simply lost! What would he do with himself if there weren't any screens to monitor for rule breaking bots? How about the info pads that were always left horribly out of order in the cruddy library? Worst of all, what about all the paperwork about menial things that only he could fill out? They would just be left undone; that's what would happen!

"That's unacceptable!" Ultra Magnus nearly shouted in his horror. "Ratchet, you simply cannot tell me that I can do no work at all!"

"I believe I have," Ratchet responded as he worked to clean up his tools. "Hmm mm. How about you take a few days leave?"

"Huh?" Ultra Magnus questioned.

"You know, some vacation?" Ratchet tried to conceal a laugh. "Take some time off."

"I ... I can't." Ultra Magnus mumbled as if Ratchet had asked him to spill energon all over his desk and not clean it up.

"There has been no Decepticon activity," Ratchet continued on. "Things have been slow here. Well, aside from your little accident that is. Why don't you take a break from it all and head down to the planet we are circling with the others?"

"Sounds like I have no choice," Ultra Magnus said with the universe's grumpiest face.

"Right now, you still have a choice; however, I can take that away from you," Ratchet said as he glanced over his shoulder.

"Go voluntarily, or I'll be forced to?"

"You got it," Ratchet said and walked over and clasped the other against the back. "Just take some time and relax."

Ultra Magnus had no choice but to comply. He knew it was no good to argue with the medic, so he just nodded his head yes as he stood up to leave. He said his farewells and with a dread-filled spark, thought about how to possibly try and relax.

This notion of relaxing was proving much harder than he initially thought as his mind wondering to the morning and how the explosion caused him to miss half a day's worth of work and have to spend it in med bay instead. His stomach churned as the frustration named Wheeljack sprung to his mind.

... ... ... ...

"I have some concerns with what is going on in here," Ultra Magnus said with concern as Wheeljack hustled around his small laboratory. The large bot idly looked around the room, pings of concern overloading his system. "Just what are you doing in here?"

"HA!" Wheeljack exclaimed as he stood up with a container of green fluid in his hands. "That's where you went." The scientist barely acknowledged the other's presence as he unscrewed the cap and began pouring it's content's into several small beakers that lined a cluttered table.

"Wheeljack-"

"I am conducting some experiments to better our technology," Wheeljack answered while never taking his eyes off of what he was doing. "I am extremely close to resolving this conclusion. Soon, what Perceptor and I have been working on will be announced. So don't worry."

"That is exactly my concern," Ultra Magnus said sternly. "I received several complaints of explosions and, well, frankly, this sounds like some reckless behavior."

"There hasn't been any explosions in several weeks," Wheeljack said. "Loud noises? Probably. But not any louder than Swerve's bar."

Ultra Magnus let out a grumble; Swerve's bar was another issue. "Do you have any standard procedures with your work in the lab? Any safety precautions?"

"Any what-"

A loud crash boomed, and the room filled up with gasses and smoke. Both mech's coughed profusely, but it was Ultra Magnus who received the brunt of it. As the fumes invaded his system, the room began to spin, and his vision grew blurry. He faintly remembered the sensation of falling before he blacked out and fell onto the floor.

... ... ... ...

Luckily for Ultra Magnus, the gas didn't harm him, just took on some damage as he fell. This was a prime example as to why there needs to be standard operating procedures written for any laboratory present on this ship. Mech's safety undoubtedly relied on it! But no, he was ordered to take a relaxing trip to some stupid planet that was probably dirty and do things like sitting around in the water or drinking at a bar, or, Primus forbids- read a story-pod instead of a data-pod. Expelling a groan, Ultra Magnus walked briskly to his quarters. Perhaps he can sneak out some paperwork to take with him.

"Hey Magnus!"

A voice called from behind him, and the large, blue bot cringed- he hated it when his name was shortened. However, when the owner of that voice was Rodimus, the captain of this ship, Ultra Magnus had no choice but to take it. He stopped and looked over his shoulder.

"I heard the news," Rodimus grinned. "You? Going on vacation? Wow, what's the universe come to?"

"It's not by choice, I can assure you," Ultra Magnus grumbled and shrugged his shoulders. "Medic's orders."

"Yeah, well, you still are taking some down time," The red and yellow mech gave a cheeky grin. "Whatchya got planned?"

'Nothing."

"Well, I can change that," Rodimus replied. "I hear they have this really nice night bar-"

"No."

"How about a dance club?" Rodimus asked.

"No."

"Beach Party?"

"No."

"Okay, how about spending some down time at this lovely-very relaxing spa?" Rodimus threw out. "I heard it's very quiet... And dull. You should like it!"

Ultra Magnus cocked his head to the side as he thought of that option. It wouldn't be loud. There wouldn't be overcharged mech's stumbling all over the place. Best of all, it wouldn't get sand in all his gears. "Okay. I'll do that then."

"Great!" Rodimus beamed. "That's where we'll go then."

"We?" Ultra Magnus questioned.

"Yup. I'm going too," Rodimus replied. "Someone has to make sure you have a good time." The red and yellow mech gave a broad grin. "Won't this be fun?"

Letting out a sigh, Ultra Magnus had to show some restraint and couldn't throw himself to the ground to give the best tantrum ever. Great. There goes his plan to sit back, kick up his pedes and take some time to do some work. He asked to himself why Rodimus just loved to ruin his plans. After expelling a long breath, Ultra Magnus responded the only way he could. "Yes. This will be fun indeed."

... ... ... ...

The flight down to the planet was short, however, to Ultra Magnus if seemed to take forever. When he had loaded his few belongings onto the shuttle and belting himself in for safety, his stomach began to rumble. He had received some medical rations while in med bay, but it felt as if he hadn't eaten all day. By the time the shuttle came to a halt on the ground, Ultra Magnus's belly was rumbling so loud that it was a wonder the rest of the crew didn't hear it. Primus, he was just so hungry and he had no clue why.

"Come on," Rodimus said as he hastily got up and headed for the door. "Let's go to the hotel and then get this party started."

Ultra Magnus just sighed as he stood up, grabbed his one small bag and followed the captain off the shuttle. The pair wandered the main street until they came upon Rodimus's chosen location. Naturally, it was loud, full of bright lights and just plain gaudy. How was this going to be a relaxing vacation when the spot was so upbeat?

The blue bot just shook his head and followed the other inside and made their way to their room. Once the door swished open, Rodimus carelessly tossed his belongings on the floor and eagerly waited for Magnus to do the same.

"So, do you want to go get a drink?" Rodimus asked.

"Not really," Ultra Magnus answered as he carefully placed his belongings in a cubby.

"Well, what do you feel like doing?" The red and yellow mech said with a pout.

"I want to get something to eat," Ultra Magnus replied. "I am starving."

"Yeah, I know," Rodimus said with a chuckle. "I heard you the entire trip! Let's check out their dining hall then, shall we?"

"For once, I completely agree with you," Ultra Magnus said and followed Rodimus out of their shared room and down the hallways, hoping that the hotel restaurant served big portions.

The restaurant was simply lovely. Luckily for Ultra Magnus, not too many party-goers were hungry in the early afternoon, and the place was pretty much empty. The pair of bots was seated in a booth in the back by the waitress. The atmosphere was peaceful, sublime, and best of all, all you can eat.

Not even in his seat for a minute, Ultra Magnus stood back up and went to the table. Rodimus trailed behind him babbling about some nonsense, but Magnus did not care. All he wanted to do was to eat a hearty meal to relax his grumbling belly. He felt as if he hadn't eaten in weeks! He blamed the hunger on the added stress of being forced to take a break.

Seeing all the food stacked down the one table was divine. The blue bot grabbed a plate and took a heaping portion of some hot energon dish. He wasn't sure exactly what it was, but the steaming food looked delicious. He piled food onto his plate then returned to the table, with Rodimus close behind.

"Sure piled up, huh?" Rodimus teased.

"What? I'm hungry." Ultra Magnus retorted as he eyed his plate and almost forgot to put his napkin on his lap. Just because he was hungry doesn't mean he can forget his table manners. Once completed, he picked up his fork, plummeted into the heaping warm energon and fed it to himself. "Hmmmmmmm." The food tasted so much better than it looked! In fact, the food never tasted better. Perhaps he was just missing out with what little selection was on board the Lost Light, which was a shame because the tasty meal was the best. Without hesitation, a second forkful was shoved in his mouth.

Out of the corner of his optic, Magnus could tell Rodimus was trying not to stare at him. He didn't see what the big deal was, it wasn't like they never ate together before. The blue bot just shrugged and took another heaping mouthful. This food was just to die for! Bite after bite, his taste nodes felt electric as the scrumptious food was eaten. Soon enough, the plate was emptied.

Glancing at the red mech, Ultra Magnus saw that he wasn't even close to being finished. Taking the napkin from his lap, Magnus wiped his mouth and scooted out of the booth. He wasn't passing on seconds when the food tasted this good. "Excuse me."

He came back with another plateful of food. Once he sat down, he eagerly dug in. The pile of green stuff didn't look too good, but tasted nice and sweet. He gulped it down and tried some of the orange stuff on his plate. Not too bad. He continued on tasting all on his plate until once again, the plate was cleared. Ultra Magnus stretched, lifting his arms above his head, leaned back when a burp suddenly escaped. Quickly, hands covered his mouth as his cheeks grew red. "Excuse me."

Rodimus was laughing; as in nearly shooting out his drink through his nose. The laughter soon turned to deep coughs and gasps for air. Once that subsided, Rodimus looked to his companion with a cheesy grin. "Well, would you look at those table manners!"

"I... I said excuse me!" Ultra Magnus tried to sound dignified, but knew he failed. While fumbling for something to say, it was his stomach who broke the silence with another loud rumble. As if trying to calm the beast, the blue mech clasped a hand on his belly.

"Excuse you," Rodimus said wearing what appeared to be a playful sneer. "Still hungry?" Ultra Magnus nodded yes. "Two servings didn't do the job?" Rodimus stated and pushed himself out of the booth's seat. "I'll be back, stay right here, okay?"

The bigger bot just nodded as he watched the captain head over to the food tables. He wondered why. Rodimus didn't even finish his plate of food; which looked extremely tempting. He almost wanted to sneak a few forkfuls while the other was away. Another rumble erupted from his midsection and Ultra Magnus sighed in irritation. Where did Rodimus go? He wanted to help himself to more food.

After what seemed to be an eternity, the red mech returned with his hands full. Two plates with food piled sky high where placed on the table, then slid toward the hungry mech. "Eat up," Rodimus said as he eyed the mech across the table from him.

That made Ultra Magnus a little uncomfortable. That look in his captain's optics gave him the creeps. Why? Why was he being stared at in that way? He had caught glimpses of Rodimus looking at him like this before, but whenever he did a double take, the other mech was looking away. This look made him feel like eye candy, but soon the smell of the food hit him, and well, he was hungry. Ignoring Rodimus' staring, he licked his lips and dug in.

A whole array of flavors hit his taste buds as he devoured the first plate's contents. The food was warm, full of assorted textures, and reminded him of wholesome, home cooked energon meals his creators used to cook. Ultra Magnus closed his eyes and reflected in not only the happy memories, but the delicious taste of the meal. Upon opening his optics, he was startled to catch Rodimus eyeing him rather lewdly. Once discovered, the red sports car just idly shrugged his shoulders and flicked his brow.

Giving a questioning look, Ultra Magnus just shrugged it off and pushed the empty plate out of the way for a full one. He continued piling food into his mouth, losing himself once again in the fond memories. Each bite just got better and better! Before he knew it, the second plate was empty. Looking up to pardon himself to leave, Ultra Magnus discovered Rodimus wasn't there. Where did he run off to? He was hungry!

Once again, Rodimus returned with more food. He set it down in front of the blue bot, and didn't go back to his seat at the booth. Instead, Rodimus went to Ultra Magnus's booth and sat down. At least, he tried to. He pushed a hand against the other bot's side and spoke. "Think you can share the bench with me?"

Ultra Magnus grunted in response and scooted over the best he could. He didn't realize how much he ate until he felt how heavy he was until he tried to inch himself over. Looking down, all that delicious food he had eaten caused his belly to bloat out a bit. With reddening cheeks, he made room for his pal and attempted to hide his belly. He couldn't believe he ate that much, but once again, his stomach gave a loud grumble. Apparently, his appetite hadn't been satisfied yet.

"Hmmmm," Rodimus pouted. "Don't tell me you are full already?"

"N-No," Ultra Magnus confessed, but still hesitated with eating.

"Do you not like the selection I chose?" Rodimus questioned and rested his elbows on the table. "I picked stuff you enjoyed before, and some of my own choosing." The sports car dipped a finger in the fluffy white energon and stuck it to his lips only to lick it off. "Tastes good to me." The grumble of a belly rang out, and Rodimus smirked. "I don't think you are quite full yet." He snaked an arm under Ultra Magnus's arms and gave the little belly a rub.

The touch caught Magnus off guard, and he pushed the invading hand off his still hungry tummy. "Stop it," he muttered and tried to cover his body up. Why would Rodimus want to touch his chubby belly was beyond his comprehension. He felt so bloated and heavy. It was embarrassing that he pigged out that badly, and worst of all Rodimus watched him do it.

"Want some help?" Rodimus fake asked for he didn't even wait for an answer, just grabbed a spoon, scooped up a chunk of food, and held it to the other's lips. "Open wide!" Rodimus pushed the spoon forward, but it landed on closed lips. "Awww... Come on," The red mech pleaded.

"Let me out," Ultra Magnus firmly demanded.

"You always ruin all the fun," Rodimus pouted.

Did he just hear right? He turned a puzzled glare at the smaller bot. "Excuse me?"

"What?" Rodimus responded.

"What did you just say?"

"That, like always, you always ruin the fun," Rodimus repeated and folded his arms across his chest.

"How so?" Ultra Magnus questioned. "Because I don't want to eat, and get disgustingly huge and repulse you?"

"Who says I'm repulsed?" Rodimus stated with a lewd grin and Magnus wore a bewildered look on his face.

"You want me to keep this up?" The blue bot questioned. Rodimus bit his lower lip as he nodded yes.

"I want to see you gobble up whatever I give to you to satisfy your humongous appetite." The sports car responded and reached out and gave the chubby belly a pinch.

"Why? Most mechs would be repulsed by this," Ultra Magnus replied as his hands grabbed his flabby stomach and jiggled it.

"I'm not most mech's," Rodimus huskily said and rubbed his hands over the belly. "Plus, I like my mech's big."

a/n- did put two chapters together here.