Author's note: Ok, this is a joint project between me and MouseDragon. We were talking about how no one has a RatchetXBarricade fic and we decided to do something about it. The idea is hers. MouseDragon and I met at an anime convention four years ago and we've been best friends since. She's a very talented writer, if you haven't read her fic's you really should. When it comes to romance, she's great. I'm basing the romance aspects in this fic on her and her husband, who in my opinion are the most perfect couple in existence. Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers! I'm a single mother and I have a spork! DONT SUE!
Episode One - The heart does not understand the word enemy.
Ratchet couldn't believe what he was hearing. Six months after the battle for the all spark had forced them to take refuge on a earth, an encrypted transmission had been sent to him from someone who had once been his best friend, asking him to for something he never thought he would be asked for. A second chance. He thought for a moment, before heading out of the med bay he had just finished putting together and heading for Optimus Prime's office with a look of fierce determination. Optimus Prime looked up from his desk as Ratchet silently activated a full security lock on the door and approached him. He was slightly alarmed by the expression on the old medic's face.
Ratchet, his voice firm. "Permission to speak sir."
Optimus, raising an optic ridge at Ratchet's formality and setting down the data pad he was working on "Granted."
Ratchet, sighing heavily. "I need permission to bring a Decepticon to the base for repairs."
Optimus Prime's face held an expression of surprise, before he regained his composure and calmly asked "Why?"
Ratchet stared at the floor, his voice holding a twinge of shame " If you will not allow it, I will go to him."
In one fluid motion, Optimus was on his feet, blue optics burning. Of all the Autobots, Ratchet was the very last he would expect betrayal from. "That would be considered an act of treason. Explain."
Ratchet spoke softly, but the firmness in his voice was unmistakable. "Barricade has asked me for help. I cant turn my back on him Optimus, regardless of the insignia he wears."
Optimus Prime's stern face softened. "Ratchet... He chose his side."
Ratchet, his voice twisted with a pain he rarely allowed anyone to see as he released the secret he had kept since the start of the war. Tears of blue streamed down his battle worn cheeks as he finally told Optimus Prime the truth about Barricade and Frenzy and why he would turn his back on everything he believed in and had fought for to save them.
-In an abandoned warehouse across town-
Frenzy rasped, his tiny hands twitching as his barely functional spark sputtered and struggled. Barricade had done all he could do, watching helplessly as the tiny protoform in his hand shuddered and twitched. Endless nights of repairs had brought him from the brink of deactivation, but keeping him from going back was proving to be beyond Barricade's skill. Slag it all, he was a warrior, not a medic. Desperate not to lose the only thing that still had meaning in his life, Barricade had contacted the only being in existence he knew could save it. Megatron was gone. There was nothing to hide from any longer. To save the life of the one before him, Barricade would do anything.
Barricade spoke, his usually gruff voice full of sorrow "I'm so sorry... "
Frenzy's voice was a painful gasp as his dimming blue optics looked up at him. "D...d..d...don't...b...b...b...be..."
Barricade, feeling his spark clench at the agony he saw there "I will find some way to help you little one. I promise" He only wished he felt as confidant as he was trying to sound.
Frenzy, his optics flickering as his barely functional systems started to fail again, reached a spindly little hand up, gently stroking the side of Barricade's chest plating. " I...I...I...t...t...tried...t..t...to...b...b...be...wha...what you...w...wanted..."
A streak of blue trickled down Barricade's face "I never should have asked you to..." His com beeped, filling his spark with hope as he gently transformed in a sleek mustang police car, carefully carrying Frenzy in the direction of hope and praying to Primus to overlook his many sins and grant him a miracle.
-back at the autobot base -
The autobots sitting around the table stared at Optimus Prime in complete and utter awe. Ironhide broke the silence first, his gruff voice unusually quiet as he leaned back in his chair "Ratchet... How come you didn't tell anyone about this?"
Ratchet finally looked up. "Because if Megatron ever found out, there would be no hope for Barricade and Frenzy."
The autobots looked up at the chief medic who knew them better than they knew themselves. Bumblebee's cheerful, though still scratchy voice broke the momentary lapse in communication. "I think it will be good to have a sparkling running around here." All optics locked onto the little bot, who had been silent up to this point. Bumblebee smiled. "Freedom is the right of all sentient beings. So is life." He said softly, locking optics with Optimus Prime, who nodded.
Ratchet looked at the little bot with an expression of pure affection and pride. Bumblebee, almost a sparkling himself, had proven his wisdom and compassion countless times already. There was not an autobot at the table who didn't respect and love him.
Optimus, his mind made up, spoke firmly, locking optics with the warriors in front of him. "Permission Granted Ratchet." Ratchet nodded, turning on his heel and heading back to the med bay, sending a com to his once lover. He could only hope that the sparkling, accidentally created in the heat of passion would survive the journey back into his arms.