A/N: So this AU takes place clearly in the 'Working It Out' part of the timeline, but will not have spoilers for that story as what happens here will not happen necessarily in the story proper.

Also, for the moment things are rated T even if there are discussions about sex. The turning point in which this story becomes M will be clearly shown by the changed rating. Just wanted to clear that up.

He...he had to have heard it wrong. It must have been a glitch, because there should have been no reason for Jack to just come up to him and say-

"I thought about it, a lot, and I want you to be my first."

"You'd better have meant first follow-up-check-up." Ratchet said grouchily.

Jack winced, but clenched his fists as determination was once more in his expression. "No, I didn't." he replied, a tell-tale shake to his voice despite how resolved he presented himself. "I've given a lot of thought-uh, about it."

Ratchet still played it off as a misunderstanding, a symptom of being young and naïve. "If you can't even say it, how can you tell me you're ready for it?"

Jack's optics glanced away, and it was strange to have a mech taller than him acting much smaller. "I-I trust you." he whispered, and he finally let his nervousness shine through on his features. Jack bit his lip as Ratchet still looked unimpressed with his argument. "Okay," he sighed deeply, "it's not just that. I know it's awful to think, but you're the only one I can picture it not being weird with."

Ratchet almost said 'Why not go ask someone else anyway' when he remembered how Jack had acted on the Nemesis. Of how terrified Jack was of interfacing because of the terrible things Shockwave had said. Ratchet could see at a second glance how uneasy Jack still looked, but to even be comfortable to approach the topic with someone he-and this was the truly unbelievable part-trusted him was rather amazing.

"This is highly unorthodox," Ratchet said and Jack winced, "but I will assist you to the best of my ability."

Jack blinked, tilting his head. "Um, okay then." he shuffled, his expression bashful. "So, er, where are we going to do this?"

The medic stared at him flatly. "Nowhere." Jack blinked again. "Yet, anyway. Though our methods of interfacing are different, even with spark-merging there was to be an expected level of mental maturity among the participants."

"Wow, even with alien robots there's hang-ups about doing it." Jack said jokingly, but Ratchet frowned deeply.

"And there it is again. If you are not mature enough to say interfacing, how am I to expect you are truly ready for it?" he questioned.

Jack tensed, his tone defensive and bitter. "Shockwave didn't care that I wasn't ready." he immediately flinched when he realized what he'd said.

"I am not Shockwave." The medic replied, and even as obvious as the statement was, it served its purpose in calming Jack back down. "I am only trying to be certain in if you understand everything about you're asking."

Jack frowned, his optic ridges knitted in confusion. "It's just like organic s-sex." he stumbled over the word, glancing down sheepishly. "I see your point now." he admitted in embarrassment, but then his features became resolved. "I still want to this though, because it's my choice."

Ratchet knew how very little choice Jack had in practically everything that had happened to him so far, and he did not want to trample over the progress being made. "I understand that, but what I am saying is are you aware of the consequences?"

Jack stared at him, and then he laughed. It was startling to a degree, as the human-turned-bot had very rarely been so open thus far. "The only bot I could get pregnant from is Predaking, and that's never gonna happen." his chuckles calmed down, and he cleared his vocalizer. "But yeah, I know what you're really asking: am I going to regret this?"

Jack sighed heavily, his optics roving around the room before locking gazes with Ratchet. "I'll admit, having...doing it still freaks me out in light of everything, but I wouldn't regret it-not with you anyway." he smiled faintly. "You've seen me at one of my most vulnerable moments, you comforted me and stood up for me; you probably don't know this, but it meant so much that you didn't freak when you saw me."

Ratchet knew he was referring to the less-than-pleasant reunion Jack had with the other Autobots with this new form. Jack was trying to be mature though, especially for such a topic. "I will help you," he reaffirmed, and Jack's smile widened, "but," that smile dimmed just as quickly, "only after I have looked over the Predacon research."

Jack furrowed his optic ridges again. "Why?"

"Because despite my basic knowledge of an emergence chamber, I am quite uninformed about Predacon anatomy and I do not wish to harm you." The medic replied wryly.

Jack's faceplate contorted in sheepishness. "Oh," he rubbed the back of his neck, "I-I guess you have a point about that too." he bit his lip. "Yeah, I don't mind waiting a little bit longer. I want this, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable either."

"This is not the strangest situation I've had to deal with, the newest I'll admit, but not strange." Ratchet said, though his thoughts spoke differently, Maybe while I'm doing my research though, Jack, you might find someone else you'd rather share your first interface with.

Because deep down, Ratchet also thought that Jack could do better than this cantankerous old medic.