Ignition
Chapter 2
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
"Sparked?" Optimus said.
"Yes. Sparked," Ratchet answered.
"Ratchet, if this is a poor attempt at a joke. . ." Optimus said.
"I am not joking," Ratchet said. "I wouldn't joke about something like this. You are sparked. Carrying. Expecting a sparkling in, oh, give or take three months."
"You're sure?"
"I ran the scan three times," Ratchet said. "And my diagnostic equipment is not in need of repair. Everything in this med bay was checked, repaired or replaced during the month Red Alert and the Wreckers were here. You know that. You helped."
He looked at his leader. Optimus wouldn't meet his optics. Then he started to list to the side. Ratchet reached out a steadying hand. Maybe being blunt wasn't the best way to deliver the news.
"But it was only one night. . ." Optimus muttered.
"It only takes once," Ratchet said. "And I don't need to know who or where or how many times. That's your business. I do need to run a few more scans but we can do that tomorrow, after you've had a chance to get some recharge. And we need to continue this conversation when you're feeling up to it. Tomorrow, hopefully. All right?"
Optimus nodded in acceptance. Ratchet helped him to his feet, watching the other Autobot make his way slowly out of the med bay. That was going to be one interesting conversation.
88888
Staring up at the ceiling in his quarters wasn't very entertaining, nor recharge-inducing. Too many thoughts running through his head. Optimus Prime could not believe the news. He was sparked. That's what he got for a drunken night of pleasure with someone he barely knew. Someone he didn't even know, really. Designation and rank. And something of the other's reputation.
Someone safe. Someone he could spend a night with, not having to worry about the consequences, nor having to deal with them on a day to day basis. Someone who wouldn't be around long enough to make a difference. Wrong, he thought, finally drifting off to recharge.
88888
0800 Sunday morning. Ratchet expected Optimus, but not so early. Luckily, he was as ready as he could be.
"Good morning, Optimus," he said as the Autobot leader took a seat on one of the empty berths.
Optimus didn't reply.
"All right then," Ratchet said. "To begin, do you have any questions?"
"Can you remove the spark?" Optimus asked. "Couldn't one of the femmes be used as a surrogate?"
"If I'd known about it within a day or two of it being sparked, that could have been a viable option," Ratchet said. "But it's not now. If you don't want it, ending the gestation is always. . ."
"You will not terminate this spark," Optimus said, optics blazing.
"I was speaking rhetorically," Ratchet said. "So you want to keep it. Good. But do you know what you're in for? Mechs can and did carry quite frequently back on Cybertron. There is no reason why you can't have a successful gestation here on Earth. I've already prepared a couple of data pads for you with some information you should read-on gestational changes to your body, and on sparkling care. Also, I'm going to have to talk with Perceptor about getting the additives you'll need for you energon while you carry. I'll talk with him later today and see what we can come up with."
He handed over the data pads, clapping Optimus on the shoulder.
"Now, I just need to run a couple of deep scans to get a better idea of just how far along you are. Is that all right?" Ratchet said.
"Go ahead," Optimus said.
Ratchet produced a small scanner, holding it over his Prime's spark chamber, looking for the tiny spark signature. It took a few moments to find, and he watched the screen connected to the scanner as the image of the developing sparkling appeared. A little blip compared to the size of its creator's spark, but there it was, a bright ball of energy connected to the larger orb by an umbilicus, and partially obscured by the growing gestational sac and growing processor and spinal column.
"I'm guessing it's about a week old, correct? Given the size and development so far," Ratchet said, levelled his gaze on his leader waiting for an answer.
Optimus finally nodded. Ratchet raised an optic ridge in surprise. Interesting. That would put the conception date right around the party thrown for the Wreckers the night before they left. Not that he was going to ask his Prime about that aspect of his personal life. Quiet personal speculation, however, he was allowed, as medic and friend. He knew several of the Wreckers had turned heads on base during the month they were present, even a couple catching Optimus' optics. And Optimus wasn't saying anything. Not at all like his leader during a normal visit to the med bay. But this was hardly a typical visit. He switched the scanner off, putting it way.
"You have a healthy, developing sparking," Ratchet said. "Congratulations."
"Thanks, Ratchet," Optimus said.
"You're welcome," Ratchet said. "Get out of here. Go rest. Go think up names. Remember, you're off duty today. Medically enforced day off, thanks to your battle antics, and now that you're carrying."
88888
His office seemed like a nice place to be. Partly. Optimus spent part of the morning recharging, as ordered, then went to his office with the intention of catching up on his reports. However, his optics kept straying to the two pads Ratchet gave him, and eventually he found himself reading the Cybertronian equivalent of "What to Expect When You're Expecting." Interesting reading. Meant for bonded pairs. Not a soon-to-be single creator. He sighed, setting the data pad down on his desk, resting his head in his hands. An embarrassing situation for he, a Prime, to be in. And about to be made better by the sound of approaching footsteps. He looked up, seeing Ironhide walking in.
"I thought you were off today," Ironhide said. "It's a Sunday. Your usual day off, and I know Ratchet was on your case that you were to have today off because of the repairs he did last night. So are you asking for trouble?
"I was here reading," Optimus said. "Nothing else."
"Anything good?" Ironhide said.
"Nothing you would be interested in," Optimus said, subspacing the two data pads from Ratchet.
"Heard from Magnus?" he asked, switching the subject.
"He's grumbling about the crew," Ironhide said. "The usual. Looking forward to coming back in a couple of months. He already misses me."
"Why didn't you two tell me you were bonded?" Optimus said.
"You never asked," Ironhide said. "Besides, it was only a few days before Tyger Pax that we bonded. Then we left Cybertron in search of the Allspark and Magnus and the Wreckers stayed behind. But let's not talk about that. Come on. Get out of this office. There's a poker game going in the rec room, and you can come play."
Optimus started to retort, but the look in his friend's optics suggested he better come. A game would be a temporary distraction for his thoughts.
