OK I regret to inform you all that this is probably going to be the final chapter for this story. I don't want it to end but I feel like it has come to a decent place for it to conclude and pushing anymore wouldn't be fare. So to everyone who has stayed with me during this long trip thank you, and to anyone who might stumble upon this later I hope you enjoyed it.
I had so much fun writing this and I hope that I will be able to put a squeal up sometime soon. Now then as much as I would like to delay this... let's get to the final scene.
Ratchet's systems began to slowly come back on line, instantly he ran an internal scan to make sure nothing had been damaged. They scan came back clean and even showed improvement to his power levels. It had been a few days since he had a decent re-charge and being forced to off line had done him some good. He turned his optics on and the world flickered to life in front of him.
The first picture that came into his view was one he would never forget. The relaxed and attractive features of Sam were the first thing he saw. His optics where dark telling him that he was still re-charging. He looked at complete peace and it made Ratchet happy to know that he had been the one to put him in such a state. Slowly so as not to wake the boy Ratchet lifted himself off Sam's body and carefully put his feet on the floor.
He got up with a slight groan as cables stretched and wires un-knotted. A few plates on his mid section where having trouble moving as he walked and he looked down to find them coated in thick black dry fluid. Ratchet smiled and looked back at the sleeping Sam, his midsection and chest was covered with the stuff as well which would make moving for him almost impossible.
Chuckling Ratchet moved over to a section of the med bay and picked up a large canister filled with oil. Taking a large rag he used the clear oil to clean off the black mess that was on him. It took about ten minutes to get it off and even then he could still feel some stuck in between his plates. He would need to make a visit to the large washing area in one of the upper hangers to get all of it off.
He took the oil and rag over to Sam and began to clean him off as well. He was able to get the majority of it off before Sam woke up. Ratchet watched his optics brighten and a smile spread across his face as he looked at Ratchet.
"Good morning Samuel." Ratchet greeted.
"Morning." Sam said sleepily."What's going on?"
"I have just been cleaning up after our... activities yesterday." Ratchet told him.
Sam looked down at himself and gave a shy smile.
"Should I be worried about the large dried pile of this inside me?" He asked.
"No, the camber that it flowed into keeps the fluid in its liquid form. Once we get you cleaned up and able to move then I can show you how to empty the chamber safely." Ratchet told him.
Sam laughed and laid his head back on the berth.
"That was something yesterday." He whispered.
Ratchet hummed before he answered.
"Yes it was, I have interfaced with several mechs in my time but never once was it anything like that."
Sam's head came back up and he lifted an optic ridge.
"Oh really? You never told me that you had been with others." Sam said.
"I didn't think that it was important." Ratchet told him not taking his optics off the metal he was cleaning.
"Who where they?" Sam asked curious.
Ratchet looked up at Sam. "Does it matter?"
Sam smiled. "Not really I was just wondering if it was anyone I knew."
Ratchet thought for a moment.
"There were a few whom you know and others that you have never met before and probably won't." He told him.
"Was Ironhide one of them?" He asked.
Ratchet paused in his cleaning for a moment.
"Yes, a very long time ago before the war started. We shared a few years of intimacy."
"Did you ever think about bounding with him?" Sam asked.
Ratchet shook his head.
"No, while I did have strong feelings for him deep down I knew that he wasn't the one I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. He knew it too."
Sam thought about it for a while. "What about Optimus? Was he one of them?"
"No, Optimus and I have known each other since we where sparklings. We have and always will be only friends." Ratchet told him.
He walked away from the berth now finished with his cleaning.
"We will need to go up to the washing area to get the rest out from between your plates." Ratchet told him.
Sam pushed himself up into a sitting position and moved his feet over the edge of the berth.
"Oh that feels weird." Sam said more to himself then to Ratchet.
"Is something wrong?" Ratchet asked.
"No... I don't think so." Sam said shifting his body a little. "I think I can feel the stuff swishing around inside me."
He laughed as he moved again. "It kind of tickles."
Ratchet chuckled. "Yes it does that. The chamber it is in is very sensitive that is why it is deep inside the body."
Sam got to his feet and wobbled a little trying to get his balance. Ratchet instantly was at his side helping to steady him.
"It also throws you're balance off." He added.
"So I noticed." Sam replied.
"Come let's get up to the wash room and empty it so you can move under your own power again." Ratchet said leading Sam to the door.
The trip up top took longer than it should have. Sam kept stumbling over his feet and there were several time he almost fell over taking Ratchet with him. Thankfully there hadn't been anyone around to see it and he was saved from being embarrassed. About half an hour later they were standing in a large hanger with several large drains set in the floor. There where sprayers hanging from the ceiling and several from the walls.
At a command from Ratchet they all began to shoot warm water out that quickly had both 'bots soaked. Sam instantly felt what was left of the dry goo washing away and could even see several streams of the dark stuff running along the floor and into the drains. A sharp rap on the top of his head brought him out of his thoughts and he turned to look at Ratchet.
"Pay attention, I am going to show you how to empty you're camber." Ratchet told him.
Sam nodded his head and watched as Ratchet began moving his hands along Sam's mid section. When he got to a section of metal plates just above his pelvis he began to unlatch a few hooks that held the armor there. He carefully set them down on the floor and a gently hiss started to come from the area he just uncovered.
Sam felt something push forward a little and he saw Ratchet removed a large circular ball from inside the opening. He lifted it up to show Sam.
"This is what holds the fluid, when in the body it is kept heated so that what is inside doesn't dry out. If for whatever reason there is a malfunction and something inside does dry and harden then it will be very painful for you." Ratchet explained.
He twisted the top so that it opened showing the dark goo that was inside. Very gently he began to empty it letting a smooth stream flow onto the floor to be carried away by the running water.
"When you empty it you should go slowly, if you let too much of it out at once you run the risk of clogging the drains and then you will be the one who has to unclog the drain which can be very bothersome if it dries." Ratchet went on.
Once the ball was empty he held it under the running water so that what was left would wash away.
"Always make sure it is well cleaned before putting it back in." Ratchet told him.
He set the ball back inside Sam's body and put the plates back where they came from.
"So is that thing made just for holding that stuff or does it have another use?" Sam asked.
Ratchet nodded. "It is mainly used for leaking energon. If you develop an internal leak and are not able to get it fixed quickly then you're body will open ports that will drain the energon into that chamber. This way you can keep whatever amount you lose, at least if it is lost internally. If it is coming from the outside then you will need to have more energon injected into your body."
Sam nodded his head. "I get it."
"Good." Ratchet said sending another signal that turned off the water.
As soon as the water stopped Sam saw steam rising up from his and Ratchet's bodies as the water evaporated from the heat of their bodies.
"So does this mean that I can start learning how to be a medic again?" Sam asked.
Ratchet looked at him thoughtful for a moment before nodding.
"We will need to make sure that Optimus agrees that you are ready for it, but I see no reason why you should not re-start your lessons." Ratchet told him.
As they left the hanger, now completely dry, they began to make their way back down to the Autobot section of the base. Before they were able to get there they saw the large form of Optimus walking towards them.
"Ratchet, Shockpad." He greeted wary of all the soldiers around.
"Optimus." They both greeted.
"I am sorry to pull you away Ratchet but we have just located several Decepticon signals and we are preparing to intercept them. I would like for you to come with us." Optimus told him.
"Of course Prime, how long before we move out?" Ratchet asked.
"Wheels go up in 20." They heard Will shout from over by a large plane.
"Guess that answers that question." Sam said looking over at the scrambling soldiers.
"I will need a moment to re-supply." Ratchet said heading off to the med bay to get his things.
"Where did you find them?" Sam asked.
"London, England." Optimus told him.
"What would Decepticons want in England?" Sam asked.
"I do not know but whatever their reason for being there it can't be good." He was told.
"How many do you think are there?" Sam wondered.
"We have confirmed at least five signals, and there are another two or three that we are trying to verify." Optimus told him.
Sam's optics went wide at the large number. Worry began to set in at the thought of the fight that they would get into once they got there and he was upset that he wouldn't be able to help. A large comforting hand came to rest on his shoulder.
"Do not worry, everything will be alright." Optimus assured him.
Sam nodded his head. "Just make sure that everyone who goes comes back."
Optimus nodded."I will do all that I can to make sure none of our friends and loved ones are lost."
Sam thanked the Prime as he moved off in the direction of one of the planes. Sam could see several of the Autobots driving up the ramps getting ready to go. He watched Ironhide get on one with Sideswipe, Sunstreaker went on with Jolt. Optimus got his own since he was so large. Finally he saw Bumblebee get on one followed closely by Ratchet. The rescue hummer stopped before he was on the plane and flashed his lights once in Sam direction.
::We will be back soon Sam.::Ratchet sent the message to Sam.
::You had better.:: Sam replied.
He heard Ratchet laugh as he pulled into the plane and the door went up blocking him from view. Sam watched as one by one the planes took off, they angled themselves and flew right over Sam's head taking off into the distance. Sam knew that they couldn't see him but he waved good bye as they became smaller and smaller.
Well there it is, the last chapter and I hope that you all liked it. I am sorry that this had to end but all good things have to right? Thanks to everyone for reading and for the great support that you have given me. I look forward to seeing you all again in my next story what ever that might be.
For the last time please Review and show this final chapter you're love.