Chapter Ten Part One
All I want for Christmas...
As the cybertronian ship landed on the desert sand Optimus and Ratchet eagerly awaited it's crew. Optimus's mind was a wash with emotion. It had been so long, so very long since he had seen her. He could remember it like it was yesterday, those final moments with her, the promise he had made, a promise he had kept...for the most part anyway.
As the loading ramp slowly lowered Prowl was the first to exit the ship. The black and white autobot looked over at Ratchet and then over to Optimus, he saluted and said "It's an honour to finally meet you Sir...I'm Prowl." Optimus returned the salute "Greetings Prowl...welcome to Earth."
Hotrod and Kup were next to make their way down the ramp. As Kup's eyes beheld Optimus a smile crossed his face "Well now there's a sight for sore optics...it's been a while Prime." Kup offered the mighty red and blue autobot leader his hand. Optimus shook his hand as he said "To long old friend..." Hotrod interrupted them "By the all spark...your Optimus prime...wow...it is such an honour to finally meet you. The commander talks about you all..." Kup grabbed Hotrod "Come on kid...you can kiss prime's aft later." he said as he pulled him towards Ratchet.
Optimus watched as Kup and Hotrod walk over to Ratchet. Then he heard a voice that he hadn't heard since the early days of the war. Her voice was soft yet strong as she spoke "Hello Orion...how have you been?" his head snapped round as he heard her speak. His optics went wide and his mouth fell open. He stood there for a moment in utter shock before he finally spoke "Ariel...Primus...is it really you?" she slowly walked over to Optimus and placed her hand on his chest "It's me my love..." Ratchet coughed slightly "Uuumm Optimus...we really should be getting back to the base...we still have that little problem to deal with." Optimus nodded in agreement "Very well Ratchet...we can get reacquainted once we return to base."
As the ground bridge closed behind Optimus,Ratchet and the new arrival's Optimus noticed that there seemed to be some sort of commotion. Wheeljack was standing at the ground bridge controls as medics ran towards the med bay. Optimus walked over to Wheeljack and asked "Wheeljack...What is going on here?" Wheeljack shook his head "Beats me Prime...I only just got back myself." at that moment Jack came running in to central command. Upon seeing Optimus and the others he stopped in his tracks "Optimus thank god your back...it's Cat...she brought him back...but...but..." The autobot leader knelt down in front of him "Steady on Jack...what's wrong?" Jack sighed heavily and looked towards the floor "You should get to the med bay...Arcee could do with your help." Optimus nodded and stood back up. He glanced over at Ratchet and said "Find our guests somewhere to rest...I need to deal with this first."
As Optimus walked into the med bay he was shocked by the sight that greeted him. Cat was laying on a stretcher with all manner of tubes attached to him. June Darby was standing over him pressing down on his chest and shouting at the on call medics. Miko and Megan were in a corner with Arcee, who was crying uncontrollable. He wasted no time in approaching Arcee "Arcee...what happened here?" Arcee tried to speak but she couldn't, Miko turned to Optimus and said "We're not sure...they came back about ten minutes ago...then Cat collapsed...luckily June was here and...and..." Optimus turned to June "Miss Darby..." but before he could ask her anything she snapped "NOT NOW OPTIMUS...COME ON...DAMN IT...WORK...COME ON..." a lifetime seamed to pass...and then...bleep...bleep, the heart monitor began to bleep it's tone, telling them that Cat was still alive. June sighed "thank god!" Arcee leapt up from the corner and rushed over to where Cat lay. She grabbed his hand and whispered "I thought I lost you again!" Cat opened one eye and said "You can't get rid of me that easily babe." to which she gave a slight laugh and then she kissed him passionately. As she leaned back she said out loud "I love you." the room suddenly fell silent...untill Miko shouted "WHAT!" Arcee slowly turned to face the rest of the room "Ahhh scrap!" was all she said.
As Arcee stormed out of the med bay she was followed by Miko,June Megan and Optimus. She had no intention of answering their questions. Miko was being Miko, firing off one question after another "When the hell did this happen? How long has it been going on? Have you had sex with him yet?" Arcee stopped in her tracks and spun round "That's none of your business you nosey little brat." Megan, who was fast becoming friends with Miko said "There's no need to be like that Arcee..." to which Arcee shot her an angry look "And what's it to you...just cose your Jacks bitch..." Megan walked right up to Arcee "What the fuck did ya just call me." out of nowhere Optimus's mighty voice boomed "That's enough...all of you! Miko,Megan please return to central command. As for you Arcee...follow me, we have much to discuss."
A few minutes later Optimus and Arcee entered his private quarters. As prime closed the door Arcee went to speak, but he cut her off with a displeased look, a look she had very rarely seen on the last of the prime's. Optimus walked over to his large chair and sat himself down. He poured himself a glass of energon and without even looking at her he began to speak "First of all Arcee I am very disappointed in you. You disobeyed a direct order and went after Airachnid alone, although it is not the first time I am still disappointed. Secondary...whatever it is you have with our feline guest...is none of my business, but I am concerned about where it may lead." Arcee took a slight step forward "With all do respect Sir..." Optimus slammed his hand down on his desk "I'm not finished... I may be concerned,but you can make your own decisions. On a more pressing matter we have had some more new arrivals...one of which you should talk to...she hasn't seen you since she left cybertron."
Back in central command Jack,Miko,Megan and June were stood round talking about the events that had just taken place. Miko was the first to say something "I can't believe this...Cat...and Arcee...a couple? I mean what the fuck is she thinking...he ain't even a cybertronian!" Megan agreed with her "I know what ya mean...it's just weird...wouldn't she crush him if they...you know." Jack scoffed at what he was hearing "Come on you two...knock it off. I really don't want to think about that...besides...isn't it up to them if they want to be together." June looked over at her son, knowing him like she did she knew he knew more than he was saying "You don't seam all that shocked by all this Jack...I thought you and Arcee didn't have any secret's?" Jack laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head "What...we don't...it's just...well..." Miko practically screamed "You knew...didn't you?" to which Megan said "Oh my god...you did, didn't you?" but before Jack could say anything Ratchet and Elita entered central command. Ratchet was saying "I'm not sure why he has requested your presents...but it sounded urgent, his quarters are at the end of that hallway." Elita simply nodded and walked towards Optimus's private quarters.
June watched as Elita walked away from central command. As Ratchet returned to his post she asked "Who was that Ratchet? A new arrival?" Ratchet tapped away at his console for a moment before turning to face the humans "She is Elita one, leader of the autobot fembots and..." he stopped himself from continuing, not sure if he should tell them the truth. Miko, as always, had to know what he was hiding "Oh come on doc...tell us the big secret!" Ratchet sighed and shook his head "She is Optimus prime's spark mate...his wife I believe you humans would say." The small group of humans just stood there, shocked by the old medics revelation.
Elita lightly knocked on the door to Primes' private quarters. The autobot leader asked her to enter. As she walked in the room her eyes looked round at things Optimus had acquired over the years but her eyes went wide when she saw the blue autobot femme sitting in front of Optimus's desk. Arcee stood to greet the rose and white femme commander, but instead of saluting she simply sighed and said "Well I guess your going to give me a verbal ass kicking to...right mom!".
Back in central command Ratchet was doing his best to keep everyone from questioning him "Look I shouldn't have said anything but can we all please just attended to our duties." To which June agreed "Ratchet's right...I should get back to the med bay and keep an eye on...the blue cat guy." Jack sighed "His names Cat mom..." As she walked back towards the med bay June said "Yes I know!". Miko shouted "You guys are no fun...I'm heading out for a bit!" and she stomped her way to her room. Megan took Jack by the hand "We should finish packing...we're leaving in the morning." Jack rolled his eyes and sighed "Oh wow...back to college...yippee" and the two of them walked back to jacks room. As it fell silent in the autobot base Ratchet looked from side to side and said happily "Peace at last...thank Primus!".