Author's Note: Thanks to Exactlywhat (I understand completely your reason for not being able to review! No big deal!) and I am Blueberry (Autocons...I like it) for reviewing the last chapter. To answer Exactlywhat's very good question this is what happens to Ratchet when Shadow is hurt. Enjoy and I own nothing but my OCS

Revenge-Double Take

"Hey white liar. The truth comes out a little at a time. And it spreads just like a fire. Slips off your tongue like turpentine."-White Liar, Miranda Lambert

Chromia was confused. It wasn't often something like that happened but it also wasn't often that her view of the world was turned on its head. She had thought Decepticons were self serving glitch heads that would rather live another day than give up their lives for someone else. And she had just stood there and watched like an idiot as the Decepticon femme took the killing blast meant for Starscream. As she collapsed everything happened at once. Somehow TC and Skywarp were in the air with Interra and Jetfir right behind them. Barricade was holding Nieva back as Starscream's tracking optics found what they were looking for and the Decepticon leader slammed hard into Ramjet. She had watched the Decepticons carry their wounded away and for the first time she wondered if she hadn't been wrong.

Her second thought was of Ratchet. Why wasn't the medic here with his wounded sparkmate? Quietly she made her way to the Autobot med bay. Her first sign that something was wrong was a persistent wailing. In the main room of the med bay Nova was on the floor wailing. Tears were pouring down the sparkling's optics as Chromia picked her up in an attempt to comfort her. Elita came in a moment later and looked over everything with a worried glance. Then she held her arms out for Nova. Chromia handed the sparkling over and then slipped into the next room to find Ratchet doubled over on the floor and twitching slightly with pain.

"Ratchet," Chromia yelped and knelt next to the medic. "What is it?"

"Seeker bonds are...stronger than...normal bonds," Ratchet grated out between short gasps of pain. "I can...feel...everything that...she is." Chromia winced. The pain must be excruciating. "Please tell me...she had...a...good reason to do this," Ratchet hissed.

"She saved Starscream's life," Chromia said softly. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Just...see to Nova," Ratchet gasped out. "And pray to...Primus that...she survives."

"I will," Chromia promised and left the room. She saw Nova hiccupping in Elita's arms and looking worn out.

"How's Ratchet?" Elita asked, her calm tone laced with concern.

"In pain. Evidentially Seeker bonds are stronger than normal family bonds," Chromia said grimly. "I never thought I'd say this about a Decepticon but I hope she survives."

"As do I," Elita agreed. "As do I."

New didn't come until after sunset and it came in the form of a slightly excited Skywarp. "She's going to be fine," he said before slipping into the next room to find Ratchet. "She's going to be fine Ratchet. Flashfire numbed the pain sensors so the pain should go away soon." The medic nodded and after a moment stood. "Also Nieva's sparkling decided it was done being carried," Skywarp added as an afterthought.

"Poor Flashfire," Ratchet managed with a weak chuckle, taking Nova from Elita and sitting down. Skywarp snickered.

"Turns out it's a mech. Designation Reverb after a fallen comrade of ours," Skywarp said. "Flashfire's in recharge right now as is your sparkmate. Patrols are being held up by the humans tonight."

Ratchet nodded as Nova snuggled up against his chassis, stirring slightly in her sleep. "Also Shadow is carrying again," Skywarp added in a quieter tone just after Chromia and Elita slipped out of the med bay to spread to the good news to their sparkmates.

"What?" Ratchet asked in a dangerously cold tone. The feelings coming off his muted bond with the Autobot medic made Skywarp take a step back.

"Flashfire says Shadow probably didn't know yet. It was a very recent thing," Skywarp said quickly. "Anyway you can see her tomorrow morning." Then the Seeker dashed out leaving Ratchet to shake his head in amusement.