Chapter Fourteen

It didn't take long for them to find the area blocked off to all civilians and as Prime tried to get permission past the barrier, Ratchet continued to wait in agony. He couldn't wait much longer and even considered driving straight through the barrier, regardless if the police were called. But that would mean the Decepticons would know they were coming. And he couldn't risk her being harmed if they heard him break through.

"Thanks," Prime's holoform immediately got into his alt form, messaging Ratchet that they had the go ahead. Trying everything he had to go slowly past the opened road, Ratchet kept his optics open, searching for the new police station that housed his heart. Prime continued to offer some sort of support as they swerved through every street, scanning every building in case she had been moved. But it didn't change as Ratchet finally caught sight of the building. And the cop car parked out front…

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Shadow felt her body turn to ice as Barricade entered the cell again. She continued to watch as he would enter the room, laughing at her failed attempts to stand. They had placed a metal collar on her and a chain that was connected to a wall. Barricade would insult her, calling her a rabid dog and a pathetic animal. He then would hit her, just a bit harder than a human, hoping to break her spirit. However, Shadow's stubbornness forced her to keep any sounds of pain swallowed and her defiant eyes prominent.

"I will break you at some point," Barricade laughed as he stepped on her outstretched chain, forcing her to fall to the ground. She had tried to pull the chain out of the ground, moving to where her chain was taunt as she pulled at it with all her might. Even though it was a pointless attempt, Shadow thought to try it anyways. Now she regrets that choice.

"Oh come now. You know Megatron's orders. I am to impregnate you as many times as I wish in order to breed a new army," Barricade grabbed a handful of her hair, yanking her up on her knees, "And I will break your little fragging spirit. You are going to be my whore, do you hear me?"

Shadow grimaced as he brought a hand to her face, forcing her to stare up at him. She wanted to pull away but his grip on her hair forced her to stay put, face inches from his own. The smile on his lips made Shadow want to smack it off but she knew better. Last time didn't end to well.

"GET THE FUCK OFF HER!" that sudden scream had Shadow yelp in surprise as Barricade released her. She landed on the floor, lying flat as a sudden sound of shots rang out into the quiet. Until Barricade started screaming, throwing the only chair over her body. She continued to remain still as Alice was thrown past her, landing against the far wall as two holoforms came barging in. She could barely make out the figures as she felt her eyes sting with tears.

"Damn it! How did you find us?!"

"You were spotted by humans, you dumb fuck?"

The voice sounded all too familiar as she focused her eyes, staring at the blond before her. And it only made sense as the curses continued. He had found her.

"Well, you will not escape here with your life. I will end you!" Barricade charged after Ratchet, fist ready. But he didn't land a blow, taken aback by the fact that Ratchet had dodged him, sending a punch at him. The two continued the blows, Ratchet dodging every one. Barricade continued to try, even materializing a knife in order to try and stab Ratchet. Shadow continued to watch as the two finally locked arms, Ratchet having disarmed him by twisting the knife out of his hands.

"Shadow," she heard a harsh whisper as a hand reached around her neck, holding onto the bond around it. Her jump was stopped when she recognized the blue eyes of a rather surprising Autobot.

"Ironhide?" she questioned as he broke the bond barehanded, removing it from around her throat. Knowing she would be unable to walk out quickly, Ironhide picked her up and ran for the door. Shadow watched as Alice growled, jumping for them but Prime was there, grabbing the robotic hairs, ripping them out of her head. The metallic scream forced Shadow to cover her ears as Alice turned her attention on Prime, suddenly pushing him through the walls. It wasn't until she made it outside that she realized the fight had turned worse, watching as Barricade and Ratchet suddenly transformed to their full height.

"Ironhide?" again she called out to her carrier but Ironhide ignored her, immediately placing her inside his alt form. He continued to ignore the fighting as he suddenly disappeared, taking off down the road. Shadow banged on his glass, screaming for him to go back and save Ratchet.

"Woman, I swear to Primus! Ratchet is gonna kill Barricade. For crying out loud, get over it!"

"But he could die!"

"Shadow! Do you know how pissed off that medic is?! He will not stop until Barricade is nothing more than a pile of scrap metal!" Ironhide's voice forced her to stop banging on his window. She stared at the dash of Ironhide as she vaguely remembered the seatbelt surrounding her form, Ironhide telling her to relax. And it wasn't until they passed the barrier and a final cry was heard that she finally succumbed to her injuries and fainted.

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In the background, a soft beeping was heard as she felt her body float back into the real world. She coughed out, her throat unusually dry and as she opened her eyes, couldn't the moan that escaped as she saw a glass of water held above her. Immediately she noticed the blue eyes staring at her and the messy blonde hair that stuck up in all different directions.

"Evening sleepy head," the soft voice made her choke on her tears and she cried, reaching out with her arms to him. She didn't care that her limbs screamed in agony. All she wanted was to hold the man who stared at her, knowing she was safe from harm. And he didn't hesitate, sitting on the hospital bed and helping her up. He wrapped his arms around her, feeling her shoulders shake from the sobs that racked her injured body.

"Ratchet, I'm sorry. I'm sorry," she cried. He shushed her immediately, whispering to her how it wasn't her fault. And it wasn't. No one knew a Decepticon had infiltrated their facilities. The area was supposed to be safe but with her kidnapping, it was known that they were far from keeping them safe. Far from keeping his love safe.

"It's alright, Shadow. It's okay," he kissed the side of her head, forcing the Doctor to look at him. She calmed her tears as Ratchet looked her over, seeing the bruises around her neck and on her arms. Her face shined with one to her cheek, forcing Ratchet to shiver from the anger than consumed him. He had saw how Barricade had treated her and in that moment, he just saw red. He ended up tearing Barricade apart, leaving the Decepticon alive but in pieces. It was a horrible form of torment and a terrible way to go as his form would slowly die from lose of necessary fluids. Which Ratchet didn't mind having on his processor. He could live with that choice.

Taking his hand, Ratchet slowly caressed her cheek, moving her hair out of the way so he could inspect the mark further. It surprised him how she was able to survive the attack, will only minor bruises. But his main concern now was to ensure she healed as he kissed the mark, trying to erase the pain.

Shadow took the comfort, allowing Ratchet to treat her in his own way. The feeling of safety was enough to make her lean into him as he continued to kiss every mark he saw, trying to ensure the injured skin felt something more than pain. Shadow's answer to his ministrations was the shiver that traveled up her spine. Ratchet chuckled as he looked at her, seeing the smile radiate in her eyes.

"I am so glad your back," he whispered, kissing her fully on the lips. Shadow wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him back as hard as she could.

"Me, too," she whispered. She kept him close, feeling the beating of his spark through the holoform, listening to the comforting sound as she closed her eyes. She slowly buried the memories, realizing that she was safe and that being frightened was of no use. She was safe. She was home.

"SHADOW!" the scream forced the doctor to sigh as Ratchet looked up from her, seeing a red headed woman dash to the side of the bed.

"Ava," Shadow said calmly, grasping Ava's hands. She felt the unmistakable shaking of her best friend's hands and waited for her to finally speak. She continued to listen as the new mother expressed her worry, looking over her face. Shadow merely smiled, tears still glittering her eyes.

"I am safe now," she spoke again. Ava smiled, squeezing her hands.

"Forever, girl. Forever," Ava confirmed before looking at Ratchet, smirking as she walked away. Ratchet chuckled in response, watching as Ava disappeared, forcing Shadow to stare after her in a confused way.

"What just happened?" the confident voice threw Ratchet off kilter before chuckling, leaning in to kiss her cheek.

"Giving us some alone time," he whispered.

"For what?"

Silence stretched between them as Ratchet laughed again, slowly beginning the process of removing the IVs in her arms. Shadow looked at him as he just shrugged, watching as the machines around them started to shut down one by one. Shadow felt like the whole scene suddenly switched, unsure of how to react to it. That is until the last of the machines were removed from her and Ratchet leaned forward, kissing her again. That is when she knew. And the blush that crept up her cheeks was enough for Ratchet to push forwards, erasing the pain in the only way he knew how.

With love.

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Boti: Okay, hello again. Sorry but life just took over and I try to write at random times but I also have been sleeping like the dead for the past several days. Just so tired. But I got some time so I wrote this chapter. Seems a little rushed but it was sweet. I tried to make it a bit longer too so that may be why. But this isn't the end, yet. I think one or two more chapters, then this one is done!

Question to all, should I rewrite Prime's Princess? I feel like a revision is in order for that one since my writing has improved. What do you all think? Let me know in the reviews!

MISSED YOU ALL! HOPE YOU ENJOYED!
P.S. MAINTAIN THE GOLDEN RULE! NO FLAMES!