(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Over the next several weeks, in between fighting battles with Megatron and his blasted Cons, Optimus spent much time in the med bay, as both his sons and his mate were fighting for their lives against an enemy that only Primus could fight. Optimus didn't like going away from the med bay, but he knew his mate wouldn't be happy if Optimus shirked his duties as Prime. And so knowing it was what Mirage would want, Optimus fought the battles he needed to while Ratchet and/or Aid watched over Mirage and the young ones.
This day, several weeks after Mirage had initially come in, Mirage finally woke. His optics fluttered to life, startling Optimus who happened to have just come back from a battle and had been repaired for a wound he had obtained in the fight. "Love?" Optimus asked, wondering if he was just seeing things. All Mirage could do was groan in pain, as his systems were weak from having fought of the nasty virus that nearly had taken him twice. "I'll get Ratchet to get you something for pain" Optimus stated and he headed to find Ratchet.
Ratchet, who was on the other side of the med bay, was a little surprised when the Prime approached him. "What do you need, Prime?" Ratchet asked, not exactly sure why the Prime was seeking the medic out.
"Mirage has woken up and he is groaning in pain. Is there anything you can give him for that?" Optimus asked, hoping it could be done.
"First, I must examine him, Prime. I don't want to sedate him without seeing where he is functioning at. I will be over shortly. If he is functioning well, even though weak, I will give him something" Ratchet stated. Optimus didn't like that answer because it would leave his mate in pain, but Optimus trusted that Ratchet knew what he was doing and so, Optimus returned to his mate and waited for Ratchet to come.
Back with Mirage, Optimus noticed that the bot was still groaning and writhing in what seemed to be pain, or at least that was what Optimus thought. Optimus hoped Ratchet would come soon. And soon enough, Ratchet came over to check on Mirage. Ratchet thoroughly scanned everything about Mirage, from the solder lines created for the sparklings to be removed to the status of the virus in Mirage's systems. Ratchet found that though it seemed to act as pain, the real cause of Mirage's moaning was that The virus was putting up one last fight. Ratchet sighed. "Optimus, he is not really in pain. His groaning is from the fact that the virus is still trying to attack his systems even though it is severely weakened. I must give him one more dose of strong antivirus to finally knock it out. Hopefully, that will relieve the pain he feels."
Optimus was stunned, as he had never heard of such a thing, but he now better understood why Ratchet had been cautious. "Please, do what you must. I will not lose my mate" Optimus found himself saying. What his parents said had come true – even though they knew little to nothing about each other before they bonded, they had soon learned to love and rely on each other.
"I will give it my all. I will tell you one thing – the fact that Mirage has survived this once before increases his odds of surviving this time, and it increases the odds that your little ones won't suffer like Mirage and his deceased twin did" Ratchet stated, trying to give good news.
Optimus appreciated hearing it. "Thank you, Ratchet, for all you do" Optimus stated gratefully.
Hide, knowing that Optimus had things to do, soon approached. "Prime, sir, I know you wish to stay here but there are somethings that must be attended to in your office, such as the debriefing from this last fight. Bumblebee and Cliffjumper will remain here with Mirage and your young sons and will update us with any new information" Hide stated.
Optimus sighed. Sometimes he didn't care to be Prime, and this was one of those times, as it meant he had to leave his sick sparkmate. But being as that may, Optimus knew he was the Prime and this was one of his responsibilities. "Alight" Optimus stated and followed Ironhide out of the room.
Bee and Jumper knew their responsibilities and stuck close to Mirage. "I hope he makes it Bumblebee" Jumper stated, having not been around Mirage as long as Bumblebee had.
"I know he will make it, Jumper, as I watched him survive before. This was exactly what happened last time, and the last dose of antiviral saved him" Bee stated, unaware ratchet was overhearing their conversation. Ratchet knew at some point he would have to get a health history on Mirage from Bumblebee, as the bot seemed to know so much about the young mate of the Prime.
"If you say so, Bee" Jumper replied.
"Trust me. Mirage will survive this. I know he will" Bee answered Jumper. Jumper nodded as both prayed to Primus and then stood guard, watching over Mirage and the little ones. They knew it was just a matter of time.