HI! I'm back! I missed updating for you guys so much last week! You all are such wonderful readers/reviewers! (It was a lovely trip, though!)

It's a shorter chapter, but I had to have an update for you guys. I couldn't let you all down! I don't feel like it's quite polished enough, but I have midterms to study for and several assignments due (all this after being away for a week and a half), so… compromise. And I can rewrite later if need be.

And to my unknown/guest reviewer: No, you're not reading too much into anything with Soundwave and Chromia. I love writing the various angles of their story/stories. Soundwave can say one thing (and it might not even be wholly true) and hide what he wants to hide. Chromia can say one thing, but she too could be hiding something, one never knows. It's all complicated. As for what is keeping Soundwave with the Cons and Megatron, ah… That remains to be seen.

And to everybody I PM with, I'll get back to you guys later/eventually when things have slowed a little with the crazy rush of homework and midterms. *runs screaming from midterms*

*Hugs everybody*

Chapter 25

Auri glanced over at Ratchet with a bit of curiosity, surprised but not bothered by his presence.

"All the world's a stage," she said, climbing onto a table, "And all the people merely actors."

Praxus sat on a lounge, sitting cross-legged. "That's rather narrow-minded." He commented. "Why not say universe? 'All the universe is a stage.' Etc."

Auri shrugged with a giggle. "I don't think Shakespeare knew that there were other beings in the universe." She stated, "Or, if he did, I rather doubt he was going to mention them. Humans were rather superstitious then, and they might have thought he was wacko. He probably didn't want to get burned at a stake. His writing was interesting enough without adding extraterrestrials anyway."

Ratchet pursed his lips, dubious as to the historical accuracy of Auri's statements. Either she needed to review her history facts, or he needed to review his history facts. They didn't actually burn people then, did they…?

"Besides," Auri added, with a matter-of-fact tone, "They weren't very technologically advanced in those days. They couldn't even communicate wirelessly over long distances. They had to send messengers on foot or on horseback. They probably couldn't even conceive space-travel and aliens. Most of them, anyway. Now. Hush. I'm going to present Shakespeare."

"Okay, okay." Praxus said, but Ratchet could tell that the young mech was still rather curious about the earlier humans' lack of galactic awareness. Their optics met, and Ratchet smiled as he moved closer to Praxus.

"I'll get you some downloaded history books," he said in a low tone, "And you can find out more about the humans' history, if you like."

"Okay." Praxus said.

"Hush, I said." Auri ordered, a mock stern look on her face. "You bad mechs will get kicked out of the theater for interrupting my presentation."

"Your presentation hasn't even started." Praxus pointed out.

"Because you keep delaying it." Auri replied, pointing at him.

Praxus fanned his wings upwards. "It's not my fault that you picked something obscure."

"I'll have you know that Shakespeare is the least obscure thing on earth that I could have picked." Auri replied, arms akimbo.

"Younglings," Ratchet reproved, shaking his head as he frowned at them.

Auri's optics widened. "Oh, Ratchet, we weren't really arguing." She said, her voice an earnest one. "It was all in fun, and Praxus knows that. Don't you, Praxus?"

Praxus nodded. "It's just a game." He told Ratchet, but he didn't look entirely sure that it was an "okay" game. Ratchet's next words confirmed his doubts.

"I see now." Ratchet said, "But you should chose 'nicer' games to play. We have enough arguing around here without mock-arguments. Okay?"

Praxus nodded. "Yes, sir."

There was a pause of silence.

"May we begin now?" Auri asked hopefully.

"Begin, O' Master of Ceremonies." Praxus said, extending his hands in a motion of praise.

Auri bowed, and the dutiful audience of two applauded.

"Now, first I shall present The Tragedy of Othello." Auri said. "Ahem. "There once was a Moore named Othello,
"Who seemed like a pretty cool fellow,
"But he had a wife,
"And he took her life,
"So it seems like he wasn't so mellow."

Ratchet hid his face.

Praxus blinked.

Auri grinned. It was a terrible limerick, and she knew it. That was what she found so funny about it, the reactions that it brought. "In all seriousness now," she said once Ratchet had recovered, "I shall present Othello."

She paused, and then she began a very good and very accurate summary of Othello, including bits of the conversations and speeches when she chose. She spoke with a story-teller tone and expressive hand and wing motions, her whole body expressing the characters' feelings and emotions. Ratchet could tell that she had worked this, spending time and energy in planning it out and practicing. Her presentation was a work of art in itself.

She finished off the presentation with bowed head and lowered wings, appropriate for the setting where nearly all the characters had been killed, and Ratchet clapped his hands.

"Well done, Auri." He praised, "Very well done."

Praxus eyed his medic doubtfully then clapped his hands as well but said nothing.

"You didn't like it, Praxus?" Auri asked, sitting down on the table.

Praxus lowered his optics. "You presented it very well, but I did not like the story."

Auri paused, thinking about it. They did all die in the end, and that was not happy. "I guess it didn't end very pleasantly…" she said.

"It didn't indeed!" Praxus looked upset, "They all backstabbed and killed each other! I don't see why you should like to retell that!"

"I… It… it's just story, Praxus." Auri got off the table and gently hugged him, dismayed at having upset him. "It never really happened. It wasn't real. You don't need to be upset by it. It never happened."

"I still don't like it." He murmured, head down in apology.

"That's alright." She said soothingly, rubbing his shoulder. "You don't have to like it, and I won't tell it in your presence again. Okay?"

"Okay." He said.

"I have one of the comedies prepared, would you like to hear it?" she asked, hoping to reconcile him to the Bard.

"Does everybody die in it?" he asked reproachfully.

"Oh, no! Nobody dies at all. It's funny. Very funny!"

"Well… okay." He said reluctantly.

Auri nodded and gave him another hug, and then she returned to her stage. She began her rendition of A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Praxus was snickering within a few minutes. Auri played up the humor perfectly, and by the middle of the presentation, she had Ratchet smirking and repressing chuckles, and Praxus laughed outright.

"There." She said after the end, "Was that better?"

Praxus nodded happily. "Oh, yes! Much better."

"I'm glad." Auri said, meaning it with all her spark. "Now, shall we have some sonnets?"

Praxus nodded despite not being entirely sure as to what a "sonnet" was. A few moments later, though, he found that he liked sonnets and that Auri recited them beautifully. He listened with rapt attention, marveling at how she spoke and how the words worked together in such lovely ways to convey deep meaning. He felt in awe suddenly as he realized that the sonnets had been written in English and Auri was reciting them in Cybertronian. What work it must have taken to translate something so intricate and meaningful without losing its emotion.

He glanced over at Ratchet, and he could tell that Ratchet was impressed as well.

Auri finished her selected sonnets and bowed to the mechs' applause. Then she hopped down off the table to sit by Praxus.

"Did you like those?" she asked,

"I liked them very much." Praxus said sincerely as he snuggled her. "They were lovely."

"I'm glad." She looked up at him gently, "Elita translated them because she's into languages and such, and I thought you might like to hear them."

"Thank-you…" Praxus said softly, trailing off a little. He wasn't sure why she would think he should hear them, but he was glad she did, for they made him happy. No one would love him like that, he thought, but he found it reassuring to know that such love did exist.

OoOoOoOoO

(Day twenty-five after Soundwave's arrival; twelve after Praxus's)

"Now what?" Praxus asked Ratchet. They were cleaning everything up in the main room in Med-Bay, and it looked like there wasn't anything else that could be cleaned. The place looked immaculate.

"Now…" Ratchet looked around and felt his spark sink. There was nothing else to tidy. He'd used the cleaning as a way to procrastinate, and now there wasn't any cleaning left to do. He sighed. "I guess we're finished."

Praxus flopped down on the couch with a sigh of contentment. "Good. I'm glad."

"Yeah…" Ratchet wandered over. "Thanks for helping." He said, not really meaning it. He'd started out by himself, and Praxus had really, really wanted to help. With Praxus's help, the job had taken half as long, thereby shortening Ratchet's procrastination.

"What's wrong, Ratchet?" Praxus asked, looking up at him. He could tell; something wasn't quite right with Ratchet's mood.

Ratchet sighed and sat down on the couch beside him. "Well… there's something I need to tell you," he said slowing, looking down at his hands, "And… neither of us are going to be happy about it."

Praxus hesitated, stiffening a little. "What is it?" he asked, his tone growing guarded. He didn't want to hear something that would make him unhappy. –Especially not from Ratchet.

"Well… the… the good news… the thing to be happy about, is that you are healthy now… nice and well, not sick or… or anything like that."

Praxus made a little anxious sound, begging Ratchet to get the bad news over with.

Ratchet bit his lip. "Since you're well, you… I have to clear you from Med-Bay, sign your release documents."

Praxus paused at the terms. "That means…"

"That means you won't be staying in Med-Bay anymore."

Praxus looked upset. "But- I- I want to stay in Med-Bay!"

"I know you do." Ratchet said, looking down.

"I want to stay."

"You can't, Praxus. I have to kick you out. It's-"

"NO!" Praxus yelled, jumping up, "I don't want to go! I don't!" he stamped a pede.

"It's not my choice, Prax."

"I don't want to go! Don't! Don't! Don't make me go!"

Ratchet rose. "Praxus-"

"NO!" Praxus roared, "I trusted you! You were safe for me! Now you're turning me out! Just when I almost trust you completely! I hate you!"

Ratchet felt pain in his spark at that, but he shook his head. "No, Praxus, you only hate my actions. You don't hate me."

"I HATE YOU AND YOUR ACTIONS!" Praxus yelled, fists clenched. His optics were hidden behind his visor now, but Ratchet knew that they were filled with misery and betrayal. "How can you do that to me?" Praxus cried. "I felt safe! I-I-I actuall-lly f-felt safe!"

"Praxus," Ratchet said softly, "I'm sorry," He reached out towards the upset mech-ling, but Praxus slapped his hand away, hard. It stung, hurt almost more than anything.

"Leave me alone." Praxus said, turning a shoulder and raising his wings defensively, "You hurt me. I trusted you, and you hurt me."

Ratchet bit his lip. He wanted to talk to Praxus and help him understand that sending him from Med-Bay wasn't his choice, but he could tell that Praxus wasn't able to listen at present. He felt like his spark was being torn to pieces, too.

"I'm sorry." He whispered,

"GO away!" Praxus spat, shoulders shaking.

Ratchet moved his hand helplessly then slowly turned and left, leaving Praxus to himself.

Praxus dropped to the couch with tears in his optics then curled up to sob into a pillow, his spark broken at Ratchet's betrayal of his confidence. He'd thought that his home would be in Med-Bay, that he would always live in its safety and under Ratchet's protection. He couldn't stand that thought of being away from the only place where he'd felt truly safe, and he hated it that he'd been stupid enough to trust Ratchet. Ratchet had always meant to kick him out and had never said anything about it. Ratchet had gotten him to trust him, and now he was turning him over to who-knows who, someone else who might do something bad to him.

Praxus cried for a long time, grieving deeply, but then his tears slowed and his sobs quieted. He whimpered and sniffled from time to time, and then he grew mostly quiet, only sniffing once after a little while.

Then, in the quietness of the room, once he had calmed down, Praxus began to feel that he wasn't entirely alone… someone was there but not saying anything. He shifted his head and the pillow a little and peeked to see.

Prowl was standing there, partway between the couch and the door, his expression veiled, the cold blue optics not betraying a single thought behind them.

Praxus hid his face again. He didn't want Prowl to say anything to him. Prowl might be harsh about him crying. Anybody among the M-Y and the Cons got ribbed pretty badly for shedding even a single tear.

"Is Ratchet in?" Prowl asked presently.

Praxus shifted the pillow a little so his voice wouldn't be too muffled. "I th-think so, but I don't know where he is." He felt sick at the thought of Ratchet, miserable and abandoned. His spark felt like it was going to snap in two. "Nor do I care!" he retorted.

Prowl shifted a wing. "Which is to say that you care very much." He stated, his tone detached. "What happened?"

Praxus sniffed and hid his face a little deeper in the pillow. He didn't want to talk about it with some icy police investigator automaton. He wanted Ratchet back, the Ratchet who hadn't turned on him.

"Praxus." Prowl said inexorably.

"R-Ratchet's going to kick me out."

Prowl said nothing then, mulling over Praxus's words. To throw a fit because one was going to leave Med-Bay made absolutely no sense in Prowl's mind, but he knew that Praxus must have had a reason. He considered Praxus's word-choice. It was Ratchet who was sending him away; Ratchet was taking the action, not Praxus. It wasn't "I have to leave Med-Bay"; it was "Ratchet is going to kick me out."

Prowl blinked. Did Praxus actually think that Ratchet wanted him gone? Ratchet never liked letting his patients go, and certainly not his 'pet' patients. Ratchet hadn't hidden his paternal affection for Praxus, so why would Praxus think Ratchet wanted him gone?

Prowl paused as he eyed Praxus again. He wasn't going to figure this one out on his own anytime soon.

"Why does that upset you?" he asked.

"I thought I was going to stay always and be safe here."

Safety. Prowl felt a byte of sympathy for the other mech. Feeling safe was something that every bot wanted, especially those who had been through traumatic experiences. Prowl could not deny that Praxus had had a traumatic life. He couldn't let himself be sympathetic about Praxus's overwhelming lack of logic, though. The sooner Praxus would learn to use logic, the less he would suffer.

"Praxus, nobody stays in Med-Bay forever. It is completely illogical to assume that you would stay here once you have recovered."

Praxus hunched his wings. There it was, the verbal slap that he'd been waiting for; paraphrased, 'Illogical idiot, clearly you don't have much by way of a processor or you would have known better.'

"I understand the primal need to feel safe," Prowl said, "But you cannot expect to dwell permanently in a lodging meant only for temporary stays."

Praxus didn't say anything. There wasn't anything he could say to that. He hated senior officers bitterly for their power over him and the helplessness he felt under them.

"As for Ratchet 'kicking' you out," Prowl added, "It is not his will to send you away. The financial department dictates that patents may not be kept much longer than necessary because of the greater cost of housing them in Med-Bay. There are other regulations as well. Ratchet would keep you here if he could; he is not happy about letting you go at all, and he will probably mope for a couple days after your release."

Praxus felt sick and hated himself. Prowl wouldn't lie to him, and that meant that he must have hurt Ratchet's feelings horribly when he'd yelled at the dear old medic. A wail of dismay broke from his throat when he remembered that look on Ratchet's face as his words, 'I hate you.'

Prowl sighed quietly as he watched Praxus break down and sob. He'd meant to help Praxus feel better, but his words had clearly had the opposite effect. He felt frustrated. Praxus was worse than Auri.

"Now what?" he asked over Praxus's bawling.

"I don' wanna talk about it!"

Prowl left, sensing his level of stress rising. He went down the hallway that led to some rooms and Ratchet's private office. Two small someones darted behind a door. Prowl paused then went to that door, pushing it open carefully. Two small red visors glowed up at him. Flicking on the lights, Prowl eyed Rumble and Frenzy.

"What are you two doing?" he asked.

The small twins looked at each other then up at Prowl again.

"Snooping." Rumble said, his usual impertinence not present. Actually, they both seemed rather frightened.

"Then do you know what is going?" Prowl asked.

The twins nodded.

"Tell me."

"Ratchet procrastinated all morning long about something, and then he told Praxus that he was going to have to let him leave Med-Bay." Frenzy said, "And was Praxus mad! He shouted and yelled that he had trusted Ratchet and felt safe with him. And he hated him." He added with a little shudder.

Rumble looked uneasy. "Praxus cried for so long because he thought Ratchet backstabbed him."

"What a mess." Prowl murmured. Then he focused on the twins. "Thank-you for explaining." He said, "I suggest you go back to Soundwave's room now."

"Yes, sir." They both said quietly. Prowl pushed the door back a little more, and the two small Cons passed by quickly and headed up the hallway. Prowl went up the hallway as well. The twins slipped into Soundwave's room, and Prowl went on, heading for Ratchet's office.

Prowl knocked lightly on the door once he got there.

"Go away, Prowl." Ratchet's voice growled from within.

Prowl hesitated. He'd come for a report, which was already late, and he'd meant to get it. If Ratchet was upset, though, he wouldn't be doing any good by hectoring the medic. And he probably wouldn't be getting the report anyway. He touched the door gently as if he could reach out to Ratchet through it, and then he turned quietly and went back to the main room of Med-Bay.

He headed for the door, but Praxus was too miserable to ignore. As an Enforcer, Prowl had to make things be at peace, and Praxus certainly wasn't at peace.

"Praxus," Prowl said, approaching him.

Praxus hunched his wings and shoulders, expecting blows or hard words.

"Praxus, what can I do for you?"

Praxus shook his head. "J-just l-leave m-me b-be."

Prowl felt that that wasn't an option. "Would you listen to Ratchet?"

Praxus nodded miserably. He was never going to yell at poor dear Ratchet again. He felt sick when he thought about what he'd said to the innocent and caring medic. He pressed the pillow hard against his face and wished that he could take everything back, redo the whole awful morning. He struggled with his self-hate and his misery for a while, and then he heard two set of pedes approaching. One stopped, and the other came to him.

"Praxus," Ratchet said quietly, "I'm here."

"Ratchet, I'm sorry." Praxus choked out, clenching the pillow's material tightly in his fists. "I-I w-was w-wrong. I d-don't h-hate you."

"I'm glad to hear that." Ratchet said, his tone gentle.

Praxus rolled over and looked up at Ratchet. "I'm a very glitched up being." He said, "But please forgive me?"

Ratchet smiled gently as he nodded. "I forgive you, Prax. I wasn't holding anything against you, though, just so you know."

"You are good, Ratchet." Praxus said softly, feeling unhappy.

"Hey," Ratchet reached out and made the young door-winger sit up then sat beside him. "You are good yourself when you know how."

Praxus laughed ruefully despite himself. "That's awful." He said, but he felt better, and Ratchet gave his back a comforting rub.

Ratchet looked up at Prowl then. "What did you want, Prowl?" he asked.

"The midweek report for my files." Prowl said.

Ratchet paused. "Can I give it to you around three this afternoon?"

"I already gave you a twenty-four hour extension on the deadline," Prowl said, feeling frustrated and abused.

"Two o'clock?" Ratchet bargained.

Prowl lowered his wings. "Alright. But, please, not a minute later. You cause me a lot of delay and hassle when you turn in your reports late."

Ratchet looked down, feeling guilty. He knew. He knew it was an inconvenience. He didn't mean it to be; it just seemed that other things always got in the way or seemed more important at the moment. "I am sorry, Prowl."

"Clearly not sorry enough to amend your way." Prowl said, rebuking him.

"Ouch, Prowl." Ratchet said, but he knew he deserved it. "I'll try better next time."

"Thank-you." Prowl said, but he knew that Ratchet would forget. "Have a good day." He said, meaning it.

"You too, Prowl." Ratchet said, "And thank-you."

Prowl nodded then left.

Med-Bay was quiet, and then Praxus hugged Ratchet, surprising the senior medic. Praxus had never initiated a hug with him and had always stiffened when Ratchet had hugged him. Now, that reserve was gone.

"I'm so so sorry, Ratchet." Praxus said.

"You already apologized, mech-ling," Ratchet said gently, but it healed his spark to hear Praxus's earnest tone. "It's alright. I probably could have done things differently so it wouldn't have been as rough."

Praxus nodded.

They were quiet for a little while, each thinking. Then Ratchet got up and went over to the computer.

Praxus followed. "When do I have to leave?" he asked softly, looking a little forlorn.

"It will be a couple days." Ratchet said, looking up from the keyboard. "There's a bit of paperwork to do, and…" he trailed off and pursed his lips. "And… well, newcomers always have to spend a few weeks with another bot, sharing quarters, so we need to find someone for you to stay with." He said.

"I want to stay with you." Praxus said, no hesitation.

"I'm sleeping in Med-Bay most of the time, Prax, so they won't give that a 'yes.'"

"Oh." Praxus looked down. There wasn't anyone else beside Auri who he felt safe with, and he knew he couldn't stay with her.

"Bumblebee offered you could stay with him." Ratchet watched Praxus for any kind of reaction and saw a swift little shudder run up Praxus's frame.

"I… I couldn't. Not after what I did to him while I was with M-Y. We're working on becoming friends, and that's… that's good, but I couldn't stay with him."

Ratchet nodded that he understood.

"We'll figure it out later." Praxus said with a small nod to the computer, "You should work on your report for Prowl."

"Yeah." Ratchet said slowly. He hated putting together reports. He gave Praxus a pat and told him to enjoy the rest of his morning then turned his attention to the report.

Auri came bouncing in a little while later for Praxus's "schooling," and the two door-wingers carried the instructional data-pads outdoors so that they wouldn't interrupt Ratchet's work.

OoOoOoOoO

Prowl came into Med-Bay at precisely two o'clock, and Praxus looked up from his "homework" that Auri had assigned him before she'd left.

Prowl's optics swept the room briefly before stopping at Praxus. "Is Ratchet in?" he asked.

Praxus shook his head. "No, sir." He answered, "Springer hurt an ankle during battle-practice, and Ratchet went out to take care of it. He left about fifteen or twenty minutes ago."

"Ah." Prowl said.

"He said he should be back soon if it wasn't serious," Praxus continued, "But he left the report on the desk and said for you to take it."

Prowl looked over at the main desk and then across the room at the junior medics' desk. Praxus's optics followed Prowl's as a sense of foreboding filled him. There was no data-pad on either desk.

"His personal desk?" Prowl asked.

Praxus pointed to the first desk that Prowl had looked at. "It w-was th-there last time I l-looked."

"Mm." Prowl walked over to the desk and looked around it quickly but thoroughly then checked the drawers. He stopped and looked at Praxus, who took a step backwards.

"I didn't take it." Praxus said, feeling a little in danger, and Ratchet wasn't there to protect him.

"I do not think you did." Prowl stated, "Were the Con twins in here at any time?"

Praxus's wings twitched upwards in sudden irritation. "They were! They said they were hungry, so I got them some Energon. Those-"

Prowl silenced him with a light hand motion. "I will handle this." He said, going to the hallway. "Rumble and Frenzy," he called, "Come here."

The twins came, practically holding onto each other. It was clear to Praxus that they feared Prowl. They stood small before him and worked to not tremble.

He crouched a little so he didn't tower over them. "Twins," he said, his tone open and reasonable, "Ratchet left a data-pad on that desk over there," he pointed, "I need that data-pad, but it's not there now. Do you know where it is?"

Rumble shook his head, and Frenzy shook his as well after a pause.

"Frenzy," Prowl said, motioning the red twin closer, "Come here, please." He said, and Praxus felt a little sick. He didn't love the twins, but the thought of seeing such a smaller being get abused turned his tank.

Frenzy began to tremble, but he stepped forwards, and Rumble came behind him.

"Do you know where the data-pad is?" Prowl asked again, his tone neither sterner nor softer.

Frenzy shook his head.

"Do you know something else about the data-pad?" Prowl asked, and his tone was a little more gentle this time.

Frenzy lowered his head then nodded.

"What do you know about it?" Prowl asked encouragingly.

"I saw Auri take it while Praxus was getting Energon for us." He said in a small voice. "She popped in for a moment and picked it up and didn't put it back before she left. I don't know where she took it."

Prowl paused a moment to intercom his assistant. Then he nodded to Frenzy. "Thank-you, Frenzy." He said, "She says she picked up it up for me but forgot to tell me. I appreciate your willingness to help find that out."

"Um-hm." Frenzy replied guardedly.

"You may go now." Prowl told him and Rumble, rising. The twins watched him for a second and then hurried off.

Praxus felt like sulking and kicking himself. He'd been quite ready to hit the twins for taking Ratchet's data-pad. And he would have been completely wrong.

"Thank-you," Prowl said to him, "Your suspects led me to the true 'thief.'"

"Yeah." Praxus said morosely, not looking at the officer.

"Praxus, I follow the guideline of 'innocent until proven guilty'; it keeps me from wrongfully punishing someone who might be guiltless. It takes training and practice, for it is not easy to go against the instinct to 'jump to conclusions' and act on them. It takes time to learn, and you have not been here even two weeks, so you need not be discouraged with yourself over it."

Praxus eyed Prowl. Was Prowl trying to encourage him? It seemed like it. "Thank-you." He murmured.

Prowl nodded. Then, "I must go now." He said.

"Bye." Praxus said, watching him leave, watching how Prowl shifted his wings a little as he went through the door. Prowl didn't want a wing getting knocked by the door, and he was slightly vulnerable to that.

Praxus sat, his optics still on the door, and thought about how Prowl had treated the cassettes and how Prowl always treated him. Prowl cut no slack, but he didn't lash out either. He was logically fair. Reasonable albeit cold. Praxus thought long and hard, and it startled him when Ratchet swung the door open.

He half-grinned sheepishly at being startled by a mere door, and Ratchet gave him a smile.

"What's there to jump about, Prax?" he asked.

"I was thinking." Praxus said, "Very deep thoughts."

Ratchet went and washed his hands.

"Ratchet…?"

"Yes, Praxus?" Ratchet paused with the drying towel in one hand.

"I think I want to stay with… Prowl."

"Um…" Ratchet dried his hands and put the towel on the counter. "Prowl?"

Praxus nodded.

"Th-the… the antisocial, non-gregarious, icy-logical law enforcement officer with personal space issues?"

"Uh… yes."

"Who doesn't even like to share a table with another bot let alone a private room?"

"That's the one."

"The morning-creature with a fetish for deadlines?"

"Ratch…"

"Praxus, I don't think this is a good idea!"

"Ratchet," Praxus said in a small voice, "Prowl won't hurt me. He is strict and off-putting, but he's not mean. And I'm a morning-creature." He added softly.

Ratchet paused, focusing on Praxus instead of on himself. Praxus's wings were hunched up a little and his chin was down, an altogether reproachful expression. Praxus really actually wanted to stay with Prowl, and it smarted a little that Ratchet thought he was insane for wanting that.

"You truly want to stay with Prowl…" Ratchet said softly.

Praxus nodded.

Ratchet fingered the drying-towel. "Ah… alright. I can ask." He said, "I'll ask for you."

"Thank-you, Ratchet." Praxus said, his trust restored in his medic.

"It's not gonna be a picnic, though, you know that, right?" Ratchet couldn't even begin to think about what a trial it would be to try to live with Prowl himself.

Praxus smiled at Ratchet, bemused by him. "Yes, Ratchet, I know."

"Okay. Just so you aren't harboring any delusions."

"I'm fine, Ratchet. It won't be a party, but I'll but fine."

"Alright… just…"

"Aigh! Ratchet, don't worry about it."

Ratchet sighed. "I'll try not to." He said, looking down to fold the drying-towel neatly. And then he did quit worrying because he suddenly realized that Prowl would never, ever say 'yes.' Prowl wouldn't agree to having Praxus stay in his personal space. Ratchet paused. Praxus would be ever so disappointed about that.

Ratchet looked over at Praxus, who'd wandered over to the couch and begun to sort through some data-pads. Praxus had been disappointed and mistreated a thousand or more times in his life; Ratchet didn't want that to happen to him again. Besides that, who else could he stay with? Prime and Elita would have been a good pair to take him in, but Praxus was too terrified of them. Ratchet hardly deemed anybody else capable, compatible, or suitable for rooming Praxus with. Mirage was always happy share quarters with newcomers, being a sociable creature, but he and Praxus were on each others' bad sides.

Ratchet paused then came to a decision. Prowl was going to share with Praxus. Ratchet would have to both bribe and threatened, but Prowl was going to share with Praxus. Like it or not.