No Rhyme or Reason
Chapter 29
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
Letting Hot Rod out of the med bay in Optimus' custody was a relief for Ratchet. It got the young upstart out of his way for a while, and gave Hot Rod a chance to decide if he really wanted to pursue Optimus or not. That was a topic he was going to discuss with the young Autobot at some point. Also, it would hopefully help Optimus move past Elita-1, and quickly, make him see there were other options. The Autobot leader's singular devotion to the femme was admirable, but his tunnel vision made him exclude other opportunities. Once it became common knowledge the Prime was available, Ratchet expected Optimus would be beating them off with a stick, but maybe not.
The opportunity to grill his commanding officer presented itself later that afternoon when Optimus walked into the med bay. Alone. Without his charge.
Ratchet's optics narrowed as he stepped out of his office, facing his Prime.
"Where's Hot Rod?" he asked. "Did he escape?"
"No," Optimus said. "He's with Daniel and the Dinobots in the rec room, telling them stories."
"You left Spike's kid alone with the Dinobots and Hot Rod," Ratchet said. "Don't come crying to me when Carly hurts you if anything happens to Daniel."
"Nothing will happen to Daniel," Optimus said.
"Why are you here?" Ratchet asked, changing the subject.
"I suppose I have you thank for the fact I woke up in my berth this morning?" Optimus asked.
"You're welcome," Ratchet said. "Want to talk about anything?"
"No," Optimus said.
"I'm going to give you some advice—think of this situation as an opportunity. You could start seeing other bots," Ratchet suggested, testing his Prime's temperament on the subject.
"Who, exactly, would you suggest I see?"
"Whoever catches your fancy," Ratchet said. "Hot Rod maybe? You've been spending a lot of time together."
"No thanks to you," Optimus said.
"You think it's a bad idea?"
"Don't meddle in my personal life," Optimus snapped.
"You jackass," Ratchet said. "I just want what's best for you. That's for you to decide, of course, but I'm your friend, and your medic. Take it from me, I think Hot Rod likes you. It might be worth pursuing."
There. Meddling complete, for the moment
"Are you out of your mind?" Optimus snapped. "What about taking time to grieve and heal?"
"You got dumped. No one died," Ratchet said with a snort. "Nothing except your pride, I suppose."
"But. . ."
"Elita's already moved on," Ratchet said. "You will too, given enough time. Go back to your sparkling-sitting."
88888
A fitful recharge was enough to oust Optimus Prime from his berth at an early hour, wakefulness sending him out of his quarters. Except he stopped when he saw Prowl and Springer exiting the triple changer's quarters. They were headed away from him, and Optimus frowned, continuing on to his office.
88888
Hot Rod sat with Optimus in one of the city's various courtyards. The sun was setting, and Hot Rod was enjoying the company of his Prime. Just a nice, quiet, uneventful evening so far. Normal. Normal was weird sometimes, considering their lives, but Hot Rod would take it. A good ending to the day until Optimus spoke.
"Hot Rod, we need to talk," Optimus said.
He felt the instant spike in the younger mech's energy field, and there was a momentary look of panic in his optics.
"I haven't done anything. . ." Hot Rod started.
"I know," Optimus said. "It's about Springer."
"Oh Primus, what has he done now?" Hot Rod asked.
"I know he's your best friend, and I'm keeping this in mind, but I have to ask," Optimus said. "I know for a fact he's disobeyed orders, staying here in the city, but if it's to see you, I understand."
"I've barely seen Springer lately," Hot Rod said. "What are you talking about?"
"Several days ago I saw Springer leaving his quarters here at the city," Optimus said. "He wasn't alone. Were you aware he was seeing Prowl? And I saw them leave Springer's quarters together again this morning."
"What?"
Apparently not, Optimus mused silently.
"He's been ordered to stay at the Ark until further notice," Hot Rod said. "Your orders. What in the Pit is he thinking?"
"Hot Rod, it's all right," Optimus said. "As I said, if he's stayed to see you, I'm willing to make an exception. . ."
"Thanks, but no. And no, Springer hasn't come to see me," Hot Rod said, not caring if he was further incriminating his friend. "We're supposed to be staying out of trouble, not making more."
"You're doing a decent job of it," Optimus said.
"Only because I'm confined to the med bay," Hot Rod snapped. "When I get out, I'm going to knock some sense into him."
"Violence won't solve anything," Optimus said.
"It'll make me feel better," Hot Rod said.
He was witnessing Hot Rod's legendary temper first-hand. Optimus figured he was just watching the warm-up to the real thing.
"Hot Rod, we'll deal with it," Optimus said. "I'm willing to help, not just as your Prime, but as a friend."
"Some friend Springer is," Hot Rod said. "What in the Pit is he thinking?"
His Prime greeted him with silence, arms crossed, head cocked to the side.
"Yeah. . .well, have fun disciplining Spring this time," Hot Rod said.
"He hasn't talked to you about this, ah, relationship?" Optimus asked.
"No."
"I'm sorry you found out about it in this manner," Optimus said.
"Doesn't surprise me," Hot Rod said. "I just hope he isn't blowing off steam because of what happened with Arcee."
"That makes two of us," Optimus said.
