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Just about everyone commented on Ratchet's kinky-ness. I hope I keep you as enertained as thoughts of him in cuffs seemed to.

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Chapter 29

Optimus Prime waited patiently for his Autobots to appear. Behind him Barricade shifted on his feet. The Decepticon was obviously uncomfortable with the situation. Optimus didn't blame him; most Decepticons would have terminated themselves before turning to an Autobot for help, but with Cameron following him and acting as his conscience Prime wasn't surprised that barricade had finally broken.

Cameron sauntered through the doors with Ratchet close behind her. The medic's normally wry expression was gone and replaced by an unreadable one. Optimus had noticed Ratchet's strange behavior but had put it down to the increased tension between him and Cameron. Although there didn't seem to be any tension there now.

Next came Frenzy scrambling across the floor and up to Barricade's shoulder. The large mech welcomed his Companion back with a small smile and whispered words.

Bumblebee, Jazz and Slider were quick to follow. They nodded to Optimus before making themselves comfortable. The only one they were waiting for now was Ironhide.

There was a crash and a stream of curses before the doors opened again and Ironhide entered pulling Scorponok along by his tail. The Companion hissed and twisted as it tried to get at Ironhide's hand.

"Scorpy." Cameron called softly.

The small mechs head turned, he whirred happily. Using one of the spikes on his tail he stabbed Ironhide's wrist and, once released, he rushed to curl himself around Cameron.

'Hide yelped and rubbed at the wound and presented it to Ratchet. The medic sighed and welded the puncture closed. Once he was free from Ratchet's care he scowled and sent Scorponok an obviously threatening look, his cannons charged lightly.

"Settle down Ironhide." Prime ordered.

The Weapons Specialist crossed his arms across his chest and growled. "Little scrap-pile. Not worth the bolts he's held together with."

"Some have said that about you Ironhide." Ratchet said smirking.

"Mostly you doc." Jazz grinned.

"I heard Chromia say it once." Bee added happily. Cameron chuckled at the hot look on Ironhide's face.

"I did not call you here to discuss this." Optimus said sternly, they turned to him.

"Heh, what's the score Prime? Who's in the air?" Jazz asked still smiling.

"Are they Autobots?" Bumblebee asked hopefully.

Prime shook his head. "No, they're Decepticons, like we feared."

"I kn-knew it." Frenzy smiled triumphantly, only to get smacked on the head by Slider. Prime glared warningly and continued.

"They are a pair of Seekers known as Thundercracker and Skywarp."

"I know them." Bumblebee exclaimed. "They've put holes in my armor more than once."

"Tell us what you know about them Barricade." Cameron ordered gently. The black and white Decepticon looked unhappy but obeyed.

"'Cracker and 'Warp are a team. TC has the ability to produce a sonic boom, Skywarp can teleport. They were a part of Starscream's elite forces when he was still in command."

"And now that both Starscream and Megatron are deactivated what do you expect they will do?" Optimus asked.

"Whatever they want. But as soon as they see any of you, they will fight. They're trained to destroy Autobots."

"Then we can't be the first ones they see." Ratchet said.

"We can't let them roam unchecked." Bee replied.

"Of course not. I wasn't suggesting that."

"We need to get them here to void them doing anything that might cause the human government to delay or prevent out departure." Optimus added.

"If Barricade approached them first they might not be suspicious." Jazz said.

They all turned and looked at the silver mech. Jazz was the most opposed to letting Barricade be free. Why was he giving him a chance to rejoin his comrades?

Cameron watched him curiously. Why would Jazz go from throwing Barricade into a cell to handing him the key?

Jazz didn't leave them wanting. "If we can convince Barricade to be loyal to us then he could lure the Decepticons here and we can go from there."

"Interesting plan Jazz." Prime rubbed at his chin, contemplating.

"'Cept we need the 'Con to change sides."

"The 'Con is standing right here." Barricade said sourly.

Ironhide lifted his cannon to Barricade's head and continued talking. "Making him say he'll do it isn't the hard part. Gettin' him to keep his word is."

"I think you're doing a fine job right now 'Hide." Cameron said. "But maybe we should try and do it without threatening his life."

The Weapon's Specialist looked at Barricade and slowly lowered the cannon. "It's the only way they know how to do business."

"Still, time to change tactics. Barricade will you help?"

"Why should I? I told Prime what you wanted me too. Why do you need me?"

"'Cause I'll send you to Oblivion if ya don't." 'Hide snarled.

"Ironhide! I said change tactic."

Prime stepped forward. "Cameron has a point. It's not the Autobot way to force our beliefs onto others. Barricade must make this decision on his own." He turned to the Decepticon. "Barricade, I'm not going to ask you to join the Autobots, although that option is open to you should you ever feel like being a Decepticon is no longer what you want. I would like to know whether you will help us contain the threat the other Decepticons pose."

"Why should I?" Barricade repeated.

Optimus stopped an outburst from Ironhide with his hand. "Because if they arrive and are allowed free reign over this planet, our cover will be broken and we may never be allowed to leave. At the moment the humans are only tentatively permitting us to operate with restrained freedom. If they find out that war-mongering soldiers are about to land they may decide that we are worth more as research materials than as potential allies."

Barricade tilted his head and remained silent, on his shoulder Frenzy looked into his face and next to Cameron, Scorponok's attention was focused on the Decepticon. Cameron could feel a buzz in the air as communications were exchanged and wished, not for the first time, that she had her broadcasting ability back. Frenzy nodded rapidly and faced Cameron, above her head Scorponok nodded slowly and wrapped himself tighter around her.

"Okay boys, what just happened?"

Barricade turned to face her. "We were discussing our options, as Decepticons we must make a joint decision."

"But Scorpy's not a Decepticon anymore. Are you?" She tipped her head back and gazed into his red optics. Scorponok looked indecisive and jerked his head towards Barricade.

Barricade answered the Companions unspoken plea. "He still wears the Decepticon insignia and emits our signal. For all points and purposes he is a Decepticon."

Cameron frowned and sighed. This was not turning out very well. "Fine. What did you decide?"

"We will h-help you, b-but only b-because we wish to ret-turn to Cybertron-n." Frenzy replied.

Prime nodded, he'd obviously expected an answer like that. "Very well. We will meet again tomorrow and organize a plan. Dismissed."

Everyone escaped the control room. Barricade disappeared to his previous quarters with Frenzy and Scorponok while Ironhide, Jazz and Bumblebee went outside. Cameron was hoping to spend more time with Ratchet only to turn around and see him hurrying towards his medbay, obviously trying to put lots of room between her and him. Scowling, she leaned against the wall and listened to the medic's retreating footsteps. Damn him! Why was he being so distant?

A small poking at her left leg made Cameron abandon her frustrated thoughts. Looking down she saw Slider with her hand raised to poke again. Cameron lowered a hand and the little red femme climbed up to her shoulder.

"Hi sweetie, I feel like I haven't seen you in ages. What's new?"

Slider clicked and whirred cutely before answering. "Not much. I've been spending most of my time with Bumblebee and Frenzy, or playing Age of Empires."

"You really like that game don't you?"

Slider shrugged. "I like the elephants."

Cameron laughed softly. "So, you and Frenzy huh? I guess my intervening didn't hurt after all."

A small frown passed over the red face. "I'm not too sure what's going on in that messed up cpu of his. First he said that we couldn't be together because of the threat from other Decepticons and next he's offering to come for joy-rides with me and Bee. He's confusing."

"They always are." Cameron smiled and sighed softly, thinking of Ratchet.

Together they walked from the control room and towards the main hangar. In silence they made themselves comfortable at Cameron's dining table.

"So, how are you feeling?" Slider asked suddenly.

Cameron looked at her surprised. "Why?"

"You were with Ratchet. Is there a problem?"

Cameron shook her head. "No. Just Ironhide, he almost shot me again."

"What!?" Slider's optics widened. She surged to her feet. "I'll dismantle his guns."

"Calm down sweetie, Ratchet saved me before I was reduced to a smoking heap."

"Hmm, he's good at that, but I don't think you would have died if Ironhide had hit you."

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, remember the last time he shot you? Instead of turning into a pile of ash, you turned to metal."

"So I'd be full metal if he had hit me this time?"

"Maybe." Slider shrugged.

Cameron shrugged. "It'll happen eventually. My hips are already gone."

"All of it?" Slider asked. Cameron nodded. "When did that happen?"

"The metal just kept spreading after I helped you with Frenzy, and then just before I had a little meeting with Barricade. I'm surprised that Ratchet hasn't noticed."

They fell silent, each one focused on their own thoughts. Cameron's head was full of a certain medic, while Slider's was occupied with a small silver assassin.

Desperate for a distraction, Cameron turned to the little femme. "Wanna play AoE?"

"Oh yeah. Let's go." Slider jumped to her feet.


The control room was full again the next afternoon. Prime was quiet as his troops made a racket. The only other one silent was Ratchet, his optics rested steadily on Cameron. Optimus felt that a discussion with the medic would soon be required. It was not one he would be looking forward to.

Pushing that thought away, Prime called the room to order. "As you all know there will soon be Decepticons landing here on Earth. Barricade has agreed to help us bring them under control. But we need a plan and I'm open to suggestions."

"Well, Barricade has to go in first." Jazz said.

"He'll need to take Frenzy with him." Bee added.

"I'm going to." Cameron declared, catching their attention.

"What? Why?" Ratchet demanded.

"How else are we going to get them here without causing a scene?"

"How will you prevent that?" Bumblebee asked.

"The same way I control the rest of you, through your sparks."

"If that is your choice." Prime said.

A short burst of Cybertronian came from her side. #I'm going if you are.#

Cameron smiled and placed a hand on his broad head, a brush of gratitude flowed from her to the Companion.

"None of us Autobots can accompany you Cameron."

"That's all right Optimus. I have faith in them."

"I don't." Ironhide grumbled. Cameron and Optimus sent him warning glares.

"As soon as they are within secure communications range we'll organize a meeting place." Barricade said warily, bringing them back to the topic.

"That's a start." Jazz replied. "What are you intending to do once they land?"

"Bring them back here?" The dark mech shrugged.

"That's really detailed, I'm sure no one will fall through the holes in ya plan." Jazz said sarcastically.

"At least I'm trying." Barricade growled back.

Bumblebee stepped between them. "If Barricade can lure them down, Cameron can zap their energy and we can haul them back here."

Prime nodded solemnly. "Good, a plan that's not likely to be ruined by complicated detail."

"Meaning it's able to bend with the circumstance." Jazz quipped.

"Indeed."

"Then that's it? We're agreed?" Cameron asked. Heads nodded around the circle, all but one. Ratchet. The medic glowered and kept his arms crossed over his chest.

"All right then, let's hope Thundercracker and Skywarp are willing to go along with it."

The meeting broke up several minutes later. Jazz dragged Barricade off to go over the momentarily non-existent details. Bumblebee went off with Slider and Frenzy on one of their regular drives. Ironhide left the base, most likely back to the Lennox's farm, and Scorponok disappeared underground with one last nuzzle. Cameron left Prime staring at the monitors in the control room and chased after Ratchet, who was making a break for his medbay. By the time she'd caught up though the medbay doors were closed and locked.

Sighing despondently Cameron trudged back through the base, maybe she would go and work with Barricade and Jazz.


Cameron spent the next weeks with Barricade, Frenzy and Scorponok learning all she could about the Decepticons. Their laws, beliefs, history and combat stats filled Cameron's head to bursting.

As the days sped past she found that she understood the war-mongering mechs better, she still didn't approve of how they conducted themselves, but she knew now that the behavior was forced on them from the moment they joined the power-hungry faction.

At the moment though she was trying to get Barricade and Frenzy to explain why they had joined the mission to search for Megatron and the Allspark.

"Starscream was our leader and he demanded our attendance."

"That can't be it alone?" Cameron denied.

"Would you prefer us to say that we did it out of the goodness in our sparks?"

"That would be a lie and you wouldn't want to lie to the Allspark, would you?"

"Deception is our way of life. That the Allspark is now as gullible as the Autobots only makes my job that much easier."

Cameron glared playfully at the black Decepticon and stuck her tongue out at him.

"It is good to know that the Allspark is as mature as before." He added dryly.

Cameron raised an eyebrow and cocked her hip. "You're lucky I can't reach you."

"Or what?"

"I'd be playing tetras with your synapses."

Barricade leaned back against the wall. "What's stopping you? You are the Allspark, creator of all aren't you? Why are your powers restricted to physical interaction only?"

Cameron folded arms and shrugged. "Ratchet put something in my head that stops me from using my powers mentally. It also shields my energy signature."

Barricade glanced at the data pads infront of him, his face plates bunched in thought. "Is that why we couldn't sense the Allspark when Starscream had you?"

Cameron nodded. "Slider's protected too."

They fell into silence as they studied their respective documents. Cameron was the first to break. Although she was unsure how to phrase her question it was one that had been digging at her during her lessons in Decepticon culture.

"Barricade, do you have someone special back on Cybertron?"

The big mech looked up in surprise, his optics narrowed suspiciously. "Why?"

"Just curious. I know Optimus and Ironhide have partners up there. I was merely wondering if Decepticons made the same kind of attachments."

Barricade shifted and cast a look at Frenzy, who was currently working with Slider at a computer in a corner.

"Like any others we have the emotions and the ability to maintain a partnership, but creating such alliances are dangerous. The most successful one I ever saw was between Blackout and Scorponok, and that was only because they shared a symbiotic existence. But should an alliance be made with a potentially disadvantageous partner, the consequences are undesirable. The match is broken by others of the faction."

"Broken, how?" Cameron asked even as she knew the answer would not be one she liked.

"By deactivating the undesirable one."

His words were like ice in her heart. "And that would happen if an Autobot and Decepticon were 'allied'?" She watched the pair in the corner.

"Yes. You are obviously aware of the situation I am referring to."

Cameron nodded. "Is there anything we can do to stop anything happening to them?"

"Apart from breaking their alliance ourselves? Nothing."

Cameron looked up at him sharply. "I won't break her heart like that."

"Then you can let them be together for this short time because once the other Decepticons find out, someone will die." Barricade replied somberly. Cameron cast a worried look at the minibots.

Excusing herself from their meeting she set off through the base, Slider and Frenzy's situation heavy in her thoughts.

There had to be something they could do. Maybe Frenzy could become an Autobot? Unlikely, especially since he followed Barricade and the burly Decepticon didn't show any signs of wanting to change sides. Reach with the Allspark's energy, Cameron tried to gain some answers from the world around her. Static filled her head as she failed to connect with anything.

Reminded of her earlier discussion with Barricade she altered her course and aimed for Ratchet's medbay.

The door was unlocked and the room was empty. Sighing quietly Cameron climbed onto one of the benches. The medbay, the base, seemed so very lifeless without the grumpy medic prowling through it. She leaned back against the cool metal, it's texture relaxed her. Quietly musing about the absent, Cameron's fingers played lightly over the bench. The metal was smooth, there was no friction between her fingertips and the table.

She suddenly knew that Ratchet's armor would feel the same. Smooth but not cool, he'd be hot. Cameron had stood next to him numerous times and felt the heat radiate off him. A shiver past over her contrary to the imagined warmth of her absent friend.

The large door squealed on its tracks as it was opened. Cameron jerked up to see Ratchet standing in the doorway. They stared at each other frozen. His optics turned wary as he entered the room. Cameron watched him in confusion as he went straight past her and into his office.

What had she done to upset him now? She wished that she had full use of the Allspark's powers, then she'd be able to find out.

Determination set in and Cameron followed the mech into the adjoining room. He was seated behind the desk that had been specially designed and build to transformer proportions, his focus directed at the data pads scattered across its surface.

Not happy with his attention away from her when she had come looking for him, Cameron sent out a tentative energy touch.

Ratchet flinched and tensed as it slid along his shoulder. His optics dimmed as though he was trying to control something inside him.

He really does hate me. He can't even stand being around me. She thought woefully, the hurt caused by his rejection welled inside her.

With a choked sob she left the room. She was almost at the door of the medbay when Ratchet's voice stopped her.

"Cameron? What is wrong?"

She spun and looked at him with disbelieving eyes. He was now standing not far from her, his expression one of controlled curiosity.

"You don't want me here…I'll see you later."

She'd only taken a handful of steps before she was plucked from the ground. Cradled in Ratchet's hand, Cameron felt her hurt fade as calm settled in her heart. Just as quickly as he had picked her up Ratchet dumped her on a table.

"What brought you to my medbay when I wasn't here?" he asked, jarring her calm.

Straight to business. "I need you to take the power dampener out of me."

His optics watched her intently. "Need to? Why?"

"I want to learn to use all my powers before the Decepticons get here."

"Why are you only asking now? They arrive in ten days."

"I don't know. But it's always best to be prepared right?"

Ratchet looked down at her balefully. "Risking your life in a mission that has the potential to go very badly, very quickly is irrational and stupid."

Cameron smiled softly. "I knew you still cared."

"And why would you doubt that?"

Cameron raised an eyebrow. "You haven't spoken to me or even looked at me since I started working with Barricade, and you're asking why I doubted how much you cared."

Ratchet was silent for a moment before turning away. "You are the Allspark, I'll always care."

Cameron wasn't appeased, she felt her blood heat as her temper grew. Was that the only reason he had spent any time with her?

"Care by varying degrees or just because I'm the Allspark? It's been so long since we've spent any time together that I'm beginning to wonder if you even remember that we were friends." She declared angrily.

She could feel a pain in her temple, no doubt she'd have a massive headache when she was finished yelling at her neglectful medic.

"You do nothing but scowl when I enter a room which you then quickly leave, you say nothing even when I ask you a question. It's like I don't exist to you. The only way I know you're still on base is because Slider tells me. I'm sick to death of this treatment."

Silence rang loudly in her ears as she and Ratchet stared at each other. He hadn't moved an inch since she'd started shouting. Cameron decided that was a good sign, at least he wasn't moving away this time.

"How do your Decepticon lessons go?" Ratchet asked some time later.

"Like you care." She snarled callously, turning her back on him.

"Cameron, showing your immaturity is no way to win an argument."

She spun and glared at him furiously. "We're not having an argument. To do that you need to be talking, which we don't do anymore!"

Cameron didn't need the Allspark to sense Ratchet's desire to escape the medbay and their fight. Why was he still standing there? He could easily throw her out the door or even run away, she wouldn't be able to do anything to stop him.

"What do you want from me Cameron?"

She almost didn't hear his softly spoken words. But she did hear the wealth of emotion in them and knew irrevocably that both of them were hurt by their separation. That she had hurt him further by venting her anger at him made her feel like the worst sort of scum. The desire to fix the rift between them drove her to act. She moved closer to him.

"I want my friend back. I want to be able to harass you and joke with you and be yelled at by you when I've done something stupid. I want my best friend back. Life's not the same without you in it." She looked into his optics and hoped he saw the sincerity of her words.

Ratchet was stunned by the depth of feeling in Cameron's statement. He hadn't realized that she had missed him as much as he'd missed her. He'd thought that she'd been so busy that there was no way that she could have had time to notice he was no longer around her. But here she was, his lovely human-shaped Allspark, declaring that life without him was empty. Unreasonable pride swelled in Ratchet. His shoulders straightened and his chin lifted as though it were her hands making him more important than what he was.

He lowered his head to her level. "I will endeavor to be available to you whenever you desire it." Cameron's smile warmed the centre of his spark. He controlled the jump of longing when she brushed past his hand and pressed against his face. Her eyes were closed as she hugged his cheek.

"I've missed you." She whispered softly, her lips tracing the words across the smooth metal.

Slowly Ratchet pulled away from her. Her eyes shone with tears and warmth. He was caught by the open affection in them.

"I can remove the energy dampener tomorrow. Be here at ten o'clock."

Her smile widened and she nodded. Ratchet helped her off the table and watched as she moved towards the door, with a quick wave she disappeared.

Ratchet leaned heavily against the metal bench. He knew someone was behind him, he knew who it was. He flinched as the mechs distinctive voice broke the silence.

"Told ya I was right. Now stop bein' an aft-head, she needs ya."

Ratchet avoided looking at the silver form as it walked past him and into his office.


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See ya next time,
TammyCat