All's Fair
Chapter 36
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
Kup watched Optimus recharge. How many times had he been in this situation--sitting by Prime's side, wondering, watching, waiting? Optimus' energy field had evened out--Starscream dropped by earlier, on Ratchet's orders, syncing his own energy field with Prime's. The Seeker hadn't complained, simply done as he was told and left. Fortunately, Kup reflected, because he was in no mood to deal with Starscream's oversized ego. Although he had to admit being around Skyfire made the Seeker a little more tolerable.
But back to the issue at hand--Optimus. The lad had been through the wringer the past few days and it didn't look like things were going to improve soon, unless Elita-1 took him back or just got the hell off planet. Kup wanted to go have a little talk with her, but he decided Optimus needed him more. Not that the ancient bot cared about Elita-1 any less, but his separation from Optimus lasted longer than his time away from Elita-1. He'd mentored both of them and Ultra Magnus from the beginning, had been the one Alpha Trion turned to when he needed someone to teach the three young bots how to fight.
But he'd always had a soft spot for Optimus, and now was no exception. He knew what Optimus needed right now was just someone to be there--not to offer advice or criticism, but just a shoulder if it was needed. And right now, he was simply waiting, hoping everything would be all right.
-----
Ultra Magnus entered Ratchet's quarters, steeling himself for what was coming. He wanted to avoid a confrontation with Elita-1, considering how much time had passed since they'd last seen one another. But he new it was a possibility because she was refusing to listen to reason.
She was sitting on Ratchet's berth, looking angry. But Elita-1's features softened when she saw Ultra Magnus. She stood, smiling, wrapped her arms around the big mech.
"I heard you were here," she said.
"We haven't been here on Earth long," Ultra Magnus said.
"I know Kup is with you," she said. "Where did you find him?"
"Hiding out in the colonies," Ultra Magnus said. "But enough about that. We can exchange pleasantries later. Elita, we must talk."
Elita sighed, sitting back down on the berth. Magnus. He hadn't changed. Always so serious and stoic.
"If it's about Optimus, I'm not changing my mind," she said.
"That's between the two of you," Ultra Magnus said. "I'm here because you've refused Ratchet."
"I already had this talk with Prowl and Jazz," Elita said. "I'm not having it again with you."
"Elita, is there. . .a reason why you won't willingly submit to an exam?" Ultra Magnus asked.
The female Autobot frowned.
"Elita. . ." Ultra Magnus started. He didn't want to be insensitive, but someone needed to ask the question. "Elita, did you interface with Megatron? Is that why. . ."
"No, I did not," she answered, meeting the bigger bot's optics. "If you want to know why I keep putting Ratchet off, I just want to be left alone. I don't want to be pitied, poked or prodded. I just want to be left alone for a while. Is that too much to ask?"
"Then. . ."
"I seriously didn't think Ratchet would relieve me of duty," she said.
"He is serious," Ultra Magnus said. "He's been on Prime so much lately he even switched places with him for two days."
"Remind me not to anger him again while I'm here," Elita said.
"That's a point to consider at all times," Ultra Magnus said, a wry smile on his face.
"Magnus, I have a question for you. You know I did not. . .interface with Megatron. . .but did Optimus?"
"No," Ultra Magnus answered, watching Elita's reaction. She seemed to relax a little, hearing that. "Elita, I have another question. . .are you going to try and work things out with Optimus?"
"Our duty has decided our fates," Elita said.
"Why do you say that?" Magnus said.
"Because," she said. "He won't leave Earth and the humans, and I will not abandon Cybertron. Optimus has made it clear it is his duty as Prime to defend this planet and its inhabitants against the Decepticons. My duty is to protect our home, what's left of it."
"Optimus is not asking you to abandon anything," Ultra Magnus said. "At least consider what he's asking. Don't make a decision you'll regret later."
"Magnus, I've already made that choice, months ago," Elita said. "When I told him I didn't want him anymore. Do you think it was easy to tell him I didn't want to bond with him? To watch him walk away again and again, knowing it could be the last time when I've had him back moments compared to the last four million years? Magnus, I've lost him once. . .I don't think I could lose him again. At least this way, it's my choice, and no one can take that away from me."
"Have you told him this?"
"No," she said.
"You're sure of this then?" Ultra Magnus said. "It's truly what you want?"
"It has nothing to do with what I want," Elita said. "It's what I need. I can't do what I have to do and worry about someone who isn't there. Worrying about the members of my unit is more than enough."
"The others in your unit have mates here, if you haven't forgotten," Magnus said.
"I know that," she said. "They're free to come if they like, but they choose to stay out of loyalty. One day, this war will be over and they can be together again."
"When that day comes, would you want Optimus back?" Magnus said.
Elita didn't answer.
-----
Ratchet rubbed his chin absent-mindedly. He sat in his office, thinking. So much for his authority as the Autobot chief medical officer. Chromia refused to come to Earth, saying she had orders from Elita-1 to stay where she was, and no one, not even Optimus Prime's authority could override those orders until she heard back from Elita.
Femmes. Couldn't live with them, couldn't live without them, Ratchet reflected. With Chromia's refusal, there went one feasible option. He'd hoped maybe Chromia could talk some sense into her leader, but no. The other option was one Ratchet had considered, but didn't want to put into play. Counseling. He was a medic. He could fix frames, patch up wounds and more, but being in the field so long, he hadn't much use anymore for the really touchy-feely stuff. He did help with morale, talked with bots when they needed it, but actual honest to Primus counseling he hadn't done since he was a junior medic doing his residency in Iacon.
Counseling as in dragging Optimus Prime and Elita-1 into an enclosed space with himself as mediator. His head hurt thinking about it. Made him want to go for his high grade stash but it was still early in the day, even though his shift was almost over. Maybe he could hand over the counseling idea to First Aid? He did need the experience, but somehow, Ratchet knew, the responsibility of mediating a truce between Optimus Prime and Elita-1 would probably offline poor First Aid. No, if anyone would do it, he would.
Then there was the little matter of Skywarp and Prime. He'd finally gotten all the way to the bottom of that issue--a field sync was one thing, blackmail another. As far as he knew, there was nothing there but blackmail and and the promise of amnesty from Megatron. Because if there was anything else there, Ratchet was going to kick Skywarp's aft. Prime had enough to worry about.
And back to Elita-1. Relieving her of duty hadn't changed her mind about a routine exam. It was her right to refuse, but Ratchet could be patient. He figured there was nothing wrong, he just needed the piece of mind that she was all right. It was, after all, his job.