"Your processor must be damaged, Screamer. There's no way the Autobots are taking you in," sneered Wheeljack. "Not after all of the slag you've pulled."
"I don't believe the decision is yours, Wheeljack. Last time I checked, Optimus Prime was leader. And he is all about giving a mech a chance to change, isn't he?" Starscream retorted smugly.
"Both of you shut up," spat Ratchet. "You're not going to have to worry about second chances, Starscream, if I don't get you patched up. Sit back while I try to stop the bleeding. Wheeljack, hand me my-."
"If you think for one second that I'm going to help-"
Ratchet sprung up from his kneeling position in front of Starscream and stood within inches of Wheeljack face.
"Last time I'm going to say this Wheeljack: This. Is. Your. Fault. You are going to do exactly what I tell you to do, or Primus help me, I will-". Ratchet advanced towards the Wrecker.
Wheeljack threw his servos up and back away.
"Ok, ok, Doc. Whatever you say. Frag it."
"Good. Now hand me my tools. And quit calling me Doc."
Megatron, Soundwave, and five flyers touched down at the Harbinger. Laserbeak reattached to Soundwave's chestplate and reported.
:Knockout is inside with the human, my lord.
"Then let us retrieve the good doctor," said Megatron as the Decepticons headed towards the entrance. But before they could enter, Knockout appeared in front of them, carrying a Kerri in his servo.
"My liege," said the doctor.
"Knockout. How good to see you again. And this must be the human," Megatron said as he approached. Kerri shrank into Knockout's hand as Megatron towered over the smaller Decepticon and looked down at her.
"Her name is Kerri," Knockout informed the warlord.
"Yes, I know," answered Megatron. "I must admit, Kerri, you have caused me quite a bit of trouble."
"I just want to go back to the Autobots," she said quietly. "I never wanted to cause any trouble."
"Nevertheless, you have. And now I seek to remedy that trouble."
"Let me go back to the Autobots and Knockout can return with you."
"But you see, Kerri, it isn't that simple. As long as you are alive, the doctor will search for you. If I were to eliminate you, however, he will no longer obsess." Megatron grinned down at her as he extended his servo.
"Give her to me, Knockout."
"We need to get Kerri out of there, sir. Now!" Ultra Magnus said impatiently.
"Agreed," answered Prime. "Smokescreen, are you ready?"
"Ready, sir," answered Smokescreen as he readied the phase shifter.
"Get Kerri away from Knockout and move. We won't get another shot at this."
'Primus, let this work,' thought Magnus. He wanted nothing more than to go after Knockout himself, But Smokescreen was more experienced with the shifter. And having Megatron present made the situation much more urgent. The primary concern was getting Kerri to safety.
Knockout looked Megatron in the optics.
"I won't let you kill her. I will return to the Nemesis, but only if I can take her with me."
"Are you issuing me an ultimatum, Knockout?", growled Megatron, fusion cannon pulsing to life.
"You need me, my liege," Knockout purred. "No Kerri, no Knockout."
"I see."
The sound was deafening as Megatron fired a single blast at Knockout. The stunned Decepticon looked down at the hole in his chest before looking back at Megatron in shock. His mouth moved, but no words came out. Knockout dropped to his knees before falling over onto the desert floor.
"I don't need anyone, Knockout," hissed Megatron as the light faded from Knockout's optics.
The blast from Megatron's fusion cannon freed Kerri from Knockout's grip, and she felt herself hurtling through the air. She slammed her eyes shut and braced the impact and certain death.
"Gotcha, sweetspark! Hang on!"
She recognized Smokescreen voice as his servo closed protectively around her. The Autobot rolled before transforming to vehicle mode and racing away from the stunned Decepticon troops.
"I've got Kerri, sir. She's safe."
Megatron fired several times at the retreating Autobot before lowering his weapon.
:Do we pursue, my lord?
"No, Soundwave," he answered flatly, looking down at Knockout's gray form. "Return to the Nemesis. We've lost two Decepticons today."
:?
"I'm certain Starscream is gone as well."
The children crowded around the Autobot base to welcome Kerri, who was firmly perched in Magnus' servo. She assured everyone that she was ok. Agent Fowler informed her of the need for a debriefing, only when she was feeling up to it, before turning his attention back to Optimus.
"You and I are going to need to discuss Starscream. Very soon. I'll be in touch."
"Very well, Agent Fowler," he rumbled as Fowler departed the base.
Keri looked over to medbay, where Ratchet was hovering over an unconscious Starscream.
Ultra Magnus followed her gaze.
"Starscream told us where Knockout was holding you," he explained.
"Why would he help you?"
"He was severely beaten by Megatron for assisting Knockout. He helped in exchange for medical aid. Ratchet needed to bring him back to headquarters in order to save his life. He will be confined as soon as he is out of danger. Are you comfortable with his presence here?"
"I'm not afraid of him, if that's what you're asking me. I guess we'll see."
Magnus lifted her up to optic level.
"I'm very happy that you're ok," he smiled, stroking her face. "I would have never forgiven myself if anything had happened to you."
"I love you, Commander. And don't worry. You can't get rid of me that easily," she smiled.
It was evening. The children had gone, and everyone had headed for recharge. Ultra Magnus had retreated to his ship, where Kerri promised to join him shortly.
The woman walked over to Ratchet, who was still in medbay. Starscream was in stasis, hooked up to machines that monitored all of his vitals.
"How is he, Ratchet?" she asked, climbing into the table.
"He'll pull through," sighed the doctor. "But I'm not sure some of the damage won't be permanent."
"You'll take great care of him. Like you do with everyone," she smiled.
Ratchet looked down lovingly at his friend.
"I'm glad you're ok, my dear. You mean the world to me. But you know that, don't you?"
"I feel the same way, Doc."
"Now that we have that out of the way, don't you ever scare me like that again. I don't have the patience to train another assistant!"
Kerri laughed. "You forgot to say 'And don't call me Doc!'"
"You, my dear, can call me Doc," he smiled at her.
Wheeljack was standing outside the base entrance, staring up into the night sky.
"Penny for your thoughts, Jackie," Kerri said as she stopped beside him.
"I think you already know, my thoughts, babe. I almost got you killed. I'll never forgive myself for that."
"I forgive you, Wheeljack. You only wanted me to be safe. And I am."
"Yeah, well, no thanks to me. I screwed up too much this time, babe." He turned and knelt to his friend.
"I'm glad you're ok, kid. But it's time for me to go. No, no, don't say anything. The bots are pretty pissed at me, and rightfully so. I need to give them some space. I need to give you and Magnus space too."
"I don't want you to go," Kerri said sadly.
"You deserve a break, kid. Besides, I'll be back. I always come back." Wheeljack leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek as Kerri threw her arms around his neck.
"I love you, Jackie."
"I love you too, sweetspark," he answered softly, before standing up, transforming, and rolling out into the night. Kerri wiped the tears from her eyes and walked to Ultra Magnus' ship.
Ultra Magnus turned from the ship's console as Kerri walked in. He put out his servo and she wordlessly climbed into it.
"Are you ok?" He asked softly.
"He's gone again."
"I know." Magnus stroked her cheek lovingly. "He'll be back."
"I know," she smiled. "I missed you, sir."
"And I you. Come with me?"
"Of course," she answered, and Magnus wordlessly stood and walked to the berth. He set Kerri gently down, before himself shrinking down and climbing into the berth beside her. He pulled Kerri into his arms as she sighed gently.
"This is where I belong."
"You're right. And I'll never let you go again."
A/N. That's it! Done! Thanks to everyone who enjoyed my very first fanfic, definitely not my last. It wasn't perfect, and I've certainly learned a few things on the way. But I'm always open to learning more. Any constructive criticism is greatly welcome. I'm strongly considering a sequel to this story, but in the ,meantime I've read MTMTE, and am currently reading The Lost Light, so my next story may revolve around that. No OC next time, just existing characters. I already have a few plots in mind. Continued reading and storytelling all!