Thanks for all the support!
Units of time as I use them:
Astrosecond= .273 seconds
Klik= 1 minute
Joor= 3 hours
Cycle= 1 day
Breem= 1 week
Groon= 1 month
Stellar cycle= year
Meta cycle= 5 years
Deca cycle= 10 years
Orn= century
Vorn= 5 centuries
:underline:- spark twins talking
:bold:- bonded mechs talking
:italics:- comm link
Don't own Transformers!
Chapter 38
"Remind me again why we have to go through all of this?" Megatron grumbled. He was glaring at his brother from across the desk at being told that they were being ordered by Ratchet to have a check-up done. The former Decepticon leader really did not want to have to have anything of the sort. He was just fine, and he would go to a medic when he felt that he needed to.
Optimus sighed. "I know how you feel about check-ups, Megatron, but Ratchet is a great medic because he stays on top of things. He always had the Autobots going through regular check-ups in addition to what he did when we were injured. He wants a full work up on all of the former Decepticons to have medical charts for them and to familiarize himself with them. And don't think the former Autobots are being left out. He already has them set up for check-ups, too."
"So, it's everyone?" Megatron figured it was, so he was a bit less upset.
"Every last Autocon." Optimus assured him.
"And what will happen if one doesn't go?" Megatron asked.
Optimus chuckled. "Well, normally what happens is that Ratchet will start shouting at them to get their afts to the infirmary before he comes after them. If he comes after them, he will normally throw and wrench and knock them offline before he drags them back to the infirmary. And they'll probably get a few more wrenches to the helm and a lecture about being on time to their appointments." He snickered. "And a few threats to their interfacing equipment if they try to slip away while he's doing the check-up."
"Would he carry it out?" Megatron asked.
"I don't know. No Autobot was ever brave enough to try to get away once Ratchet got his hands on them." Optimus answered.
"So the horror stories that we have heard about Ratchet's ways of scaring for his patients are true." Megatron murmured.
"True as can be." Optimus assured him.
Megatron groaned. "I hate check-ups."
"I know you do, but take my advice. Just go and get it over with when he has you scheduled to come. It'll be easier on you in the long run." Optimus told him.
"Do you always go?" Megatron asked.
"Let's just say that I have a habit of working so much that I forget to go. Ratchet gives me a few friendly reminders to come." Optimus answered.
Megatron raised an optic ridge, obviously wanting a better answer than that.
Optimus sighed. "One time he used his authorization to lock me out of the systems of the ship. Another he knocked me out and dragged me there. Another he threatened to put me on two-week leave and make sure I couldn't do any work." He shook his helm. "And then there's the time he threatened to reformat Ironhide's cannons because I wouldn't' come."
"In other words, Ironhide made sure you went." Megatron surmised.
"Yes. Ratchet threatening Ironhide's cannons because I wouldn't go would have the same affect on Ironhide that it would have if Ratchet threatened Starscream's wings because you wouldn't go." Optimus answered.
Megatron grimaced at that idea. He could just imagine what Starscream would do if Ratchet ever threatened the Seeker's wings because of something that Megatron had done.
"You see my point." Optimus leaned back in his chair.
"Yes. Just go and suffer through it. It'll be easier in the long run." Megatron stated.
"Exactly." Optimus chose not to mention the fact that he preferred it that way so that Ratchet did not get angry and frustrated and take it out on him and Ironhide.
"Ah, come on, Sire! Let us go!" Rumble cried.
"We won't do any pranks for the next orn of you let go!" Frenzy added frantically.
Ratchet turned toward the door at the sound of Frenzy and Rumble's begging. He wondered what was going on to make the two act like that. He turned to Hook.
Hook shrugged. "They hate check-ups. Shockwave probably had to wrangle them and force them to come here. If not physically carry them."
Ratchet sighed. He didn't care to deal with hysterical patients, but he knew Rumble and Frenzy were younger, so he had already been prepared to deal with them.
A few moments later, Shockwave entered the medbay holding Frenzy in one hand and Rumble in the other. The twins were struggling with their sire, trying to get away from him with no success. They were twisting and turning as they tried to get the larger mech to let them go to no avail. They knew how strong their sire was, but that didn't stop them from trying to get away from him so that they didn't have to go through a check-up.
Shockwave sighed. "You two aren't getting out of this, so settle down. The sooner you calm down, the sooner it will be over."
Ratchet watched this with a vague sense of amusement. He was really glad that Sideswipe and Sunstreaker did not act like this. Those two hated their appointments with him, but neither of them acted like this. Then again, those two were older than Frenzy and Rumble were. Oh, well. He approached where Shockwave was holding the tow.
"Sorry about this. They have never liked check-ups. I had to drag them from under a few human vehicles just to get them to come here." Shockwave apologized.
Ratchet waved him off before turning his focus to the two in question.
"Get the slag away from us!" Rumble growled.
Shockwave frowned. "Rumble! Enough! Stop acting like this! You know better!" Privately, Shockwave wondered why he was the one that had to do drag them here. Soundwave always managed to get them to behave when something was going on.
Ratchet sighed before pulling out his secret weapon in dealing with younger adolescents. "If you calm down and be good while I give you the check-up, I'll give you both an energon treat."
That caught their attention as Rumble and Frenzy finally stop struggling with their sire.
"Really?" Frenzy asked.
"Yes." Ratchet had never lied like that before, and he wasn't about to start now. He had figured that that would help get the two to calmed own.
"Well, okay." Rumble agreed.
Ratchet nodded to Shockwave to put the two down.
Shockwave did so and was rather surprised when they both stayed there instead of running off like he had expected them to do.
"All right. Come on." Ratchet motioned to the berth.
Rumble was the first one to get up on the berth.
Shockwave was pleasantly surprised when Ratchet was able to give both of them a check-up without either of them having extreme violent reactions to what Ratchet did. Something the one-optic mech had had to deal with on to many occasions. Actually not having to hold them down so that the medic could do what he needed to was a welcome change.
Once Ratchet was done with the check-up, he gave Rumble and Frenzy and energon treat like he had promised.
Once the two had the treat, Rumble and Frenzy took off from the infirmary.
"That was easier than I expected." Shockwave murmured.
"It shows what a little bribery can do." Ratchet replied.
"So why don't you do that to some of the ones that have been your patients for vorn?" First Aid asked.
Ratchet smiled. "That is very simple. None of them are as young as Rumble and Frenzy are. And they know better."
"Well, I'll be getting out of your way." Shockwave stated.
Hook had already seen Ratchet at what he had termed Ratchet's worse, although First Aid had already assured the Constructicon that he had not seen Ratchet anywhere near his worst. This was a side of Ratchet that Hook hadn't thought existed and came to the conclusion that he was never saying that out loud to the CMO as long as he lived. He figured that he would live longer that way.
After spending a breem doing all of the check-ups, Ratchet came to the conclusion that he truly hated being the CMO at the moment. He entered his quarters to find that Optimus and Ironhide were busy playing with their sparklings.
"Uh, you okay, Ratchet?" Ironhide asked, noticing the stress and frustration that seemed evident on Ratchet's faceplates.
Ratchet glanced at him before speaking. "Skyfire, Starscream, and Skywarp are all sparked."
Optimus and Ironhide stared at Ratchet with you-have-got-to-be-kidding expressions.
Ratchet shook his helm. "I am not kidding. Then again, I suppose I shouldn't be that surprised that they are already sparked." He walked over and sat down on the couch.
"Why is that?" Optimus asked.
"Simply put, Seekers are very easy to spark. It's why when they don't want to get sparked they keep reproduction firewalls in place to ensure that they do not become sparked. Needless to say, those were taken down, and they are all now sparked."
"Just out of curiosity, does Hook know how to deliver sparklings?" Ironhide asked.
"'Hide, Laserbeak, Buzzsaw, Ratbat, Rumble, Frenzy, and Ravage are all Soundwave and Shockwave's sparklings. And they were all sparked after the war had begun. Of course Hook knows how to deliver them just as First Aid does." Ratchet retorted.
"Just wondering." Ironhide replied.
Ratchet sighed. "That makes four sparked mechs in all." He shook his helm. "And I expect more to come up sparked because there are several couples I can think of that are either trying or will start trying soon."
"Ratchet, I know First Aid and Hook could easily be the CMO's of the different bases that we are going to be occupying. Are the any others that could become CMO at the final base?" Optimus asked.
Ratchet sighed. "I'm not sure at the moment. I'll look into it, and I already know that I am going to have to start training more medics."
"Well, there are some former Decepticons on their way here. Megatron has informed me that there are a few medics among them." Optimus told him.
Ratchet nodded his helm. "That will help."
"So, anything we can do?" Ironhide asked.
"No. It won't be quite so bad once we're all spread out on the different bases. There's just so many here that it's more than a bit overwhelming. And with only three qualified medics and one medic's assistant, it's a lot to try to handle." Ratchet answered.
"What about the other Constructicons?" Ironhide asked.
"They're being recruited to help with building the new bases. Hook only got out of that because First Aid and I are going to need to help right now." Ratchet answered.
"Well, it'll get easier." Ironhide stated.
"One can only hope." Ratchet muttered.
"We're having a sparkling, TC! We're having a sparkling!" Skywarp was jumping up and down in his excitement at the fact that they were going to have their own sparklings.
Thundercracker winced. "I heard you the first million times, 'Warp. Now please calm down before the humans come to investigate why their base is shaking." He knew the other Transformers wouldn't think twice about it if they felt the ground shaking, but the humans might think otherwise.
Skywarp finally stopped jumping but his optics were bright. "We're going to have a family, TC! I can't believe it!" He bounded over and jumped at his mate, wrapping his arms around Thundercracker's neck while his legs wrapped around his mate's waist. "I didn't think that we would ever get the chance to have peaceful lives or have a family because of the war! But the war's over, there's peace at least, and we're having a sparkling!"
Thundercracker sighed, knowing that he was going to hear Skywarp chatter about this nonstop for the next few breem. He also knew that there was nothing that was going to bring Skywarp down. He wrapped his arms around his mate before moving to sit down on their berth. "I know that this is a great thing, 'Warp. We are finally getting exactly what we have wanted for a long time." He was happy, but he just wished he didn't have such a hyperactive mate. The blue Seeker wondered if Primus would be so merciful as to have their sparkling be more like Thundercracker, or if Primus thought he would be funny by making the sparkling as hyperactive as Skywarp, if not more so.
Starscream groaned into the kiss that he shared with Megatron. While he had been rather certain that Megatron was going to be happy about the fact that he was sparked, he hadn't thought that Megatron would be so happy that he ended up fragging the Seeker into the berth a few times. Not that Starscream minded.
"Hmm. Glad we have our own quarters now." Megatron murmured against Starscream's lips.
"Agreed. I thought that I was going to go crazy being cooped with Thundercracker and Skywarp. As much as I love my trine, they were going to drive me out of my processors. I thought for certain that we were going to be stuck with them for a while." Starscream replied.
"I don't think you ever had to worry about that. Optimus was just trying to get things sorted out before they got us all put in other quarters. At least with four total bases we won't be as cramped on the bases as we are now." Megatron stated.
Starscream nodded in agreement before he smirked. "Just how do you think Optimus would react if he ever found out that we conceived our sparkling on his desk?"
"Let's not find out. I'm not certain that my brother would be able to deal with that too well." Megatron might enjoy tormenting his brother at times, but he most certainly was not going to reveal that little tidbit. He wasn't sure his brother would be able to forgive him for that one.
"I've got a lot that I'm going to have to do, Sky! There's more toys to make, berths to make, bottles, boxes, and so much more!" Wheeljack was already going over in his head just what all he was going to need to get done.
Skyfire reached out and placed his hands on Wheeljack's shoulders. "Wheeljack, all of us are barely into the first stage. You don't have to get all of it made right now. And all you have to do is model the toys after the ones you designed for Hot Rod and Solar Flare."
"Yeah, I know. But there's a lot of them to make!" Wheeljack replied before starting to go through his files, searching for the schematics to the plans for the toys he had previously made.
Skyfire sighed. He had expected Wheeljack's enthusiasm as far as making everything would go, but he had thought that Wheeljack would at least focus on the fact that they were having a sparkling. He had barely said everything before Wheeljack started going on about the fact that there was a lot that he was going to have to do. The sound of things falling to the ground caused the shuttle to look at his mate. He was rather surprised to find that Wheeljack was staring at him with a look of pure shock on his faceplates. "'Jack, what-"
"WE'RE HAVING A SPARKLING!" Wheeljack suddenly shouted.
Skyfire blinked, a bit surprised by the sudden outburst. "Yes."
"I don't believe it, Sky! We're having a sparkling! We're going to be creators!" Wheeljack said again happily.
Skyfire realized that it had taken that long for it to sink into his mate's processors that they were going to have a sparkling. Now, his mate was acting exactly the way he had expected him to. With pure excitement.
Wheeljack immediately bounded over to Skyfire and hugged his mate. "We're having a sparkling, Skyfire! Can you believe it?
Skyfire smiled, glad to see his mate acting exactly the way he had expected him to. "Yes, 'Jack. I can. And I'm glad that we're having a sparkling." The shuttle wrapped his arms around his mate, glad that they were finally having a family as that was exactly what they wanted.
"I know! It's what we've wanted for so long, and we're finally getting it!" Wheeljack was ecstatic that he and his mate were finally having a family. It's what they had wanted for so long, but they hadn't been able to even try due to the fact that they were in the middle of a war. Now, they could have a sparkling, and they were going to have a sparkling.
"Indeed. It would appear that our race may start to thrive again now that we do not have the added pressure of a war on us." Skyfire agreed.
"Yeah. It'll be nice to have more of race come about." Wheeljack replied. He grinned. "And at least Hot Rod and Solar Flare are going to have some company."
"Yes although Prowl and Jazz's sparkling will be their first playmate." Skyfire remarked.
"Yeah. I know. But at least we're going to have a lot more sparklings now." Wheeljack replied.
"Indeed. We are." Skyfire agreed.
Ratchet was working on some of the reports of the check-ups he had done. He had to send copies to both Optimus and Megatron, so he was busy getting them ready. He would glance up every once in a while to see what Solar Flare and Hot Rod were up to, but the two sparkling were playing most of the time or wandering around the medic's lab. Ratchet wasn't too worried about that.
"YOU TWO DID WHAT? I AM GOING TO MURDER THE BOTH OF YOU!"
Ratchet glanced up at the sound of the tactician's enraged voice. "Hmm. Sooner than I expected."
"GET BACK HERE! YOU'RE BOTH GOING TO MEET PRIMUS TODAY!"
Ratchet sighed before standing up and heading out of his office door. He noticed his sparklings following him, so he knelt and picked them both up before heading on out.
Hook and First Aid both looked bewildered.
"Why are Prowl and Barricade threatening to kill someone?" First Aid asked.
Ratchet smiled. "I'll handle it." He handed Hot Rod and Solar Flare to First Aid before heading for the door. He didn't need to.
Tow blurs, one of red and one of yellow, dashed into the medbay and quickly ducked behind Ratchet.
Sideswipe clutched onto Ratchet's shoulder. "Save us!"
"They're going to kill us! Don't let them get us!" Sunstreaker added, holding onto the medic as well. It was something very uncharacteristic of the yellow twin.
Ratchet sighed. He tried to shake the two front liners off, but he found that they had a tight grip on him. "Let go, would you?"
"No way! Prowl won't attack you." Sideswipe looked terrified.
A moment later, two black and white mechs entered the infirmary. One set of blue optics and one set of red optics held pure rage. It was clear that the two intended to kill the twins.
"Get out here!" Prowl snarled.
"Not on your life!" Sunstreaker's hold on Ratchet tightened, and the medic winced at the slight pain it caused.
Barricade growled. "Move, medic."
Ratchet glared at him. "I have a designation, Barricade. Use it. And I will not move. You both need to just calm down."
"Calm down? After what these two neurotic psychopaths did, you want me to calm down?" Prowl was downright livid, and if it had been any mech other than Ratchet standing in front of him, they would have been absolutely terrified.
First Aid and Hook were a testament to that as both had ended up hiding in Ratchet's office with Hot Rod and Solar Flare.
"Yes, I do, Prowl. Getting angry and upset will not change what has happened, and it is not good for you nor the sparkling to get so upset." Ratchet answered calmly.
That did force Prowl to calm down somewhat, although the tactician was still very angry and glared at the twins heatedly.
Bluestreak ran into the medbay a moment later with a look of pure panic on his faceplates. He immediately took in the scene and was relieved to see that Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were still alive, even if they were cowering behind Ratchet.
A moment later, Optimus and Megatron both entered the medbay. Upon hearing the angered shouts from Prowl and Barricade and seeing the two chasing Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, the two leaders felt that it would be best to see what had caused the two mechs to act in such a way. Neither had expected to find Sideswipe and Sunstreaker cowering behind Ratchet or to see the two black and white mechs look like they were going to murder the twins or see Bluestreak look a cross between relieved and terrified.
"What is going on here?" Optimus asked in an authoritative voice.
All optics ended up on Optimus and Megatron.
"What is with all the shouting and running? There had better be a good reason for this." Megatron added, none-too-pleased at the way things had turned out.
"There is nothing going on." Barricade then turned his lethal glare toward Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. "Prowl and I just need to deal with the two idiots who decided ruining my brother was a good idea."
"'Cade, please! Sideswipe and Sunstreaker didn't do anything wrong!" Bluestreak pleaded.
"Nothing wrong? For Primus' sake, Bluestreak! What they did was beyond wrong!" Prowl growled.
Ratchet sighed before comming Jazz and asking him to come to the infirmary. He was going to need Jazz's help to get Prowl to calm down. The last thing the medic wanted was for something to happen to the sparkling because Prowl was so upset. "Now you two need to calm down. Neither of you even listened to what Bluestreak had to say, did you?"
"You knew?" Barricade shouted.
"Of course I knew. I figured out during the check-up. It's why he told you." Ratchet retorted.
Optimus rubbed between his optics, feeling a processor-ache coming on. "All right. Back up and explain to me what in the Pit is going on."
"It's quite simple. While performing the check-up on Bluestreak, I found out that he held a double bond. As such, I asked him who, and he told me that he bonded with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker an Earth year ago. He also had not informed Prowl of the fact that he had even been in a relationship with the two for two vorn nor did he tell any of them that he has been bonded to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker for an Earth year. I told him that he needed to inform his brothers of this." Ratchet glanced at the seething black and white mechs. "I believe that is what has started all this."
"Slagging right it is!" Barricade snarled. A moment later, a wrench ended up in Barricade's faceplates. "Oww!" He glared at Ratchet. "What in the Pit was that for?"
Ratchet growled. "Keep your language to a minimum. Hot Rod and Solar Flare are in my office, and I do not want them hearing such!"
Jazz entered the infirmary. He already knew of the situation and knew that the only reason Ratchet wanted him there was to calm Prowl down. He walked over to his enraged bondmate. "Come on, Prowler. Calm down."
"Do not tell me to calm down, Jazz!" Prowl snapped.
Jazz sighed before placing a hand on his mate's arm. "Prowler, you being this upset and stressed ain't good for the sparkling. Ratchet's already said that. Just calm down."
Prowl growled.
Bluestreak had made his way toward his mates, worried about them.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker hadn't dared to come out from behind Ratchet. Both felt safer behind Ratchet since they were fairly certain that neither of the black and white Praxian mechs would attempt to harm Ratchet. Especially with Optimus there.
"Bluestreak, don't even think about it!" Barricade growled, reaching for his brother.
Ratchet stepped forward between Barricade and Bluestreak. "Enough!"
"Stat out of this! This is family business!" Barricade growled.
"Barricade!" Megatron's tone was warning. He certainly did not want an all-out fight to break out when tensions were starting to ease between the integrating factions.
Ratchet remained calm. "I am assuming that the moment Bluestreak told you that he had bonded with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker that you did not listen to him afterwards, did you?"
"What was there to listen to?" Barricade demanded.
"Perhaps his reasons behind bonding with them. Bluestreak is the youngest of all of you, and I'm quite certain that he feared your reaction upon learning that he was involved with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker." Ratchet stated.
"You're slagging right!
Prowl snapped.
"And that's why Smokescreen knew and you didn't." Ratchet finished.
"What?" That one shocked Prowl and barricade.
"Sure I knew."
All optics turned to Smokescreen, who had entered the room.
"They were together a vorn before Blue finally told me, but I knew." Smokescreen stated.
"So why didn't you tell me?" Prowl demanded.
"Because of how you're acting now." Smokescreen answered as he walked over to Bluestreak, who was with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker.
Prowl and Barricade were stunned.
"It's always been common knowledge that you two are protective of us. Even more so with Blue because he's the youngest of us. And given how you feel about the twins, Prowl, Blue knew you'd overreact like this. And Barricade, with your temper, there was no way he was telling you." Smokescreen shrugged. "Hate to tell ya this, but Blue doesn't need you protecting him every time he turns around. And Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are good for him. Believe it or not, but they are." Smokescreen told them.
Prowl and Barricade were a bit stunned by that.
:Why are we here again?: Megatron asked.
:Because I thought that Prowl and Barricade might do something foolish. And I needed to know why they were making those threats.: Optimus replied. He was honestly glad that their presence was not truly required. He would prefer to be there and not be needed than be needed and not be there.
"Now, I would suggest you all go and discuss this as a family." Ratchet cast a glare at Prowl. "And you keep calm. Let barricade do all the growling and yelling. You do not need stress of that magnitude. Resolve this quickly." He then focused on both Prowl and Barricade. "And for Primus' sake, listen to what Bluestreak has to say!"
Prowl and Barricade both knew when to not mess with Ratchet, and this was one of those times.
Jazz, Prowl, and Smokescreen headed for the door.
Bluestreak motioned for Sideswipe and Sunstreaker to follow. The twins looked downright terrified to do so, but slowly did so. Both hoped that they would live to see daylight again.
Optimus watched as the Praxians left before he turned to look at Ratchet with an expression that clearly asked for an explanation.
"What? They're having a family issue." Ratchet said.
First Aid and Hook slowly made their way out of Ratchet's office with Solar Flare and Hot Rod.
"And you didn't inform us about this situation why?" Megatron asked, a little annoyed with the CMO.
"Simple. The only thing you would have needed to know was that Bluestreak has bonded with Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. Everything else he told me in confidence." Ratchet answered.
Optimus sighed. He knew Ratchet, and he had a feeling that he knew what was about to be said. "Meaning that you wouldn't have told us of the possibility of Prowl and Barricade going off the deep end when they found out that Sideswipe and Sunstreaker were bonded with Bluestreak."
"No. I would not have. Bluestreak was trusting me to use my discretion as a medic when he told me everything. I don't reveal things my patients ask me not to. It's a matter of trust on their part. Bluestreak was truly afraid of telling Prowl and Barricade." Ratchet shook his helm. "I can understand why given their reaction."
Megatron groaned. "A little warning next time! You don't have to tell us particulars. Just tell us when something like this might happen!" With that, the grey mech turned on his heel and left the room.
Optimus sighed.
"Uh, sir?"
Ratchet turned toward First Aid and Hook to find that Hot Rod and Solar Flare were reaching for him. The CMO took his creations from the two. "Why don't you two take a few joor off?"
After that confrontation, the two knew that they needed it. They instantly went off in search of their gestalts for a time of sanity.
Ratchet turned back to face his Prime. "Optimus, even when we bond, I'm not telling you things my patients don't want me to. Being a medic means keeping my patients' secrets. I can't tell you and Ironhide just because you are my mates." Ratchet told him.
"I know that, Ratchet, and I do understand. Just a warning that something like this might happen. You don't even have to tell me who will be involved." Optimus assured him.
"That I can do." Ratchet agreed.
Solar Flare had already started reaching for Optimus, so the Prime took his daughter from Ratchet. She instantly started clicking at the Prime.
Ratchet sighed. "You and Ironhide are going to have them both completely spoiled."
"Perhaps, but sparklings need to have the attention of their creators." Optimus replied.
"I know that, but it doesn't mean giving in all the time. I can already tell that you two are going to be willing to give her everything that she wants." Ratchet stated.
Optimus grinned. "And the bad thing?"
Ratchet cast a glare at him.
"Okay. Sorry I asked." Optimus muttered.
Ratchet shook his helm. "I pray to Primus that Starscream and Megatron do not end up with a femme because I have no doubt that Megatron is going to be all too happy to give her whatever she wants."
Optimus chuckled. "Well, you know that there's that saying that carriers are the disciplinarians and the sires are the ones who always say yes."
Ratchet glared a bit more. "Tell that to my creators."
Optimus chose not to ask. "I suppose I had better get back to work." He was a bit concerned. "By the way, Ratchet, do you think Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are going to be all right?"
"I think so. Jazz, Smokescreen and Bluestreak will be able to keep Prowl and Barricade from killing them." Ratchet replied. He sighed. "I know those two drive Prowl crazy. They drive me crazy, too. But Prowl needs to realize that Bluestreak is an adult and that he can make his own decisions now. Bluestreak does love them. I could tell that from when we talked. And I'm certain Sideswipe and Sunstreaker love Bluestreak. They act foolish and like younglings, but they do have a strong respect for bonds. They know that it's serious and neither would enter into a bond without loving the other."
Optimus nodded, trusting Ratchet's judgment. "I hope you're right."
"I'll admit that Prowl and Barricade may not ever been happy with who Bluestreak has chosen, but I do believe that they will accept it with a bit of time." Ratchet answered.
Optimus nodded. "Well, as the immediate danger has passed, I believe that I will return to work." He glanced over at Ratchet. "Will you be able to watch them and do your duties?"
"I'll be fine." Ratchet assured him.
"If you believe you will." Optimus handed Solar Flare back to him before the Prime turned and left the infirmary to return to his own duties.
"You two have a bit of excitement for the day." Ratchet looked down at Hot Rod and Solar Flare.
The two looked up at their carrier with a smile on their faces.
Ratchet smiled at them. "Come on. I believe that you two could use a nap." He walked back into his office and set them down. He then walked back over to his desk and went back to his reports. After a short time, he glanced up and smiled when he saw his creations curled up together deep in recharge. Ratchet then decided he need to comm Bluestreak. He sent out a message to Bluestreak. :Bluestreak, comm me if you need help with Prowl and Barricade.:
:Yes, I will Ratchet, and thank you for all your help.: Bluestreak replied.
:Not a problem. I'm here to listen.: Ratchet then cut the link before he turned his focus back to his report. The medic was reasonably sure that things would be all right now. He knew Prowl and Barricade were upset about this, but he also knew that they would accept things in the end.
Ratchet glanced at his creations and wondered just how he, Optimus, and Ironhide would react when they found somebot. He hoped that they were understanding.
And that Ironhide kept his cannons in check.
And he kept his wrenches hidden.
Let me know what you thought!