All's Fair
Chapter 37
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
"You want to what?" Optimus asked. "No. Absolutely not."
Ratchet scowled, hands on hips. "Do you want to work things out with her or not? That's what counseling is for--to sit down and talk things out reasonably. She's still here, and she will be until I decide she's fit for duty."
"Ratchet, if she wants to go, let her. There is nothing to keep her here any longer. My mind is made up," Optimus said.
"Like it was made up about Megatron?" Ratchet said, cocking an optic ridge.
"That was different," Optimus said.
"How?"
Optimus sighed. "Ratchet, go. Please. I do not wish to discuss this any further," he said.
"Look, not that it's any of my business, but you're not going to be able to move on until you two either work this out or end it completely. You've been in a holding pattern since she dumped you. And now you have several choices--work things through with Elita, break it off and give yourself some time and space, or break it off with her and see where things go with Sideswipe and Hot Rod. Like I said, what you decide isn't my business, but your health and morale are. Whatever you decide, know that your friends are here to help you through it."
"Ratchet, thank you for your concern," Prime said. "But you can go now."
Ratchet nodded, walked out of his leader's quarters, shaking his head in frustration. Why did everyone have to be so damn stubborn? He walked down the corridor, stopped when he saw Hot Rod headed toward Prime's quarters.
"Going to pay the stubborn one a visit?" the medic asked.
"Yeah, 'Sides is out on patrol, so it's my turn to go sit with Optimus," Hot Rod said.
"You're still taking shifts?" Ratchet said.
"Well, we can't get him to leave his quarters, so yes," Hot Rod said, crossing his arms.
"I'm not prying," Ratchet said. "Just glad to you two are taking this so seriously. Although you could do us all a favor if you'd just cut to the chase and get him flat on his back already. . ."
"Ratchet. . ."
"Sorry. Somebody's gotta do it. . ." Ratchet said.
"Is that all you think about?" Hot Rod asked, scowling, in a fair imitation of Ratchet's own famous expression.
"Sparkling, I want Optimus fixed and happy and his confident, noble self again. That's all I want. He's been like this long enough," Ratchet said. "I don't care who he ends up with, although someone is going to get hurt before this is all over, I'm sorry to say."
"Ratch, you're right," Hot Rod said.
"Go. I've kept you long enough," Ratchet said.
Hot Rod gave him a wan smile, started down the corridor again. Ratchet watched him go. He only hoped it wasn't Optimus who was hurt again when it was all said and done.
-----
Prowl was spooned up against Jazz, finding it hard to fall into recharge. He knew his own inability to rest was not transmitting to his mate because Jazz could rest anytime, anywhere. Except he knew Jazz was awake now as well as he turned over to face Prowl.
"What is it this time?" Jazz asked. "Still trying to figure out how to solve this whole Elita-Prime thing?"
"Yes," Prowl said.
"Prowler, we can't interfere. They'll have to work it out on their own. I don't like seein' Optimus hurtin' like he is anymore than you, but all we can do is keep doin' what we're doin'," Jazz said sleepily.
"But Prime's health and well-being affects all of us," Prowl said. "He is our leader and morale is slipping badly."
"Well, then Prime'll just have to fix that, won't he? I hear he owes us a bonding celebration, complete with high grade," Jazz said.
Prowl couldn't suppress a smile.
"And who told you this?" he said.
"Blue. He said Prime asked 'Sides about high grade, who asked Blue if he could help get it from Kup," Jazz said.
"And why are you telling *me* this because you know I'll have to do something about it?" Prowl asked.
"'Cause I knew you'd smile about Prime throwing us a party," Jazz said. "And so you won't lift a finger to throw anyone in the brig because they all need a reason to throw a party. Might as well be us."
Prowl shook his head, snuggled closer to Jazz.
"Kup always does have the best high grade," he said.
-----
Elita-1 knew it was late, but she'd waited long enough. She'd finally worked up the courage to do what she needed. Her talk with Ultra Magnus earlier that day helped strengthen her resolve--she needed to be honest with Optimus and herself about their future. All those months ago she'd told Optimus that it was over, but not all the reasons why. She needed to clear the air between them, and maybe, just maybe, even if they couldn't be together the way they'd both once wanted, the chance existed they could trust each other again. At least that was what she hoped as she entered the access code to Optimus' quarters.
Fortunately, he was still up. But he had company. Optimus was sitting on his berth, the new Autobot named Hot Rod was sitting at Optimus' desk, feet up, resting on top of the desk. A disrespectful way to act around one's leader, Elita-1 reflected, but Optimus didn't seem to mind. They stopped talking when they saw her, and Hot Rod stood, gave Optimus a grin as he told him he'd see him later, and spared her a respectful nod as he left.
Optimus stood.
"Have you met Hot Rod?" he asked.
"I've seen him around the past few days, but we haven't been introduced," Elita said. "He does seem quite sure of himself."
"His reputation does precede him," Optimus said, mirth in his optics. "He's one of Magnus' foundlings and Kup's protege. Kup seems to think he has potential."
"The last Autobot Kup said had potential ended up becoming Prime," Elita said. "And he's standing before me, so maybe this Hot Rod has great things in his future as well."
"If he can stay out of the brig," Optimus muttered. Then he became serious. "Elita, why are you here?"
"I wanted you to know. . .there are some things you need to know," Elita said.
Optimus started to speak, but she put her hands on his shoulders.
"Optimus, please, let me say what needs to be said, before I lose my courage. . ." she said.
Optimus ran his hands down her arms, until they were on her shoulders, he pulled her close, until their foreheads were touching. "'Lita, you know I will always listen, no matter what you have to say, no matter what has come between us," he said.
Why did he have to be so understanding? So kind? It only made things harder.
"Optimus, all those months ago. . .when I said it was over between us, I know I hurt you, and for that, I'm sorry, more sorry than you'll ever know, but Optimus, what I told you then still holds true now. I can't do this anymore. . .I lost you once, all those years ago, when the Ark disappeared, and now that I've had you back, even though you've been here, on this planet, I can't go through that again. I won't lose you again, not that way. At least if I end things between us, that is my choice, and no one can take that away from me," Elita said.
Prime pulled her closer, to his chest, her head sliding under his chin. She could feel the thrum of the Matrix and his spark against her own. If only she'd bonded with him all those years ago, that spark would be resonating with her own but no. . .
"We each have our duty," she said. "I will not choose between you and duty, anymore than you could make the same choice. We walk different paths now, and you won't leave Earth, nor would I leave Cybertron. I'm sorry I've been avoiding you these past few days. . .I was angry and embarrassed over the situation with Megatron, what he did to us. . ."
"Elita, you had every right to be angry with him, with me. . ."
"That's just it, Optimus, I can never stay angry with you," she said. "And I will never stop caring for you. We have both changed. . .but that never will. I just can't be with you anymore. Please, Optimus, understand. . .this is the best choice for me. . .for both of us."
She pushed away from him, met his optics with her own.
Optimus looked down at her. "I'm sorry," he said. "I should never have. . ."
"Shh," Elita said, putting a finger to his battle mask. She put her arms around him, held him close for a few more seconds before letting him go. It really was the best thing to do, best for both of them.