All's Fair

Chapter 50

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

Optimus lay on his side, spooned against Hot Rod, arms wrapped around the other mech. Just being close to someone. . .it made him feel better than he had in a long time. And at the moment, it helped soothe the rancor from his latest argument with Elita-1. Half the Ark witnessed it and the only thing that kept the Autobot leader from saying something he knew he'd regret was Hot Rod, who'd dragged him away. A simple inquiry as to when Elita-1 was either going to head back to Cybertron or contact her unit turned into another fight. She'd yelled. At him. Elita-1 never raised her voice to him, never had, but as Optimus Prime knew, there was a first time for everything.

And he'd scared the hell out of the Autobots in the rec room because he didn't raise his voice during the argument. His troops had the good sense to hit the deck when he used that voice. Calm and low meant he was really, really, really pissed off. One would think after all that time Elita-1 would recognize that, but then again, he'd never had a reason to be that angry with her, but now he did.

He wanted some semblance of inner peace. Not like he'd had it in a very long time. His balance was off, had been since Elita-1 dumped him. He was trying to not let it bother him, but with her there, seeing her everyday, the reminder was constant. And if she stuck around long enough, he was likely to get irrational enough to just go interface with Skywarp and get it over with. First time done and the Seekers' ties to the Decepticons severed. But he couldn't bring himself to do that. Maybe.

Damn it.

At least Elita had taken the news well he was in a relationship with Hot Rod and Sideswipe, or it seemed like it. He still hadn't told them his decision. He was trying, but the right moment hadn't presented itself. Strange, how things were turning out. He did care for both Sideswipe and Hot Rod. In the past weeks he'd come to see Sideswipe differently. The red twin did care about him, and not just because he was Prime. And then there was Hot Rod, who challenged him, and was a challenge himself.

The two of them also brought out different sides of the Autobot leader--he'd shared his vulnerability and insecurities with Sideswipe; his aggression and passion with Hot Rod. They'd seen him at his best and worst, and didn't run when they did; he'd been there for them both, also. It wasn't easy, either.

He sighed, felt Hot Rod stir against him.

"What's the matter?" Hot Rod asked.

"Nothing," Optimus said.

Hot Rod turned over, boosted himself up on one arm so he was looking down at Optimus.

"Bull," Hot Rod said.

"I was just thinking, that's all," Optimus said.

"About?"

No answer.

Hot Rod leaned down, pressed his forehead to Optimus'.

"You can talk, or not. Your choice. But you might feel better if you get whatever it is out of your system," Hot Rod said.

"I sincerely wish Elita-1 would go back to Cybertron," Optimus said. "But I cannot order her to do so."

Hot Rod snorted.

"You're Prime. You could order her if you want to," he said.

"But. . ."

"It's because you are Prime, you won't," Hot Rod said. "I understand that. Out of respect for her, what you two once shared."

"You're too observant for your own good," Optimus said.

"Speaking of observant. . ." Hot Rod said. "Have you noticed how much time Elita is spending with Ratchet?"

"No, I have not," Optimus said, raising an optic ridge.

"Maybe she's trying to move on, too," Hot Rod said.

"I hope so," Optimus said.

-----

The door to Ratchet's office was closed. The medic glanced out the window at the Skyfire and Starscream, turned his attention back to the bot sitting at attention nearby. Elita-1 wasn't trying hard to mask her annoyance.

"What were you hoping to accomplish with your little outburst last night?" Ratchet said. "That's not like you, but then again, if my energy field was as dark as yours, I think I'd be a little irrational, too."

The femme met the medic's optics.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"Your energy field is worse. I just felt it spike. Not as bad as Prime's, but considering you're a femme, it's gotten just about as bad as it can get," Ratchet said. "I told you it would, I just didn't expect it this fast."

"I feel fine," Elita said.

"Your energy field and posture suggest otherwise," Ratchet said. "Are you feeling uneasy, have a constant headache?"

"I have a headache yes, but that's because. . ."

"Your energy field needs a purge," Ratchet said. "Not like Starscream's been purging, but you know what I mean."

"And there's only one way to fix my energy field?" Elita asked.

"An overload is the quickest way," Ratchet said. "Or you could ask one of the Seekers to help you out. They might. It's simple--they can sync there energy field to yours, siphon off some of the excess energy, but it's only a temporary solution."

"How long can one go on like this?" Elita said.

"As long as you can before you can't take it anymore," Ratchet said. "Happens to everybody once in a while. But it can be especially bad if one hasn't ever ah. . .I'm assuming you've never interfaced before?"

"No, I have not," Elita said. "So you're saying I have to interface to fix this?"

"Only if you want to, and you find someone you want to be with," Ratchet said. "I wouldn't be telling you all this if there wasn't another way."

Elita stood. "Thank you, Ratchet."

The medic nodded at the female Autobot, watched her go, settled in for his next round.