Precipitous

Chapter 43-Fluctuation

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

Optimus Prime pushed Kup away.

"You should go," Optimus said. "I've said too much."

Kup frowned. "Seems to me you haven't said enough," he said. "Optimus, lad, what's made you so reluctant to talk about everything that's happened?"

Optimus sighed. "If I ask you to leave, you won't, will you?"

"Keeping everything bottled up inside is only going to make it worse," Kup said. "You have friends, people who care about you, who you can talk to. . ."

"What has happened is my burden to bear," Optimus said.

Kup frowned. "The humans have a saying--'a burden shared is a burden halved,'" he said. "

"I don't need to dwell upon the past, or concern anyone else with my problems," Optimus said. "Kup, I thank you for your concern, but. . ."

"But what? Talking out things means you're showing weakness?" Kup asked.

"I am Prime," Optimus said. "I must be strong. . ."

"What you're being is stupid and stubborn," Kup said, standing. "You need to deal with everything you've been through--it doesn't matter how, lad, I know you will when you're ready, but you won't move on until you do."

"Kup. . ." Optimus said, a warning in his tone.

"You know I'm right," Kup said. "You need some sense knocked into that head of yours about Hot Rod and everything else, you're just too stubborn to see it, or maybe you do, and you don't want to have to face up to it. You're not alone, you never have been. You've always just been too afraid of letting anyone in. I can't say I blame you, not when you've been betrayed by your own brother, but you can't keep going like this. It's no way to live."

Optimus glowered at Kup. "Are you finished?" he asked.

"For now," Kup said. "Just think about what I've said, please?"

"I will," Optimus said.

Kup smiled at him, squeezed his shoulder, leaving his quarters. Optimus watched him go, more than a little unnerved by just how close Kup had cut to the heart of the matter. He was acutely aware of how he'd treated Rodimus--on one hand, he'd treated him the way he had because nothing he'd ever done had prepared him to deal with the advent of another Prime. On the other, it was because as the months had dragged on, he'd started to feel a little attraction toward the other Prime, small, yet it was there. However, his rationale was he and Rodimus were too different to have anything besides a professional, working relationship. A part of him still stood by that reasoning, but now, he wasn't so sure.

And the other. . .his death. . .He hadn't discussed that with anyone. How could he when no one around him could understand what he'd been through? Optimus couldn't even begin to understand it himself. Since the beginning of the war, he'd always expected to die in battle, had resigned himself to that fate. Dying at the hands of his own brother. . .He shuddered. Megatron followed through on a promise he'd made more than once, while he, Optimus Prime, couldn't even bring himself to do what he knew he must--destroy his own brother.

That, he knew, was a prospect he would have to face again sometime. And when it came, he would not back down next time.

-----

Hot Rod stretched, feeling and hearing his shoulder joints and back struts pop. 2037. Not good. He hadn't had a break or energon in more than nine hours, and if Ratchet found out, there would be hell to pay. He was mostly done with his report for Galloway, and he knew it by heart by now. He thought about passing it along to Prowl to check for any inaccuracies, but decided against it. The second in command had his own paperwork to deal with. Not much more to do now besides go grab some energon and hope everyone on base realized their best behavior was going to be needed the next few days.

Good behavior. . .Hot Rod groaned. He'd released Sideswipe from the brig himself, behind Prowl's back, with the warning to stay out of trouble or else. Prowl. Still distracted and acting like Jazz didn't exist. Clearly something personal was going on, and Hot Rod had no intentions of getting in the middle of it unless required. Hopefully they would work out their issues on their own, but something told the young Autobot that probably would not happen.

Then there were his own issues. Like Optimus Prime. He'd managed to avoid the other Autobot for longer than expected, but he had work to do and Optimus wasn't supposed to be doing anything resembling work.

Hot Rod set down his data pad, stood. He was ready for a break, needed one. Maybe he'd even go check on Optimus, just to see how he was doing. Try and have a peaceful, logical discussion with the other mech regarding their disparate views on how to deal with Galloway when he arrived.

He was almost out of the door when he was nearly knocked down by Ratchet, who came barreling in.

"I was just going to take a break," Hot Rod said.

"That's not why I'm here," Ratchet said. "Sit down. We need to talk."

Hot Rod frowned. "What is it?"

"Shut the door and sit down. Then I'll tell you," Ratchet said.

Hot Rod did as he was told, waited for Ratchet to take a seat. The medic glanced down at the data pad in his hands, hesitating, trying to find the right words.

"I know the past few months haven't been easy for you," Ratchet finally said.

Hot Rod raised an optic ridge. "So?"

"Let me try again," Ratchet said. "My duties as medic go beyond fixing the physical wounds of those under my care. Their emotional and psychological well-being also falls under my jurisdiction. Like it or not, that means you, too."

He let it sink in a few moments, earning himself a glare from Hot Rod.

"You haven't been happy. At times, you've been withdrawn and more often than not, stressed and angry. None of that is healthy. The position you're in is one I do not envy, but it is my job to make sure everyone is functioning properly. Lately, neither you nor Optimus has been operating within normal parameters. How much has he told you about what happened in Egypt?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Hot Rod asked.

"More than you know," Ratchet said. "Just listen, please. I do have a point. We've spent most of the last three years fighting. Optimus, more than all of us, has bore the brunt of most of it and. . ."

"He looks worse than Ironhide," Hot Rod said.

"Unfortunately," Ratchet said. "That's what I want to talk to you about. Optimus has suffered more than his fair share of damage over the past few months and I'd like to formally pull him from active duty for the time being."

"What?" Hot Rod asked. "He's already off duty. . ."

"You heard me," Ratchet said. "He needs time to heal. I can only do so much for him. It's either that or stick him in the Xantium's second CR chamber and I don't think you want that."

Hot Rod leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.

"Why are you asking me? You're chief medical officer. You outrank a Prime when it comes to all those decisions," he said.

"How can I put this so you can understand it?" Ratchet said. "I'm asking because I'm trying to be considerate of the fact you're new to this whole being in charge of an entire race thing. You need an explanation, and unlike everyone else, I'm trying to help. That and I need you to back me up on this. He put you in charge. That Prime behind your name isn't for nothing, you know."

Hot Rod stared at the medic. "Why make this decision now? Great timing, Ratchet, with Galloway coming tomorrow," he said.

"I've put off making this decision because I thought Optimus would come to appreciate having another Prime around to help ease some of the strain he's been under," Ratchet said. "Unfortunately, it's had the opposite effect. He's pushed himself harder, hasn't taken care of himself, and frankly, he's been more than a little reckless."

Hot Rod snorted. Optimus Prime? Reckless?

"Don't scoff," Ratchet said. "I'm serious."

"What makes you think I'll support this?" Hot Rod asked. "I took over command with the understanding that it would be temporary. Optimus Prime made that decision with that same assumption. How do you think the humans will take this if you follow through with this course of action?"

Ratchet met his optics. "I don't know that you'll support my decision," he said. "And the humans will have to simply deal with it."

"No, you'll leave me to deal with the humans if you do this," Hot Rod said. "You're truly and honestly prepared to relieve Optimus Prime from duty because he's unfit?"

"I never said he was unfit for duty," Ratchet said. "As I already explained, Optimus needs time to recover and deal with issues he has yet to face. I'm only asking for a little time, that's all."

"Your mind is made up then?" Hot Rod asked.

"Yes," Ratchet said. "I can wait until after his next round of repairs. It'll only be a few days, give you some time to consider. . ."

"No, if you're going to do it, just do it," Hot Rod said.