All's Fair

Chapter 51

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

Skywarp walked into Prime's office. The door was open, but then again, Prime had adopted what the humans called an "open door policy." Whether it was literal or figurative, the Seeker pushed it from his mind.

Prime didn't look up when Skywarp walked in

"What do you want Skywarp?"

"Just checking on you," Skywarp said.

"I'm fine," Optimus said.

"I could help that energy field, you know," Skywarp said. "All you have to do is ask."

"You've helped enough already," Optimus said. "And if you're going to ask about our. . .agreement, it can wait.

"I understand that," Skywarp said. "I told you before, it doesn't have to be your first interface, just an interface."

"I know," Optimus said, looking up. Except Skywarp noticed the Autobot leader wasn't looking at him. Prime was leaned a little sideways, peering around him. Toward the door, his expression unreadable.

Curious, the Seeker turned around to see who, or what Prime was looking at. It was Elita-1.

Skywarp looked back at Prime. "Looks like you might want to reconsider that open door policy," he said.

Prime mustered up enough dignity to nod at Decepticon as he turned to leave; Skywarp walked past Elita-1, who regarded him with blazing optics before turning her attention Prime.

"You're going to interface with *him*?" she asked.

"If I am, it is my business," Optimus said.

"Then you are?" Elita said.

"Elita, it is a command decision, a choice that I have made," Optimus said.

"I'd rather take you back than have you go through with. . .that," Elita said.

"And would that be such a distasteful decision for you to make?" Optimus said, standing.

"No," Elita said. "But he's a Decepticon."

"The Decepticon who saved you," Optimus said. "Someone who has proven himself trustworthy, who was willing to lay down his life to protect another--you, Elita, or have you forgotten?"

"No," she said. "But if it will keep you from being with a Decepticon, I'll interface with you. I think now I might have been hasty in my decision to end things between us. . ."

"What?" Optimus asked, suddenly a little unsteady on his feet. He put a hand back on his desk to support himself.

"I. . ."

"Elita, I heard you," Optimus said. "Please go."

-----

The first Autobot to figure out something was wrong with Optimus Prime was Kup, when the Autotbot leader came to his office asking for high grade, which he told the ancient bot to put in his quarters, or else.

The second and third Autobots, respectively, were Prowl and Jazz when, with the assistance of Teletraan-1, located their leader locked in his quarters, refusing to talk to anyone.

"So what do you think has caused this reaction?" Prowl asked his mate as they made for their leader's quarters.

"What, haven't narrowed down the possibilities?" Jazz said.

"Given Prime's recent emotional state and stress level, it could be one of many issues," Prowl said.

"I'll bet you I know what it is, and it's just one thing," Jazz said, stopping, meeting Prowl's optics, hoping he'd figure it out on his own.

"My guess is Elita-1," Prowl said, watching Jazz enter the access code to Prime's quarters, but the door wouldn't open.

Jazz sighed. Looked like they were going to have to do things the hard way. He punched in the command override, but it didn't work either.

"He's locked himself in," Prowl said. "Perfect."

-----

Sideswipe wondered what was up for Prime to comm him, pulling him away from duty, sounding rather distressed. He hadn't talked to his leader since the night before, and he was a little worried now. Hot Rod had also been commed, although he was running patrol with Springer and couldn't get away, so it fell to Sideswipe to see what was going on.

He announced himself at Prime's door, waited for it to slide open. Sideswipe was greeted by the sight of empty energon containers on the floor and Prime heaving himself away from his desk at his entrance.

Sideswipe raised an optic ridge. Prime and energon in the middle of the day? Prime made his uneasy way to Sideswipe, put his hands on his shoulders. Sideswipe's own arms were now crossed.

"Sideswipe. . .Elita said she would take me back rather than see me interface with a Decepticon. and I. . .I don't want to be with her anymore. . .but you. . .would you. . .would you. . .consider. . .interfacing with me?"

Sideswipe watched as Prime dropped to the floor, the potent energon from Kup's stash kicking in.

-----

"I don't suppose you'd mind explaining how you happened to be there?" Ratchet asked Sideswipe.

Sideswipe shrugged. "Lucky, I guess," he said, looking down at his prone leader who was out cold on one of Ratchet's surgical berths.

"And you did not supply the high grade?" Ratchet said.

"Nope," Sideswipe said. "Kup's stash."

"Did Prime say anything that would indicate why he's in his present condition?" Ratchet said.

"Nothing at all," Sideswipe lied.

Ratchet sighed. "Go, before I turn you over to Ultra Magnus," he said.

Sideswipe turned, looked back, taking one last look back at Prime.

--

Lookout Mountain was becoming their preferred meeting spot. High, remote, with little chance of Sunstreaker following. Sideswipe waited impatiently for Hot Rod to show, was relieved when he finally did.

"How is he?" Hot Rod asked, transforming.

"Still out cold in the med bay, sleeping it off," Sideswipe said. "It wasn't pretty. He's upset. Really upset. Not that I can blame him. . .he asked me to consider interfacing with him, then collapsed at my feet."

Hot Rod frowned.

"Got any ideas what caused this?" he asked.

"Well, from the way Ultra Magnus dragged Elita-1 out of the rec room, I'm guessing it was her," Sideswipe said. "Think he'd tell you if you asked?"

"Maybe," Hot Rod said. "I can try."

-----

At the same time, Ultra Magnus was pacing. Uncharacteristic for him, but the situation warranted it.

"Let me get this straight--you propositioned Optimus and told him you'd take him back rather than see him interface with a Decepticon?" Magnus said.

"Yes," Elita-1 answered.

"All because you overheard a conversation?"

"Again, yes," Elita said.

Ultra Magnus had gotten the details out of Skywarp just why Prime would want to interface with him. A hard choice, but a command decision, as Optimus had said, and considering what it would cost Megatron, it was the right thing to do.

"Elita, as a commander in your own right, you should understand that is Prime's decision to make on his own," Ultra Magnus said.

"What about what his troops will think, being with a Decepticon?"

"They might not agree with it, but they'll have to respect the decision, if and when it actually happens," Magnus said. "As will you."

Elita sighed.

"I know," she said. "It's just that. . .I didn't think it would be this hard, letting go."

"You yourself said it was over a long time ago," Magnus said.

"I think I owe Optimus an apology," Elita said.

Magnus squeezed her shoulder.

"But that's not all," Elita said. "Ratchet said my energy field is worse. . ."

"And he's described the best remedy?"

"Yes," Elita said. "And what would fix it temporarily, but I think I'd rather fix it for real rather than draw it out. Since Optimus isn't an option anymore. . ."

"What about Ratchet? I know you've been spending a lot of time together," Ultra Magnus said.

Elita smiled faintly. "We have, but I don't know what he would say if I asked," she said. "Besides Ratchet, there is only one other I would consider, but I don't think it's a possibility."

"Who is it?" Ultra Magnus asked.

"You," Elita said, meeting his optics.