After Cybertron was liberated and Ratchet, Jazz and Windblade were left in charge, the others came back. Optimus stayed on Cybertron as both a protector and in order to finally relax. Paige was happy that he finally got to do something other than fight. Steeljaw escaped back to Earth and Bumblebee and his main team decided to remain on Earth for a while as well considering there was still work to do. There was even talk of erecting a secret base in the scrapyard. Paige enjoyed their company for a while, but it soon became apparent as she approached Bumblebee's height that she could no longer stay.
Since the ground bridge in the scrapyard was not up to par, she asked Drift if she could use the space bridge on his ship. He agreed after she explained that she would be taking Fix-it with her to use it and gave him a vague reason about having to transport something. She didn't bother saying farewell to the Autobots or the humans. She didn't want to feel even worse than she already did and she didn't want them to try and stop her. She convinced Fix-it that it was simply a place she needed to go based on one of her memories and luckily he was more focused on the new game Russel had given him so he didn't ask any questions. Fix-it activated the space bridge on the ship after she gave him the coordinates. She hefted the supply bag on her shoulder and headed on through. The place she was going to would be the place where she would meet her eventual end and there wasn't time for tears. At this point all she felt was numb and at least she got to choose her way out. It was her or the Earth and she had chosen the Earth even if it wasn't her own. She didn't hesitate or look back and she went through resolutely. She'd expected instant cold since the planet she was headed to was colder than Earth. It also had a harder to breath atmosphere and rocky terrain that stretched out forever, but she was greeted by none of that. Instead it was slightly chilly where she was, but she could still breathe perfectly fine. She looked around at the metal that surrounded her in bewilderment. Where was she?
"You're on Cybertron," said a familiar voice.
She looked over to see Ratchet enter through the open door.
"I figured you'd try something before I got the chance to help," he said gruffly. "I arranged it with Fix-it to send you here. With your old scans and the new ones, we were able to figure out what's affecting you. We're still working on a solution. Please give me just a little more time."
Paige sank to her knees and sat back on her legs as tears started to pour down her face in relief. She put a hand over her face as a sob broke out.
"Even if you think that you don't belong in this universe, there are still those that care for you," said Ratchet putting a hand comfortingly on her shoulder. "Paige, you are worth saving."
"Thank you Ratchet," said Paige giving him a watery smile.
Ratchet extended his hand and Paige took it rising to her feet. "We might be able to do something about your arm as well. Follow me," said Ratchet. Still holding her hand, Ratchet led her out of the room.
Did Ratchet ever find a way to stop Paige from growing and shrinking?
Of course he did, but that is another story.
