Author's note: Because I am feeling generous... and it is that weird, quasi, ''Lost track of time', I don't know what day it is anymore,' part of the year between Christmas and New Year, one more chapter tonight! :-)

I hope everyone is coping okay with the curve balls I have thrown. Everyone still in board? Almost hit triple digits for the chapters... how exciting :-)

Chapter 96 – Memories and Moments

Rachet P.O.V

''NO I DID NOT!'' Prime's words, filled with such sorrow, anger, regret and self-recrimination, made me flinch as I listened to my friend and leader purge himself of millions of years of guilt and pain.

He would be hating this lack of control over his raw emotions in front of his team like this. Anyone who knew Optimus knew how private he was, or at least used to be. Forcing him to confront such a painful experience in front of his soldiers was an action borne of someone who either did not know Prime very well or were themselves desperate and out of control. I sighed as I looked at both Elita and Prime. /Perhaps it was a little of both/.

Elita had walked up to Prime to try and comfort him as he aplogised to her for not returning for her. When I watched her run her servo down his arm and take his servos into her own, a flash of anger tore through me. I shifted on my pedes trying to dispel this sudden outburst of annoyance. As she embraced him, and he made to return the embrace I had had enough. Phoenix may have left to allow them the chance to reconnect because she loved him, but I didn't have to approve or like it. As much as I liked Elita, I couldn't help but feel betrayed on Phoenix's behalf. Anyone with half a processor could tell that Phoenix and Prime belonged together. Elita and Prime had never demonstrated the same connection and depth of feelings in the millions of years they were together. At least not around me.

''Ahem,'' I pretended to ''clear my throat'' in that Earthen manner I had found interesting as I approached them both. Despite my efforts, I could not help a disapproving look, as well as a deep sadness, settle on my features. ''Well as – touching as that was to see you both apologise for past hurts, that does not address the issue of who will be leading us in your stead?''

Prime gave me a quick smile, ''Duly noted Rachet.''

I came to stand before him and continued to stare at him. /Do NOT choose me!/, I tried to send to him. Optimus turned to face Ironhide. ''Ironhide, I am tasking you with leading my Autobots in my – our- absence.'' The minor correction was not lost on me.

Ironhide gave him a nod, ''Consider it done Prime. I'll keep these punks in line.'' I couldn't help a small smile flash across my dermas. /Good ol' 'Hide/.

''Easy Ironhide, perhaps the term ''soldiers'' would be a better choice of words?'' Prime suggested and smiled before he turned to me again. ''And Rachet, I am asking that you act as my second in Command. Will you do that for me?'' He refrained from placing a servo on my shoulder and instead raised an optical ridge at me.

I ex-vented slowly, ''I can hardly say no can I now?'' Prime gave me a small smile, ''Just don't be gone too long, the pair of you. I can't promise I won't use any of my wrenches in your absence.'' It was true. I was going to be hard pressed to refrain from violent persuasion with some of these youngsters, especially Crosshairs.

As Prime and Elita transformed and headed off in the direction Bumblebee had just returned from, an uneasy feeling took hold of me. The number and intensity of attacks on Transformers were increasing. At first it had been Decepticons only that were targeted. Now, with Leadfoot missing and no contact with Jazz, Dino, Sideswipe and the other Wreckers for over a week, I was beginning to think we were no longer safe. That perhaps our ''immunity'' had been compromised by a harmful organisation that viewed us as a threat in league with the Decepticons. I had no proof of this at present. Just an old timer's hunch and a gnawing feeling in the pit of my tanks.

I ex-vented out loud and deeply trying to soothe my own concerns. Prime and Elita were seasoned soldiers and experts at hand-to-hand melee fighting. They would be more than capable of seeing off any threats. /I just hope that the threat of being alone together for the first time in millions of years didn't bring them undone first!/. As far as I was aware Prime had still not divulged to Elita about Phoenix. I had a feeling that would all change shortly – for better or worse it was time she found out and a choice made.

The gruff words of Ironhide interrupted my thoughts as he began giving orders. ''Arcee, Hound, you take first patrol for the next six joors. Drift, Crosshairs you both source more energon to stock up on supplies. Bumblebee, Rachet and I will remain here. Bee, rest up after your mission.'' There were a few beeps and whirs from the yellow scout that indicated he wasn't in need of rest though he relented anyway after Ironhide cast him a stern glance. ''I will relieve Arcee and Hound's patrol duties until sunrise. We will remain here for the next few days unless we receive word from Prime. Understood?'' I smiled to myself. Ironhide had stepped up to assume the mantel of leadership immediately – as I knew he would do.

''Fine by me Ironhide, I could do with the distraction,'' Arcee nodded and transformed into her motorbike mode. Not waiting for Hound, she took off at speed in the opposite direction Prime and Elita had headed.

''Well, that was rude,'' Hound's gruff voice followed her retreating form as he chewed on his cigar. ''Guess I'll head in the opposite direction.'' With that the portly, seasoned commando transformed into his alt mode, an Oshkosh tactical vehicle, and drove off in a cloud of dust.

Ever since Sideswipe had been separated from the group and we had been unable to contact him and the others, Arcee had become on edge and withdrawn. /If I didn't know any better, I would say that there is, or was, something going on between that pair/. With Optimus preoccupied with Elita 1's arrival and the loss of Phoenix, Arcee's well-being may have been overlooked by the Prime. I would make a point of talking to her when she returned from her patrol to see how she was going. As the chief medic of this team, it was my duty to ensure everyone's health and well-being, and that included their emotional and processing health.

''Rachet?'' Ironhide's voice interrupted my thoughts. ''Anything you want to add?''

I shook my helm to both refocus and reply to Ironhide's query. ''No Ironhide, I think you've got it under control.'' The afternoon shadows were lengthening as the day began to draw to a close. ''If anyone needs me, I'll be in my usual spot''. With that I walked off to claim my position atop a large boulder that faced the West.

Since our arrival in this area a week ago, I had taken to spending time up here to unwind and get some time alone. I still felt agitated after witnessing Prime and Elita's ''discussion'' earlier. Some time alone was just what this doctor needed.

After carefully scaling to the top of the boulder, I sat down and cast my optics towards the west. The sky was a riot of colour. Pinks, blues, purples, oranges all bleeding into a majestic canvass. While I missed my own home of Cybertron desperately, I had grown used to this organic planet. Spectacles such as this could not help but soften the spark. I watched as the fiery sun slowly succumbed to sleep, taking with it the last rays of warmth and in its place trillions of stars slowly appeared in the inky sky. Invisible sentries during the day, they were now proudly on display, watching us from afar.

As I sat there gazing at them, I recalled OC, or rather Phoenix, and how she loved to watch them, often walking down to lay or sit on ''her beach'' back in Diego Garcia. A small, fond smile played at my dermas and I felt my shoulders shake as I gave a soft chuckle. She even convinced me to join her in star gazing one evening after what was one of the most challenging and difficult few days in my life as a medic. I had helped her survive her transition from a human to a Transformer and somehow managed to stop her destroying herself after learning of Optimus' death and hopeful revival.

My optics dimmed as the memory washed over me.

/''Rachet?'' OC issued a soft and tentative query. ''Thank you,'' and she leaned against me, desperate for some kind of touch.

At first, I sat rigidly still as if some horrifying thing had just curled up in my lap, but after a moment I relaxed and seemed to almost lean back into the contact. ''OC, you are most welcome.''

''You saved my life countless times; you threw me a lifeline when I was drowning.'' OC sat up slightly and raised an optical ridge at me, ''you know, you really aren't half as bad tempered and crotchety as the Autobots make you out to be.'' A small smile spread across her dermas.

I frowned and snorted, ''I am indeed! I will happily throw a spanner at you OC to prove a point.'' For a moment, her smile stilled before she noticed the corners of my dermas twitch up as I tried to contain my own smile. She burst out laughing, and I soon joined her. It felt somewhat strange but good to laugh, Primus knows we both needed it/.

I heard myself chuckle out loud at the memory. In that moment, after going through such dramatic change and upheaval, such emotional turmoil and distress, OC had still managed to find humour, had reached out to me in concern, worried I had not had enough recharge. I felt my spark twinge slightly in its casing. The memories continued.

/Why don't you join me for some good ol' star gazing? Prime and I love doing this.'' OC's voice trailed off slightly at the very raw and tender topic.

To her great surprise, I reclined back on the grassy field beside her and followed suit folding my arms underneath my helm. I ex-vented deeply after a moment. ''Actually OC, this is quite pleasant. I can see why you both enjoy coming out here.'' I gave a small laugh. ''I might actually have to steal this spot for myself or at the very least join you.''

She dug one of her elbows into my shoulder playfully, ''Hey old timer, I called dibs! You are welcome to join us but hands off,'' she gave a soft laugh and replaced her arm under her helm.

I sputtered fake indignation, ''Old timer! That's gratitude for you after I just saved your life several times. No respect these young whipper snappers.'' I could not keep the mirth out of my tone.

''Gees Rachet, how long are we going to be peddling that story, ''I saved your life?'' OC laughed out loud again.

''A while! Given I am already over 9 million years old, you do the math OC,'' I had fallen silent then. We both just laid there gazing into the inky darkness as a billion pinpricks of light illuminated nature's heavenly canvass/.

I must have finally allowed myself the opportunity to relax and I fell into a deep recharge, awaking many joors later to the sight of OC watching over me as I had done for her.

Again, my spark ached as I recalled my friend. OC, or Phoenix as she was now known, had a way of endearing herself to all those she met – well mostly everyone. I had been no exception and I had grown incredibly fond of her.

That day, that happy, sad, bizarre day when Elita came back into Prime's life and Phoenix took flight in an act of self-preservation, I felt her loss deeply. I could only imagine how Prime must have felt when that light left his life. I know the affect it had had on us all. Phoenix and Prime had formed a wonderful partnership that acted as the glue that held us all together. And now – it seemed we were coming unstuck.

Without warning, another flash of annoyance tore through me at the recollection of Elita in Prime's arms. While Prime had initially rebuffed and repelled Elita's affections and efforts to reconnect, albeit in a subtle way, he had of late seemed to change his mind and had been more open to her. I had told him of my theory as to why Phoenix disappeared, that first morning after she left. I told him that she did so because she loved him and wanted him to have a second chance with Elita, to try and reconnect. Prime had seemingly ignored that notion, or was unable to comprehend it, and he had done everything in his power to avoid re-connecting with her.

Until now it would seem.

/I guess his resolve isn't what it used to be/, the snarky thought raised its head. Two years. It had only been two years since she left. Two years is nothing in the life of a Transformer and yet, it would appear that Prime was doing what Phoenix had intended for him to do – move on!

A low growl rumbled through my dermas at the idea before another thought emerged from deep within my processor, /No! This is PRIME we are talking about Rachet; you know him better than that. He would never betray someone he cares about so deeply; he knows what he is doing/. I sighed out loud before I spoke to the darkness around me, ''I hope he does anyway.''

I sat there for a moment longer, gazing wistfully out across the horizon. Before I knew it my servo automatically moved to activate my comms unit. ''Hello? Phoenix?'' After a spark beat a familiar and dear voice crackled over the static.

''Hey Rachet! Long-time no hear! How are you?'' I felt my spark pulse happily in its casing and a large smile spread on my dermas as I listened to my friend reply. Thankfully we had managed to improve our communications, so it wasn't so patchy.

''Oh, you know me, cranky and irritable as usual Phoenix,'' I replied good humouredly.

''Well, I won't argue there mate,'' her laughter elicited an even bigger smile. How I missed her.

''I can't talk for long I just. I just..'' I suddenly could not seem to articulate my thoughts. After a moment or two a soft reply made its way through.

''Me too Rachet, me too. I miss you too,'' my spark clenched again at the sound of genuine pain and sadness in her voice.

I closed my optics and gathered my composure, ''Thanks Phoenix. I also have some news which I thought might be important for you to be aware of.''

There was a moment of silence and I could almost hear her take a deep breath, weighing up her desire to know and her desire to remain ignorant of any situation back here, especially any concerning a certain femme and Autobot Commander.

Another spark beat later the soft, yet firm words were spoken into my comms, ''Tell me what you know.''