Here's the new story!

Pairings:

Optimus Prime/Ratchet/Ironhide

Jazz/Prowl

Bumblebee/Sam/Mikaela

Wheeljack/Skyfire

Perceptor/Beachcomber

Mirage/Hound

Red Alert/Inferno

Summary: After a near fatal surprise attack by the Decepticons, Ratchet, Ironhide, and Optimus are left trapped in a cave-in. With Ratchet severely injured, there is only one way to keep him alive. Spark merging. What will result because of this?

Notes:

1) Jazz is alive. Don't ask how. Pretend Ratchet found a way to save him.

2) This takes place after the second movie, and the third doesn't exist with this story.

Warnings: slash, sticky, mechpreg

Units of time as I use them:

Astrosecond= .273 seconds

Klik= 1 minute

Joor= 3 hours

Cycle= 1 day

Breem= 1 week

Groon= 1 month

Stellar cycle= year

Meta cycle= 5 years

Deca cycle= 10 years

Orn= century

Vorn= 5 centuries

Disclaimer: I don't know Transformers!

:italics:- comm link

:bold:- bonded mechs

Chapter 1

Optimus Prime released a loud groan. Every cable and gear in his entire frame hurt. He wasn't sure that anything had ever hurt as much as this had. He onlined his optics and glanced around. He noticed that his frame was covered with snow that fell as he sat up, wincing at the pain that shot down his spinal column.

That's right. He, Ironhide, and Ratchet had been out on a recon mission when they were surprise attacked by Starscream and his trine. The three hadn't had much of a chance to react when they dove into a nearby cave for cover before the entire cave collapsed on top of them.

Optimus looked around to figure out where his CMO and Weapon's Specialist were at. He couldn't see them, but he could sense Ironhide, his bondmate. :'Hide, are you okay?: Optimus asked through their bond.

:Those pit-spawned, slagging, glitched, spawns of Unicron! Just wait until I get my hands on them! They'll never fly again when I'm done with them!: Ironhide shouted over their bond.

Optimus decided that Ironhide was fine as the Weapon's Specialist continued to throw insults and curses through their bond, right down to cursing the creators of the three trine members. Now, the Prime focused on finding his CMO. :Ratchet? Are you all right?: Optimus used the comm link to try to communicate with his CMO, but received no response. :Ratchet?: When he still received no response, Optimus chose to vocalize it. "Ratchet? Where are you? Are you all right?"

Ironhide, who had still been cursing, heard the Prime talking. He glanced around, trying to see where Ratchet was. That neon green paintjob of Ratchet's should have made him obvious, even though the only light that they had was from their optics.

The cave in area was small, barely giving Optimus enough room to stand up right, so it shouldn't be that hard to find the CMO. The Prime started to walk a bit before he came across a hand. He knelt down and took the hand before pulling.

A groan escaped the CMO.

"Ironhide! Over here!"

Ironhide came over, hearing the slight bit of panic to the Prime's voice. The Weapon's Specialist froze at seeing that Ratchet was badly damaged, more specially that his chest plates had been nearly completely crushed. "Is he-"

"He's online. By some miracle." Optimus replied.

"Not-for long." Ratchet's voice was weak and barely audible.

"Ah, don't take like that, Hatchet. You're going to be just fine. First Aid'll have you back on your pedes and throwing wrenches in no time." Ironhide told him even as he knelt down by the medic. The black mech became worried when he didn't hear Ratchet fussing about the nickname, considering that Ratchet always told Ironhide not to call him that.

Optimus became worried at the condition of his CMO. He could sense how weak Ratchet's spark was, and it was enough to make the Prime very concerned. He didn't want anything to happen to the mech in his arms. He caught Ironhide's optics.

:Orion, how bad is it?: Ironhide asked.

:I'm no medic, 'Hide. But even I know that he's in bad shape. He won't stay online for long. He needs medical attention.: Optimus responded as he turned his optics back to the mech in his arms.

Ratchet knew how bad off he was. He knew that his spark was going to give out soon. Long before the other Autobots could get there to save him. Of course, there was one way to keep his spark strong enough to hold out until First Aid could help him. Not that it was a possibility at the moment.

Optimus chose to contact First Aid.

:Sir! Are all of you all right?: First Aid's voice was slightly panicky and rightly so.

:Ironhide and I seem to better than we could be. Ratchet's in bad shape, and I don't know how long he can hold out.: Optimus told him.

:Scan him and send them to me.: First Aid told him.

Optimus did as he was told.

Ironhide watched the medic worriedly. He had known Ratchet for a long time, and the thought of losing the medic was not one that Weapon's Specialist wanted to entertain. Though Optimus and Ironhide had never told Ratchet, they were both in love with the medic and wanted him to be with them, but neither had told him that. Seeing Ratchet like this hurt the black mech deeply. He reached out and gently took one of Ratchet's hands in his own.

:Um, sir. There might be something that can be done to keep Ratchet's spark going long enough that he'll hold out until we can get to you.: First Aid told him.

Optimus immediately became alert at this. He glanced at Ironhide.

Getting the message, Ironhide opened his comm link to hear what First Aid had to say.

:How can we keep his spark strong, First Aid?: Optimus asked.

:Well, the only way for you to keep Ratchet's spark strong enough to last until I can get there is for one of you to spark merge with him.: First Aid said.

Optimus and Ironhide were floored. They could actually keep Ratchet going for the other Autobots to get here simply by spark merging with Ratchet.

:Is one of you able to?: First Aid asked.

:I think we can." Optimus replied.

:It's the only way.: First Aid told him.

:We know, First Aid. Just get here as fast as you can.: Ironhide told him.

The connection was then cut.

:What do you think?: Ironhide asked.

:If it'll keep him alive, then we don't have an option.: Optimus replied.

:I don't think that 'ole Hatchet is going to be too thrilled with this.: Ironhide told him.

:He'll deal with it.: Optimus replied. He glanced down at the medic. "Ratchet, can you hear me?"

Ratchet groaned. "Yes." He winced at how rough his vocalizers sounded. He knew that they had been damaged by the fall.

"I just spoke with First Aid. He told us how we can keep your spark going until they get here." Optimus told him.

Ratchet groaned. "Primus, he needs to keep his mouth shut!" He winced at how much it hurt his vocalizers to give off the little shout.

"You knew!" Ironhide snarled.

"Of course I knew." Ratchet winced. He couldn't keep using his vocalizer, so he switched to the private comm link he used only with the two. :I just didn't feel the need to tell you.:

"And why not?" Ironhide demanded. He hadn't realized that the medic was suicidal.

:Because you two are bonded.: Ratchet replied.

"For Primus sakes, Ratchet! That doesn't matter at this point! What matters is keeping you alive!" Optimus exclaimed.

:It doesn't matter. I know that neither of you could handle a spark merge for as long as it's going to take the others to get to us.: Ratchet told them.

Ironhide looked thoughtful. "Alone, no, we couldn't. But if we took turns, we could manage it."

Ratchet looked like he was about to protest.

"Oh no! You might be perfectly all right with dying, but I'm not! I am not going to stand by and watch while you let yourself offline, Hatchet! We've been friends for far too long for that!" Ironhide snarled.

:But you two-: Ratchet started.

"Yes, we are bonded, Ratchet, but that doesn't mean we aren't willing to help you. We're not going to sit by and do nothing while we watch you die on us." Optimus told him. The Prime had no intentions of letting the CMO die on them when they still had a chance to keep him alive.

Ratchet really didn't want this. He didn't want to force two that were bonded to spark merge with him just to keep him alive. It wasn't right.

"You're not forcing us to do this, Hatchet. We want to keep you around. The entire Autobot army would be in the pit if we didn't have you there hitting yelling, and lecturing us. Along with a little repairing in the mix." Ironhide said with a grin.

Ratchet really didn't want a bonded pair to have to spark merge with him just to keep him alive. Especially not two of his oldest friends. However, he saw the determined expressions on their face plates, and he knew that there was no way he was going to dissuade them. He could also feel his spark weakening with every passing second. He knew that they were his only chance to survive.

"I know that you really don't want this, Ratchet, but let us help you. We would like to keep you around. I honestly don't know that I even want to think about life without you. I've known you for too long." Optimus told him.

Ratchet sighed. Sometimes, he hated how stubborn the two mechs around him could be.

"Besides, it not like we're asking you to bond with us." Ironhide added.

:Yeah. I'm sure that's all you two want. The grumpy medic.: Ratchet said.

That wouldn't be a bad thing, though Ironhide chose to keep that thought to himself. No need in angering the medic when it looked like he might be giving up and letting them help him.

Optimus's sensors picked up on the fact that Ratchet's spark was fading fast, so he knew that they had to act now. :Ironhide, I don't know how much longer he's going to be able to hold out. If we're going to help him, then we're going to have to do it now. If we wait much longer, it might not make a bit of difference if we do it or not.:

:I understand. Never thought we'd have to do this.: Ironhide said.

:I know.: Optimus then turned his attention to the medic. "All right, Ratchet. We're going to help you."

Ratchet sighed before he nodded. He chose not to argue with the two anymore. He had come to realize that it was a pointless argument with the two when it came to the medic's life. Besides, he'd never win in an argument against both of them, especially when Ratchet didn't have a good counterargument that didn't look like he was suicidal, which he wasn't.

:Who goes first?: Ironhide asked.

:At this moment, it doesn't matter. The one that isn't merged with him is going to have to keep a constant watch on Ratchet's spark. We don't need anything going wrong.: Optimus replied.

Ironhide nodded almost imperceptibly. :All right. You go first. I'll keep a watch on Ratchet.:

Optimus nodded before he turned his attention back to Ratchet. He was like Ironhide in the fact that he had wanted Ratchet to be with them as well, but he hated that it had to be like this. But he'd do what he had to in order to save Ratchet. "Ratchet, you need to open your chest plates." He knew that it would be easier if Ratchet could do that on his own. If he had to pry them open, that would cause a lot more pain for the medic, and the Prime didn't want to cause Ratchet any pain.

Ratchet nodded and sent the mental command, which allowed his chest plates to open. His spark was a dull light blue, a testament to just how weak Ratchet's spark had become.

This concerned the Prime, but he hoped that between him and Ironhide, they would be able to keep the medic's spark strong enough to survive until First Aid and the others could get to them.

Optimus opened his chest plates and allowed his own brilliantly glowing spark to be revealed. He then leaned down so that his chest was close to Ratchet's to allow his spark to merge with Ratchet's.

As was usual with a spark merge, Optimus felt the pleasure that came along with merging his spark with that of one of his own kind. But he also was able to feel Ratchet's emotions, and with that, he could feel the amount of pain that the medic was in. He could sense just how much damage had actually been done to the medic's frame, and he knew that Ratchet was in a great deal more pain than he had allowed the Prime to know before this.

Ironhide could sense Optimus's worry and concern over their bond. Concerned, he spoke. :Orion, what is it?:

:Ratchet's injured a lot worse than he allowed us to realize. He's in a lot of pain. It makes me wish that there was something mire we can do.: Optimus told him.

:Well, it's working. His spark seems to be gaining some strength from yours. If we keep this up until the others get to us, he should make it.: Ironhide replied.

:Let's hope so.: Optimus answered.

Ratchet could feel his Prime's concern. That was expected. A spark merge that was not the result of a bond always allowed the two Cybertronians to feel the other's emotions. He expected the concern, the fear, and the slight bit of pain that the Prime felt. What Ratchet hadn't expected to feel was love. For him.

That one confused Ratchet. He didn't understand why the Prime would harbor such feelings for him. For one, the Prime was bonded to Ironhide and had been for almost a millennia. The second thing was that he had no clue why the Prime would feel such for a mech like him.

Ratchet wasn't the most lovable of mechs. He knew that, had been told that enough. He had a temper, and he had a tendency to yell. He didn't express emotions like caring and love very well. He wasn't sure he had ever told his own spark twin, Wheeljack, just how much he meant to him.

Why the Prime, who had a bondmate as good as Ironhide, would have such feelings for him was beyond Ratchet. He had always assumed that the Prime's feelings went no deeper than friendship.

And what about Ironhide? Did he know? How did he feel about what the Prime felt? What did he think about both of them having to spark merge to save him?

Ratchet's processors started to hurt, so he tried to stop thinking about it. He could feel his spark strengthening the slightest bit, meaning that it was working. At the very least, Ratchet would hold on long enough for First Aid to get to him. From there, the medic wasn't sure what would end up happening.

Ironhide kept a close optic on Ratchet's spark and was relieved to see that his strength was getting a bit stronger with each second. It made the Weapon's Specialist hopeful that the medic would survive to keep throwing wrenches at them.

Optimus was careful not push too much of his spark's energy into Ratchet. He knew that causing an overload would end up putting too much strain on Ratchet's spark, and that was the last thing he wanted to do.

After some time, Ironhide noticed that Optimus's spark started to feel a strain. :Orion, let me take over for a while. We don't need two mechs with spark failure.:

Optimus nodded before he pulled back and ended the merge.

Ratchet felt the loss and nearly whimpered. He would never admit it, but he had liked feeling like someone actually cared about him. He was an old mech who had been alone for a long, long time. He hadn't felt cared about by anyone other than his spark twin for quite some time. He also knew that the spark merge helped ease some of the pain that he was in.

Ironhide then took Optimus's place by Ratchet. He allowed his own chest plates to open before he leaned down and allowed his spark to merge with Ratchet's.

Once more, Ratchet expected the emotions of concern and worry. Of fear and determination. He had expected those things out of the Weapon's Specialist. What he had not expected was to feel the love that the Weapon's Specialist held for him. If Ratchet was feeling these emotions right, then the Weapon's Specialist loved him as much as he loved Optimus.

And that made no sense. Why these two mechs would feel this way about Ratchet was beyond the medic. He had figured that he would never find anyone who would feel that way about him.

Ratchet was struggling to figure this out, so he decided to stop thinking. He was certain that it was just induced by the pain. He was certain that he was feeling these things wrong.

Although Ratchet was more than certain that he was feeling these emotions right.

Optimus kept his sensors on Ratchet's spark and saw that his spark was a bit stronger, though no where near strong enough to last long on it's own. All the Prime could do was hope that the others would be able to get to them before long. He was certain that Ratchet needed immediate attention. He was also praying to Primus that he would allow Ratchet to survive.

Wheeljack was uneasy. He was with the team trying to get Ratchet, Optimus, and Ironhide out. Since he had such knowledge about geology, he had to direct everyone to where to dig so that they could their fellow Autobots out without killing them.

But it was hard for the scientist to do this knowing that his spark twin was in danger of offlining. He had been told by First Aid what had to be done. The scientist knew that Optimus and Ironhide would do what needed to be done, but that didn't change how concerned he was about Ratchet. He was unable to imagine a life without his spark twin in it, and it truly scared him to know that that was a possibility. He found himself praying to Primus that he would spare his brother's life.

Wheeljack could feel Skyfire's concern and comfort over this bond.

:It'll be all right, 'Jack. Ratchet's a fighter. He won't die that easy. Besides, we both know that Optimus and Ironhide won't let him die. They'll do what they have to for Ratchet.: Skyfire told him. The large Seeker chose not to look back at the scientist as he helped with the digging. He didn't want to be distracted by trying to look back at his bondmate.

:I wish that I was as certain as you are, Sky. I'm just not. I've never faced the possibility of losing Ratchet, and it's not one that I want to have to face.: Wheeljack told him.

:I understand. Just have faith. Ratchet will come out of this fine. He'll be back up and yelling in no time. Who knows? This might just make his accuracy with his wrenches that much better.: Skyfire told him.

Wheeljack laughed through the bond. :Not sure his aim can get anymore accurate. If it does, not even Jazz would stand a chance of getting away in time, and he's the fastest of everyone on Earth.: Wheeljack replied.

:I know.: Skyfire replied.

Wheeljack focused back on what he was doing. He knew that they had to work as quickly as they could while being as careful as possible at the same time. A hand on his shoulder drew Wheeljack's attention.

Prowl glanced at Wheeljack before he spoke. "He'll be fine, Wheeljack. Ratchet's not going to go down like this. With the way Ratchet is, he'll die his way on his terms. Not because of a Decepticon attack. He'll come out of this just fine."

"I know, Prowl. I'm just worried. I don't like the fact that his spark could give out on him." Wheeljack replied as he studied the area.

"Optimus and Ironhide won't let that happen. They'll do all that they can to keep Ratchet's spark as strong as they possibly can." Prowl assured him.

Wheeljack nodded. He just hoped that their SIC was right. The last thing he wanted was to face losing his spark twin.

Optimus was back to having his spark merged with Ratchet. He could easily see how exhausted the medic was, and he hoped that Ratchet would be able to last long enough for First Aid to treat him.

:He's getting exhausted, Orion. What should we do?: Ironhide asked.

Optimus was about to respond when he heard the sounds of digging being close to them. Could they have finally been reached?

:Prowl to Optimus.:

:Prowl, tell me that you're close.: Optimus responded.

:We are. We'll be through in a few moments.: Prowl replied.

:Good.: Optimus then ended the connection before he pulled back and allowed his chest plates to close.

Ironhide looked at him oddly.

"They'll be here in a few moments." Optimus explained.

Ironhide sighed in relief. "Good. Maybe they can get old Hatchet back on his feet in no time."

:I heard that.: Ratchet muttered.

"You were meant to, Hatch." Ironhide replied.

Ratchet sighed. He was glad to know that they would be rescued soon. He didn't feel like he was using his friends. He would deal with what he learned about their feelings for him. When his processors were working at full strength, not clouded in pain.

Not even a minute later, the Autobots had managed to break into the cavern.

First Aid was the first one down with Perceptor right behind him.

Perceptor may have been a scientist, but he made for an excellent medic as well.

Optimus and Ironhide moved back out of the way to allow First Aid and Perceptor the space that they needed to treat Ratchet.

"Skyfire." First Aid called.

Skyfire peered down into the cavern. "Yes?"

"We're going to need you to get us back to the base. The sooner we can get to work on Ratchet, the better off he'll be." First Aid told him.

"Of course. I'll be ready." Skyfire replied.

Optimus and Ironhide were relieved that they had managed to keep Ratchet alive this long. It hadn't been easy, but they were glad that they had managed it.

Perceptor glanced back at Optimus and Ironhide. "You two should come back on Skyfire as well. You'll need to be treated once we've treated Ratchet."

As tired as the two were, they were all too wiling to go on Skyfire.

Optimus was patient as First Aid repaired the minor injuries that the Prime had incurred. His biggest problem was that he was exhausted, which some recharge would take care of.

Ironhide had already been repaired by Perceptor and was waiting on his bondmate before they headed back to their quarters. The Weapon's Specialist glanced over at where Ratchet was in a medically induced recharge. "He is going to be okay, right, First Aid?"

"Of course. He barely was injured." First Aid replied.

"I meant Ratchet." Ironhide clarified.

"Ratchet will be fine with time and rest. Thanks to you two, anyway. He's lucky he didn't offline. He's going to get mad at me, though." First Aid stated.

Optimus frowned. "Why?"

"Because I'm kicking him out of his infirmary for the next month." First Aid answered.

Ironhide laughed. "I'm sure that Hatchet's going to be happy about that one. Good luck when you tell him."

First Aid sighed. "I know. It'll be fun trying to get him to follow my orders. The human saying that doctors make the worst patients is personified no better than by Ratchet. He is the worst patient anyone could get."

Optimus chuckled. "Ratchet has always been like that, First Aid. It's why I made him CMO. He's too good not to be one, and he keeps the infirmary running smoothly. It's the only area I rarely keep up with because I know that Ratchet keeps everything in working order."

"Hmm. I'll do what I can to keep him out. I'd rather he recover completely and not have a relapse. He sustained serious injuries that need time to heal, and berth rest is the only way that is going to happen." First Aid stated.

"Well, you can always have Skyfire sit on him. Ratchet would never be able to go anywhere with Skyfire's weight." Ironhide suggested.

"Perhaps something less cruel." First Aid suggested as he finished with Optimus.

"If you have any trouble, First Aid, I'll make it an official order." Optimus assured him.

"Yes, sir." First Aid looked between the two and said, "And you're both on berth rest for the next three cycles."

Optimus made to protest.

"Ratchet's not the only one who needs rest to heal. You two don't need as much as Ratchet, but you do need some." First Aid said.

Ironhide smirked.

"And please no interfacing. You do need rest." First Aid added.

Ironhide scowled.

Optimus shook his helm. "We'll follow orders, First Aid. Prowl and Jazz can handle everything for a few days." Truthfully, Optimus wouldn't mind a few days of not having to worry about anything going on with the Autobots. It would give him the time he needed to settle his processors. He had been rattled when he had realized just how bad off Ratchet was, and he needed time to settle himself.

"Yeah. I guess we will." Ironhide agreed.

The two then left the infirmary.

Wheeljack had come by the infirmary. "Aid, how is he?"

"He'll be fine, Wheeljack. I'm keeping him in recharge for a while, though. He needs time to rest, and this will help strengthen his spark. With time, he'll be good as he was before." First Aid assured him.

Wheeljack nodded while looking at his brother's still and repaired form.

First Aid placed a hand on Wheeljack's shoulder. "He's fine. Although he'll be shouting cursing in every language he knows when I tell him he's on berth rest for the next month."

Wheeljack laughed outright. "Yeah. Good luck with that."

First Aid sighed. He then started for Ratchet's office, which would be his office for a shirt time. "I'll leave you alone." He then disappeared into the office.

Wheeljack walked over and placed a hand on Ratchet's hand. "You gave me quite a scare there, Ratch. I thought I had lost you this time." The scientist sighed as he looked at his brother. "Living without you isn't something that I really want to face any time soon." He squeezed Ratchet's hand for a moment. His shoulders slumped, feeling drained from the stress of the day.

Gentle hands were placed on Wheeljack's shoulders. "He's fine, 'Jack. Ratchet will make a full recovery, and he'll be back to his duty of trying to kill his patients with his deadly aim with a wrench." Skyfire told him.

Wheeljack laughed lightly. "Yeah. That sounds like him."

Skyfire smiled before pressing his lips gently into Wheeljack's neck. "Come on. You need recharge. First Aid will keep an eye on Ratchet and let you know when he wakes up."

Wheeljack nodded before leaving with Skyfire.

Optimus lay on his berth with Ironhide, unable to slip into recharge.

"What's wrong?" Ironhide muttered. He was tired, but he could feel the restlessness of his bondmate and wondered what was keeping the Prime from recharge.

Optimus sighed. "I just keep thinking about what happened out there." The Prime was silent a moment before he spoke again. "It shook me up." he admitted. He shuttered at the thought. "We could have lost him."

Ironhide moved so that he could press a kiss to Optimus's lips. "We didn't lose him. 'Ole Hatchet is going to be fine. He'll be back in charge of the infirmary before you know it. We'll be having to practice our running and dodging skills again."

Optimus smiled slightly. "I suppose so."

"I'm pretty shaken up, too, Orion. I know how close we came to losing him. It was too close for comfort. But we didn't lose him. That's what we need to focus on." Ironhide said.

Optimus sighed. "I know. I suppose I'll feel better when Ratchet's awake and talking again."

"I SAID THAT I'M FINE, AID!"

Optimus and Ironhide stopped walking when they heard the angered shout from their currently injured CMO.

"Sounds like Hatchet's primary weapon is back in working order." Ironhide stated.

"I agree."

The two headed on into the infirmary to find Ratchet glaring at the younger medic.

"Ratchet, you need rest." First Aid told him.

"And I can do that elsewhere." Ratchet retorted.

Ironhide snickered. "Giving your medic a hard time again, Hatchet."

CLANK!

"OW!" Ironhide rubbed his helm where the wrench had hit him.

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!" Ratchet snarled.

"You're fine." Ironhide muttered.

Optimus glanced at Ratchet. "Ratchet, it's only been two days since that incident. You need time to rest, and you do need to stay here a few days."

"When did you become a medic?" Ratchet growled.

"I don't know much about being one, but I could see how bad the injuries were." Optimus replied.

Ratchet sighed before he looked at First Aid.

"Okay. Stay in here today, and if everything is the same, you can go to your quarters tomorrow." First Aid knew that he had better compromise before the CMO decided to offline him.

Ratchet growled. He didn't like it, but he could live with it.

Seeing as the CMO had agreed, in how own way, First Aid decided to get out of the infirmary.

Ironhide walked over before he slapped Ratchet on the back. "Glad to see that you're back to your usual self, Hatchet."

Ratchet threw a glare at the Weapon's Specialist. "The fact that you saved my life is the only thing stopping me from taking a laser welder to you."

Ironhide grinned. "I knew you loved me!"

Ratchet scoffed. "I leave that to Optimus."

Optimus then walked over to where his CMO was. "How are you feeling, Ratchet?"

Ratchet knew better than to lie to Optimus. "I'm tired, but at least I'm alive. It'll take a bit of time, but I'll be fine." Ratchet then glanced at the two. "And I want to thank you both for saving me. I know that that couldn't have been easy for you."

"Ah, don't worry about it, Hatchet. We were glad to help. We don't want to have to try to figure out who the new CMO would be." Ironhide told him.

"Yes. Ironhide and I wouldn't have wanted to lose you, Ratchet." Optimus agreed.

"Well, I do appreciate it." Ratchet told them.

"Just do what First Aid tells you and try not to give him too much trouble. We know how much you hate being the patient, but this once, do as the medic tells you." Ironhide stated.

Ratchet sighed. "I'll try. Right now, all I want to do is go back to my quarts and fall into stasis for about two breem."

"You'll be able to do that soon." Optimus told him.

"At least you'll be through half of your berth rest by then." Ironhide told him.

"Yeah. I know." Ratchet replied.

"In any case, we have to get to our duties. Come on, 'Hide. You can tease Ratchet when you're off duty." Optimus told him.

"Sure thing." Ironhide followed his bondmate out of the door. "He glanced back and said, "See ya, Hatchet." He then dashed off.

Optimus shook his helm before walking off as well.

Ratchet sighed. Sometimes, he wished that he had the spark to kill Ironhide.

Lying back on the berth, Ratchet released a sigh as he thought about everything. He had nearly offlined completely by the Decepticon attack, which unnerved him.

But what unnerved him even more than that was the fact that through the spark merges with Optimus and Ironhide, he had learned that the two mechs were in love with him, for whatever reason.

Ratchet had a feeling that the two didn't realize that he figured it out through the spark merges, so he figured that there was not much for him to worry about. He would never have to tell them that he knew.

But a small part of Ratchet wondered if he should tell them that he knew. The three were old friends, so it's not like it would change much. After all, Ratchet was pretty sure that they would never want a real relationship with him considering his personality and all.

Ratchet decided that there was no reason to mention any of it to them. What was the point? Not like it would change anything and just because he knew didn't mean much.

It's not like they actually told him that they were in love with him.

Ratchet settled back and allowed himself to drift back into recharge.

He wouldn't say anything to them and their friendship would remain the same.

That's how Ratchet wanted things to be.

At least that's what he told himself he wanted.

Let me know what you thought!