Author's note. I'm glad people like this so far, thanks a lot for all the reviews and alerts.
Suggestions are welcome.
I don't own Transformers Animated or the Song Stand By Me, they belong to their owners.
Enjoy and please review.
Optimus leaned back with a sigh as the Shuttle made the jump, Megatron's last words echoing in his processor. He knew that Megatron would likely carry out that threat if he was ever recaptured by the Decepticon Warlord, he truly would be separated from his little son.
But what Megatron didn't seem to realise, that would have happened, even if he'd stayed.
Oh sure, while Valour was a Sparkling, Optimus would be very much involved in bringing him up but that would change as he grew. Because Megatron would start to teach him about Decepticon ways and then start to train him. Optimus would see less and less of his son until eventually Valour was taken away for good, to be made into a Decepticon solider.
Optimus growled, Megatron would lie and pretend all he wants about them being a family but that's what would happen. But no doubt the Decepticon leader would think Optimus would be content as long as he kept bearing Sparklings. Yes, he'd bare them, raise them while they were Sparklings and then watch as they were taken away.
Yeah, that was totally the life he envisioned for himself.
Warning, energy levels dropping, loss of vital fluids, status lock imminent, warning
Optimus grimaced as his systems read his damage reports, he was in a bad way. The only treatment he'd received had been while Megatron was still in the room, which were some painkillers and a quick repair of tore fuel lines to stop him bleeding to death.
He didn't blame the medic, he hadn't given the poor Mech a chance to take care of him properly. As soon as Megatron had left the room, he'd come out of his supposed recharge and knocked up the medic with a hard punch. After grabbing and sub spacing a few pieces of equipment, he'd hurriedly wrapped up Valour in a blanket and taken him away.
It had pained him to take his newborn son out of that incubator, he really should have remained in it. But he'd know he'd never get a chance like this, Megatron's guard was lowered and he had to take it. They'd all thought he was out of it and he used his belief to its fullest extent.
But by Primus, it hadn't been easy running or hobbling from the Med Bay, he'd just given birth for Primus's sake. But he'd had no time to worry about the Energon and fuel dripping behind him, he had to get out of there. And luckily for him, he'd overheard Megatron boosting about a new Shuttle he'd bought, one with a lot of special features.
The two that had caught his attention was despite its size, it could Warp and it had a cloaking device. Two things that would make his escape a reality and so far, that's exactly what it was.
He smiled grimly, Megatron had been planning on using this against the Autobots, as a spy's Shuttle. But in the end, the Shuttle with all its gadgets had been used against Megatron before he could even take it for a test drive.
"Revenge is sweet they say," he chuckled darkly before suddenly coughing as spasms of pain hit him.
"Damn it," he gasped, dragging himself over to a berth, the auto pilot could take care of things for now.
Even though, he did have a plan as to where he'd go, for now, he just wanted to shake off any pursuit Megatron might mount against him. He just needed to fix himself up a bit, make sure Valour was alright and then head for safety.
"Here there," he said softly to the chirping bundle currently resting in a medical capsule.
It wasn't as good as an incubator but it was definitely better than nothing. He was confident or at least hopeful, that Ratchet would have enough medical knowledge to take care of his little Valour.
He gave a sardonic smile, like just about everything these last few deca-cycles, he hadn't been allowed to choose Valour's name. Megatron had just gone ahead and named him, as soon as he was free from his Carrier. But thankfully, Optimus actually quite liked the name, he just wished Megatron had at least asked him if he liked it.
He might not have had a choice but it would have been nice to pretend he did. It just would have felt so much better, rather than feeling utterly helpless about what was happening. Megatron could never understand just how he'd felt when his body was used again and again, being forced to give and never receiving anything in return.
He shuddered before forcing that thought down, he didn't want to dwell on it.
So, he started trying to clean himself up, after making sure Valour was okay for the moment. He knew that later, once he was safe, the shock of being a single parent would sink in but for now, he was calm. He was going to escape from Megatron completely and then he and Valour and perhaps his friends would go into hiding.
And there they would stay until Valour was old enough to take care of himself. And better yet, be able to defend himself against his brutal Sire. He hoped his friends would come although he wasn't going to demand them come. But somehow, he felt they would, none of them were going anywhere, stuck with the dead end task of clearing space bridges.
Well, as long as Ratchet could help him take care of Valour, which would be something.
"Urgh," he grunted as he started trying to wipe away the Energon dripping down his legs.
He grimaced, he just didn't have enough medical knowledge to help himself. And of course, it was damn difficult trying to attend to himself with only minimal supplies around him. He was so tempted to take a sedative and just go to sleep, allow his self repair systems to take care of the damage.
But no, he couldn't sleep, not until he knew he and Valour were safe.
He checked his body, trying to determine if there were any serious problems. He couldn't see anything but knew that at the very least, if he didn't get proper medical attention soon, he would just get weaker and weaker until he fell into status lock.
As Valour made a gurgling noise, he sighed and said softly.
"Not even a cycle old and already your Amma's in trouble. Whatever are you going to do with me?"
The little red and blue Sparkling just giggled, waving a little fist in the air as Optimus chuckled.
"That's what I thought."
With another sigh, he pinched a few torn wires and used a small tool to seal them shut. He winched, it was painful but needed to be done. Ratchet could sort it out, Ratchet could sort out anything medical. Knowing he was about to start rambling, he quickly turned his attention to something else.
Stiffly, he looked down at his Sparkling who was still wide awake and interested in everything around him. He smiled, he was glad Valour wasn't crying though he would rather he had a nice sleep, then he wouldn't have to worry so much. He wondered how well he'd cope when Valour did get upset, would he manage to calm him down.
Or would he be utterly hopeless and have to rely on his team to help him out.
Optimus groaned, he didn't want to think about that, he didn't want to start believing he'd be a bad parent. No matter what, he did not want to end up in a situation where he'd have been better off staying with Megatron. He snorted, trying to imagine Megatron dealing with a crying Sparkling, he'd probably just hand him to Optimus and leave the room.
Yeah, Megatron would be there for all the good bits and never for the bad bits. He Optimus, would have to deal with everything, teaching his son right from wrong, comforting when he was upset and scolding when he was naughty or reckless.
He ruefully thought of Bumblebee, sometimes he felt like a parent to that hell raiser but suspected Bumblebee would be a walk in the park after raising Valour. Ah well, maybe he could take up ratchet throwing, Ratchet said it did wonders to relive stress.
He suddenly jumped, the Shuttle had come out of a Warp and had promptly gone into another one. Who knew where they were going to end up, he was just letting the computer chose random spots, so as to make it much harder for Megatron to track him.
Only when he felt satisfied Megatron wouldn't be able to follow them, would be go seek out his friends.
He looked down at the floor, the last time he'd seen them, he'd been telling them to run for it while he held off an attacking Decepticon force. They hadn't wanted to, they'd been trying to fight but as more arrived, Optimus had pulled rank and made them leave. He'd carried on fighting until he was brought down.
That was when he was taken to Megatron.
He clenched his fists, that dark Mech had sneered down at the bound captive before declaring that he was going to deal with him...personally. This involved a long but not long enough trip to Megatron's quarters. And there, the two bots discovered that Megatron liked him a lot on the berth.
"Frag it," he hissed before glancing at Valour as though the Sparkling might understand.
Thankfully, the Sparkling's attention wasn't on him, he was still looking very wide awake. Optimus smiled before leaning over and kissing his little son, saying very softly.
"I'm just going to check on things, I'll be back in a moment."
So saying this, he got up and made his wincing way to the cockpit. So far, they'd made good progress and everything was functioning as it was supposed to. It was just as well Megatron had already bought this or there might have been a nasty surprise waiting for Optimus when he first took off.
But the Decepticon leader would have made sure he wasn't being cheated when he bought this very expensive Shuttle and for that, Optimus was very thankful. He's memorised his team's planned route of space bridges and his plan was to go to the one they should be fixing this lunar cycle.
He was sure they would be, after being captured by the high command of the Decepticons, his friends wouldn't have had a hope of rescuing him. And even if they called for help, they themselves wouldn't be involved in the search and rescue. So, they'd be forced to carry on, while their leader was missing and possibly deactivated.
"Just a few more jumps," he murmured softly before doing a final sweep and then returned to his little son.
He saw that Valour looked sleepy but seemed determined to remain awake. Optimus blew air out of his intakes, he really didn't think he could handle an unhappy Sparkling. So he did the only think he could think of, which was to sit by Valour and sing him a soft lullaby.
When the night has come
And the land is dark
And the moon is the only light we'll see
No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
"I'll always stand by your side, son," Optimus thought as he continued.
And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh now now stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me
If the sky that we look upon
Should tumble and fall
And the mountains should crumble to the sea
I won't cry, I won't cry, no I won't shed a tear
Just as long as you stand, stand by me
"I'll do anything for you, little one, anything. Just please don't leave me."
And darlin', darlin', stand by me, oh stand by me
Stand by me, stand by me, stand by me-e, yeah
Whenever you're in trouble won't you stand by me, oh now, now stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
Darlin', darlin', stand by me-e, stand by me
Oh stand by me, stand by me, stand by me
He finished softly, stroking Valour's cheek as he slowly slipped into recharge. It was lucky that song was both soothing and slow, otherwise, Valour might not have been tempted into recharge. He sighed, he really needed some recharge himself.
Lying back on the berth, he activated an internal alarm to wake him just before the final Warp ended so he could reprogram the computer to take them to a new destination. His body aching all over and his Spark heavy with dread and worry for the future, he slipped off into recharge.
Author's note. Optimus finally manages to find his friends but what are their reactions? Find out next time, until then.
