(A/N: this chapter is mostly flashback and I don't want to use italics, well, except when there's an interruption.)
Ratchet and First Aid walked into Team Prime's base.
"(Hi, First Aid,") Bumblebee greeted. ("How are you?")
"I-"
"First Aid, put your things in your room," Ratchet interrupted.
First Aid sighed. "I'll tell you guys later." he walked with his bag to his old room.
"Optimus, I want my son to return from Griffin Rock," Ratchet told the Prime in private.
"Ratchet, is this due to the fact that First Aid is homosexual?" Optimus asked.
"No, it's the fact that Heatwave seduced him when he was a minor!"
"He thought I seduced you?!" Heatwave said. "That's crazy!"
"Heatwave did not seduce him, Ratchet," Optimus said. "Jacqueline and K-9 has confirmed that both has feelings for one another."
"They were almost intimate! Or they are. Did you not see the hickey First Aid has?!"
"Ratchet, lower your voice."
"Do you know that Heatwave is bisexual? That is a violation of Rescue Bot ethics! He should be exiled for that!"
"It's not my fault I'm bi," Heatwave crossed his arms.
"Well, you did lie on the exam," Chase reminded.
"Because a bot's sexuality isn't a reason to deny a job or career."
"Ratchet, I looked over Heatwave's sexuality, and please lower your voice," Optimus said.
"If it were up to ME, I'D KILL, IF NOT-"
"Ratchet! That is enough!"
Arcee walked into the room the two mechs were in. "What's going on? We can hear you from the kid's rec area."
"Ratchet wishes to remove First Aid from Griffin Rock," Optimus said. "He got a bit carried away in his reasoning."
xxx
First Aid finished repairing Bulkhead's right front wheel. "Next time you get a flat, don't drive home. Walk or take the groundbridge."
"Okay. Say, First Aid, the kids are doing another science fair. Think you can give them some advice?" Bulkhead asked.
"Sure, I'll even make sure there won't be another 'Ratchet repeat'."
"Miko, he said 'yes'!"
Miko ran in. "I don't know what to do!"
"Well, what do you like?" First Aid asked.
"Music, duh!"
"Then, do a report or a video on music and how it affects people."
"Oh, it's that easy? This'll be awesome!"
First Aid walked with Bulkhead and Miko to the rec room.
"Hi, First Aid," Jack said. "How's Griffin Rock?"
"Crazy as usual," First Aid said. "Need help on your projects?"
"No!" both boys said.
"It won't be like last time. I promise."
"What happened last time?" Blades asked.
"My dad helped and the school got a dent in the floor, broken doors and lockers, and a hole in the roof and ceiling," First Aid said.
"Oh."
"It better not," Raf said.
"What do you guys like?" First Aid asked.
"Motorcycles," Jack said.
"Video games," Raf said.
"Jack, you can do the science of motorcycles. Raf, you can make a video game," First Aid said.
xxx
"Hm, surprisingly stable," Ratchet said as he looked at the synthetic energon through a microscope.
"Hey, Dad," First Aid said as he walked in with Raf in his hands. "Raf's mom says he can stay, but he has to be home by 6:30."
Ratchet just nodded as First Aid put Raf on the platform.
"Is that synthetic energon?" Raf asked.
"Yes, I'm about to test it on this engine," Ratchet said.
"Can I watch?"
"Well, I see that you're wearing protective eyewear."
"Just a second," First Aid handed Raf protective glasses and a mask. "Can't be too safe." He activated his battle mask and visor.
Ratchet rolled his eyes before he put the synthetic energon into the test engine.
The engine roared to life.
Raf took off the glasses and mask and began to call for Bumblebee.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! It's not ready for bots yet!" First Aid said.
Ratchet gave a heavy sigh. "Unfortunately, First Aid is correct. With our energon supply at an all-time low and with the Decepticons controlling every single known energon mine on this planet, this-" he held up the vial "- may be our only advantage and hope."
An alarm went off.
"I'll get the bridge ready," First Aid walked to the ground bridge. "You guys try not to get serious injuries," he told Optimus Prime and the others.
"Can't make any promises," Bulkhead said.
"Autobots, roll out!"
Ratchet gave another heavy sigh. "Sometimes, I wish I could do more."
xxx
First Aid's jaw dropped.
Ratchet was injecting himself with the synthetic energon. His eyes changed from blue to green before dropping the syringe and fainting.
xxx
Raf was working on his video game project when he heard First Aid yell 'Dad, no!'
He ran over to the two medics and saw First Aid trying to wake up his dad.
"What happened?" Raf asked.
"Ratchet injected himself with synthetic energon!" First Aid yelled. "I-I can't wake him up!"
"Don't you have smelling salts?"
"I'll check the storage! Try waking him up!"
Raf climbed onto Ratchet's chest and started calling his name.
Ratchet groaned as he sat up. "How is it that the smallest creatures are also the loudest?"
"Are you okay? You passed out," Raf didn't tell him what First Aid said.
"I'm-" Ratchet realized his left shoulder wasn't aching as usual "- better that fine." He checked his functions. "Energy opacity up 30%!"
They heard glass breaking.
"I'm blind!" First Aid yelled.
Ratchet groaned. "I'm coming!" He walked to the medical supply storage and saw a crying First Aid rolling on the ground, covering his eyes. Ratchet helped his son stand up, walked him to the hygiene room, and rinsed out his eyes.
"Th-thanks, D-Dad. Are you okay?"
"Better that 'okay'."
They walked back to the main hall.
"Ratchet, lock onto Arcee's coordinates. She is outnumbered," Optimus said.
"I'm locked on," Ratchet said. "Arcee, turn around and return to base."
"Can't do, Ratchet," Arcee said.
"Don't be a fool."
The monitor started beeping.
"She's hurt. First Aid, can you see?" Ratchet asked.
"No, everything's blurry," First Aid said.
Ratchet turned to Raf. "Man the ground bridge." he went to Arcee's aid.
xxx
Everyone, except for Optimus and First Aid, were ecstatic at Ratchet's rescue of Arcee.
"I heard he was a one-bot wrecking crew!" Bulkhead told Raf and First Aid.
"Saved my chassis," Arcee said.
("Took out a whole armada!") Bumblebee said.
"That's because he did something stupid!" First Aid shouted.
"Ratchet, what did you do?" Optimus asked.
"I just took something I call 'Synth-En'!" Ratchet tossed a vial to Bulkhead.
"If we took this stuff we could wipe out the Cons in one hit!" Arcee said.
"Or we could give Ratchet more and take a vacation!" Bulkhead handed the vial to Optimus.
"Ratchet, you shouldn't have injected yourself. You know it isn't ready for Cybertronians," Prime said.
("I wonder what would happen if we gave some to Jackie?") Bumblebee pondered.
xxx
(A/N: okay, this is right after chapter 14 or 15, if you're reading this on )
"Dad! Where are you?!" First Aid searched the base. "Jackie's acting like a cat! Did you injec- AAH!"
"What was that?" Arcee and Bumblebee walked into the hallway they saw First Aid walk into and saw an upside-down Bulkhead and rubble under him against a wall.
"Sorry, Bulkhead," Ratchet said as he walked through the hole he accidentally made. "I'm stronger than I used to be."
"Help me!" First Aid said under Bulkhead and the rubble.
Bumblebee and Ratchet helped Bulkhead up as Arcee helped First Aid out of the rubble.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"A little sore," First Aid took a step and gasped as he fell. "Agh! My ankle! I think it's sprained!"
"Walk it off," Ratchet said. "I'm faster than I used to be, too! Think you can take me, muscle car?" he asked Bumblebee.
("I'll pass,") Bumblebee helped First Aid up.
"You two are wimps. How's it hummin'?" he asked as he walked by Arcee.
"Did he just..." Arcee trailed off.
"Stronger, faster, studlier," Bulkhead said.
"Ew!" First Aid groaned.
xxx
"Optimus, are you sure you want to take Ratchet on this mission?" First aid asked.
"Don't worry, we'll keep an eye on him," Optimus said before whispering, "The sooner he burns the Synthetic Energon off, the better."
xxx
Miko was pointing a laser around for dragon Jackie to chase.
"It's so weird seeing her green," Miko said.
"Ratchet went after Megatron?!" First Aid exclaimed. "I'm on my way!"
"First Aid! No!" Optimus protested.
First Aid took off his brace and ran through the bridge.
xxx
Come on, Dad. Where are you? First Aid asked himself. "If I could just-"
He heard a load groan and saw an injured vehicon.
"Uh, hi?" First Aid walked to the mech.
"S-stay away!" The shaking mech tried to run, but fell. "D-don't hurt me!"
"I'm not, I'll help you. Let me see your injury." First Aid put his hands on both sides of the mech's head. "I can fix this up in a snap." He got to work. "So, what kind of vehicon are you?"
"A miner. What kind of Autobot are you?"
"A Rescue Bot."
"You didn't!" Heatwave exclaimed.
"I did," First Aid said.
The miner grabbed First Aid below the belt.
"What the?! Let go!" First Aid yelled a bit squeaky.
"What are you gonna do, pussy?" the miner groped harder.
"You know, it doesn't feel bad!" First Aid continued to fix the mech's face.
"You're weird."
"Stay still," First Aid finished the repairs. "Now, I fixed your face, can you tell me where Megatron may be? I have to stop the bot that did this to you."
The miner let go of First Aid. "I never said what happened, how did you know who did it?"
"I saw how you were acting and put the pieces together."
The miner told him where Megatron was. "Um, do you want to... you know?"
"What do you- wha- no! No, no, no! I have a mechfriend!"
xxx
"Dad!"
Ratchet pulled out an empty syringe from his arm as he saw his son walk towards him. "What do you want?"
"To help," First Aid said.
"Well, you can help me defeat Megatron, once and for all!" Ratchet then noticed scratch marks on First Aid's lower plating. "You didn't frag a vehicon, did you?"
"One groped me while I fixed his face."
"Why did you assist the enemy?"
"Because I'm a medic."
xxx
"What happened to Jackie?" Arcee asked as the bots looked wide eyed and jaw dropped at the snoozing Predaqueen.
"She got into the gummies," Raf said.
"And CNA," Miko added.
("Hey, can we use her to find Ratchet and First Aid?)" Bumblebee asked.
"It's looking that way," Bulkhead said as he looked at the computer.
Optimus stepped over to the snoozing Predacon transmutate and woke her up. "Do you want to go hunting for Decepticons?"
"Jackie shot up on all fours, standing up straight, wings raised, tail slowly wagging, and excited in the eyes.
xxx
The two medics hid behind a rock in the energon mine.
"Follow my lead," Ratchet told First Aid when Breakdown showed up.
First Aid got a heavy sedative ready and shot Breakdown.
"What the-" Breakdown pulled out the syringe before falling into a deep sleep.
"I told you to follow my lead!" Ratchet said.
"Well, I don't want you to get hurt!" First Aid shot back.
xxx
"Okay, Miko, the Nyaid has magnets in the hands, belly, knees, and feet so you won't fall off Jackie when she's flying," Raf said.
"Comm us when you two find Ratchet and First Aid," Arcee said.
"Don't fall off," Bulkhead nervously said as he put Miko on Jackie's lower neck.
Optimus got Ratchet's favorite tool for Jackie to sniff.
Jackie smelled the tool for two minutes before taking off.
Miko screamed her head off.
xxx
"That is your adversary?" Megatron asked Knockout when Ratchet and First Aid showed up. He laughed. "This is the Autobots' medic!" He saw First Aid. "And his son."
"I am no doctor-" Ratchet started.
"Don't say it," First Aid said.
"I am your doctor of doom!"
"He said it!" First Aid face palmed.
Ratchet punched Megatron, sending him into a wall.
Megatron check his lip to see if he was leaking energon. "He seems to have more spirit."
"Chemical enhancement?" Knockout suggested.
First Aid threw a sedative syringe at Megatron, who caught it and threw it into the young mech's right chest.
"Oh, no," First Aid collapsed.
"For Cybertro-" Ratchet charged, but Megatron grabbed the medic's fist and twisted his arm. Ratchet howled in pain as Megatron shoved his claws into the medic's right chest. Ratchet fell onto his back.
"There is your sample, doctor," Megatron said as he left. "I can't wait to use this on our soldiers."
"F-First Aid," Ratchet said, "help."
"He's a goner," Knockout said. "He has enough sedative in him to put Megatron in stasis for 12 hours."
"First Aid, Optimus, I've been a fool."
xxx
All the Decepticons stopped what they were doing when they heard a strange roar.
"What in the AllSpark?" Megatron quietly said.
The ceiling of the came down as a mythic Predaqueen came in roaring.
xxx
Knockout was about to snuff Ratchet when he heard the noise in the main cavern.
"What is that racket?" Knockout asked.
Ratchet punched Knockout in the face and got up to fight.
Knockout lunged at Ratchet, buzz saw whirring. He ended up getting stuck in the wall.
Ratchet picked up the synthetic energon.
"What are you gonna do? Drink it?" Knockout sarcastically asked.
"No. I'm going to destroy it!" Ratchet slammed the container to the ground, smashing it.
"Megatron will kill me, you idiot!" Knockout freed himself and turned to Ratchet.
They heard the noise again. Knockout's eyes widened when he saw blue fire at the far end of the tunnel and ran away, transforming.
Ratchet crawled to First Aid and held his son's hand.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Ratchet sobbed. "I never meant to hurt you! I'm sorry I called you those names! Please don't leave me!" Ratchet fell into stasis lock.
xxx
The Autobots had scared off the Decepticons with Jackie and they were taking the energon back to base.
("Why is Jackie looking at that tunnel?") Bumblebee asked.
"Miko says she's scouting the tunnel," Bulkhead said.
"Ratchet and First Aid are dead!" Miko screamed.
The Autobots ran into the tunnel and saw the two comatose medics. Ratchet was tightly holding his son's hand.
Jackie let out a sad sigh.
xxx
Ratchet groaned as he woke up and attempted to sit up.
"Easy, old friend," Optimus said. "You lost a lot of energon. Good and bad."
"First Aid! Where is he?!" Ratchet tried to get up again.
"Razor is taking care of him. He is in good hands."
"Will he..."
"It is still too early to know for sure, but we must keep our hopes up."
xxx
Knockout smiled when he saw the small drop of synthetic energon. What was it those humans say? Oh, yes. 'A little goes a long way'.
xxx
Ratchet watched as Miko and Jackie (who was still a predaqueen) cleaned the base.
"Ratchet, I have an emergency in Griffin Rock," Razor said as she walked to the groundbridge. "Don't get up."
"Who is it this time?" Ratchet asked.
"Blades. Plausible hypothermia."
Razor typed in the coordinates for her ship, and left with the defroster.
Ratchet sat up a little. "Jackie, can you help me up?"
The now blue Predaqueen walked down one of the halls and came back a few minutes later with a datapad in her mouth.
"What is it?" Miko asked as Ratchet took the tablet from Jackie.
Ratchet smiled a bit. "A picture of First Aid and his carrier, or, as a human would say, mother."
Miko walked over and saw First Aid and a mostly red with some white femme.
"This was taken..." Ratchet frowned. "A few weeks before a Decepticon troop raided us. Hope, my mate, and First Aid's mother, didn't make it. After that, I had First Aid join the Protectobots. I wish I didn't," Ratchet put down the datapad.
Then everyone heard a groan.
"What was that?" Ratchet sat up a bit more.
Miko ran to check and saw First Aid trying to stand.
"It's First Aid!" she said. "He's awake!"
xxx
(A/N: present day)
"What did Razor give you to wake up?" Blades asked.
"Something similar to caffeine," First Aid answered.
"What did Ratchet call you?" Heatwave asked.
"Well. when he was on the synth-en, he called you and I a couple of-"
xxx
Kade and Jackie were watching the pilot of Chicago Fire when they heard Heatwave yell something.
"What's Heatwave yelling about this time?" Kade pause the TV.
"First Aid must've told him that Ratchet called them both a slur for the lady part," Jackie said.
"Okay, that'd piss me off, too," Kade unpaused the show.
Jackie then used the remote to turn on the subtitles.
"How'd you do that?" Kade asked.
"We have the same remote," Jackie said.