thoughts/Bumblebee talk/dreams/flashback

OptimusxRatchet

Child(s): Solarwind, Hot Rod, Bumblebee (adopted), Turnfire

Knock OutxBreakdown

Child(s): Blockout

MegatronxSoundwave

Child(s): Sonicbeat, cassetticons (adopted)

CliffjumperxArcee

Child(s): Gatejumper, Miracle

BulkheadxWheeljack

Child(s):

JazzxProwl

Child(s):

IronhidexChromia

Child(s): Sundance

StarscreamxSkyfire

Child(s):

ex RatchetxLightewave

Child(s): Prowl, Barricade, Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, Bluestreak, Smokescreen

Warnings: kissing, mentions of interfacing, violence, slash, fluff, possibly sadness in future chapters, death, birth, and mpreg. And anything I forgot to add.

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers. Only Hasbro. I only own my characters. XxXSkylarxRatchet96XxX owns Sonicbeat. Optimus' girl owns Turnfire and made Blockout, Gatejumper, and Miracle.

Arcee left Cliffjumper tied to the berth, gagged and unconscious. She had cooled down... for now. The femme walked into the main room, not seeing Solarwind. Optimus was next to Ratchet's side, murmuring something. The medic was awake, listening carefully. The humans played their games and the other two mechs were at the monitor, looking at a signal that appeared.

"Uh... Optimus? There's an Autobot ship hailing us," said Bulkhead.

"I'll be right back love," Opitmus whispered. He went up to the computer and pressed a button. "This is Autobot Outpost Omega One."

"Hey Prime," greeted a voice.

"Jazz, it is good to hear from you," said Optimus. "Who all is with you?"

"Uh... Prowler, 'Hide, Chromia, Twins, Bluestreak, and Skyfire," said Jazz. There was arguing in the background.

"'Hide stop it!"

"I ain't doing nothin'."

"You're being clingy to me again."

"I can't help it if I love you."

"Sounds like Ironhide and Chromia are arguing again. Anyway, where should we land Boss?" asked Jazz.

"I will send you coordinates. I shall meet you," said Optimus. "Careful landings."

Optimus sent the coordinates and turned towards his team.

"Should someone stay with Ratchet?" asked Arcee.

"I will do that. Arcee, I trust you to bring our new recruits here safely," said Optimus.

"Yes sir," said Arcee.

Optimus walked back to Ratchet and told him the news. The medic smiled at the news. His smiled faded and was replaced with a frown. Optimus frowned as well, looking at his mate carefully.

"Has Solarwind returned yet?" Ratchet asked.

"He did for a short while. He felt your pain through the bond and came back. Arcee... said some things and Solarwind returned back to the Decepticons," said Optimus.

"That femme must learn when and what to say," said Ratchet.

"It appears that Soundwave and Knock Out are expecting. Solarwind wishes to see Megatron's sparkling when it arrives," said Optimus.

"Sparklings hmm? Been a long time since a sparkling was ever seen. Solarwind and Bumblebee were the last ones that we know of," said Ratchet.

~~~000

"New Decepticons?" Megatron asked, looking at the screen. Soundwave just nodded. "Have them board the ship."

Soundwave nodded again and typed away at the computer, sending their current coordinates. Megatron headed up to the flight deck to greet the new arrivals. Solarwind was walking through the ship, looking for his uncle. The two ran into each other.

"Uncle Megatron guess what?" Solarwind asked, a mix of sadness and happiness in his voice.

"What?" Megatron returned.

"Carrier is sparked," Solarwind rejoiced.

"Then why do you sound sad?" Megatron asked.

"Well... Carrier's really sick. Knock Out looked at the scans I took of him before returning. He has a virus that doesn't have a cure. Knock Out also said that he's had it when he was sparked. He should have hundreds of years left, but something made it shorten to a few years," Solarwind explained. He choked for a bit, clenching his servos together and gritting his denta. "The sparkling has a high chance of not making it. Carrier could also die during the delivery."

"Oh Solarwind, I'm so sorry," Megatron said softly, pulling the mech into his arms. "Bring Ratchet here when it's time. Knock Out and Breakdown are the best to help him. I am positive that they will ensure that Ratchet does not die during delivery. And if he does, then we will do whatever it takes to help raise this sparkling."

"What? What is this about my carrier?" a voice snarled. "Lord Megatron, what are you talking about?"

"Ah Barricade, so good to see you again," Megatron greeted. He looked past him to see little bots running towards him. "Ah, my children, glad to see you as well."

"Sire, is carrier here?" asked Rumble.

"Yeah, it's been like forever since we last saw him," Frenzy agreed.

"He's in the command center. I trust you know how to get there?" Megatron asked.

"Yep!" both twins shouted.

Megatron smiled and turned back to the shock trooper. Barricade was staring at Solarwind in disgust.

"Barricade, this is your brother, Solarwind," Megatron introduced. "As for what we were talking about-"

"I have no other brothers. Carrier didn't have anymore after sire was killed from an Autobot sniper," Barricade growled.

"That's not true! Ratchet is my carrier and Optimus is my sire," Solarwind argued.

"Ratchet bonded to Optimus a bit before Cybertron was evacuated. Before then, Ratchet was in heat and Optimus helped him. That is how Solarwind came to be," Megatron explained. "Ratchet is carrying yet again. Unfortunately he doesn't have long to live. This... virus he has had since he was sparked has appeared. Something happened to make it shorten his life. It is possible that the sparkling he carries will not make it. There is also a chance he could die during the sparking."

"That's not possible. The virus is a slow killing one. He should have hundreds of solar cycles left," Barricade denied.

"I'm sorry Barricade. I wish there was another way," said Megatron.

"I'm... I'm going to go back to tell carrier what Knock Out found," said Solarwind.

"Take me with you. I... wish to see him," Barricade requested quietly.

~~~000

"Solarwind is back," Bulkhead announced.

Optimus looked up from his spot next to the medibay berth. He glanced at Ratchet before getting up. The groundbridge closed when Solarwind and Barricade came through. The new recruits pointed their guns at Barricade, prepared to shoot. Solarwind shrunk down a bit, looking at the new faces and having guns pointed at them.

"Autobots stand down," Optimus commanded. "Solarwind, welcome back. Your carrier wishes to see you."

"Good. I want to tell him what Knock Out told me," said Solarwind, heading towards the medibay.

"Barricade, what are your reasons here?" Prowl asked.

"Well... I... uh... came to see carrier. I heard that the virus is making him really ill. It could also kill him and the sparkling," Barricade explained.

"Sparkling? Barricade, please explain," Optimus said, spark racing and optics wide.

~~~000

"Carrier?" Solarwind asked, timidly walking up to the berth. Ratchet was propped up, reading a datapad. There were machines attached to him, monitoring. "Dad said you wanted to see me."

"Yes I do," said Ratchet, smiling and setting down the datapad. "I'm glad to see you again."

"Yeah, I've been away for a while. I came by and then disappeared again. Knock Out... told me what your scans mean," said Solarwind. He handed over the datapad. Ratchet took it and looked at the data. "I don't want you to die."

"Solarwind," Ratchet started, "there is nothing we can do."

"Barricade is also here. He came and wanted to see you," said Solarwind, looking down suddenly. "I'm sorry for being away for so long."

"There is nothing to be sorry about. Just as long as you are safe," said Ratchet, pulling his son down to hug him. "Solarwind, if I don't survive the sparking-"

"No, you're going to survive."

"I said if. Now, if I don't survive... I want you to help raise your sibling. Can you promise me that?"

"Yeah, I promise."

Ratchet looked past his son to see his oldest standing nervously in the doorway. He motioned him to come forward. Barricade shuffled forward, looking ashamed. Ratchet pulled him into a hug after letting Solarwind go. Barricade was on his knees, clutching Ratchet close and shaking as he cried. Solarwind took his leave, going into a room full of confused and saddened mechs and femmes.

"I'm so sorry carrier. For everything I've done," Barricade whispered. "I left you and my brothers when you needed me most. I hurt them and you. I couldn't even save sire when an Autobot sniper shot him."

"Shh... it's alright my son. You were trying to protect us," Ratchet soothed. "I'm just glad that you're still alive. No matter what you've done, I will always love you."

"I love you too carrier," Barricade choked out, his form shaking harder. "I promise to stay right by your side. I will help you with this carrying term and with the little sparkling."

Ratchet smiled and thanked his son. Barricade couldn't stop his tears. The mere thought of his carrier dying was too much to handle. He already lost his sire, he didn't want to lose his carrier. Barricade's tears subsided and Ratchet looked at him, wiping away the remaining tears.

"Now, go get your siblings for me. I haven't seen them in a very long time," said Ratchet. Barricade nodded and got up, heading to get his brothers.

~~~000

"They seem to be taking to Earth just fine," Megatron commented, watching his adoptive creations play around.

"Lazerbeak is happy to be with her siblings," said Soundwave.

"Indeed. I am going to assume Barricade won't return for quite a while. With Ratchet becoming ill, he will want to stay by his side," said Megatron. "Knock Out informed me earlier that the Synthetic Energon is the cause of the virus progressing as much as it did. I worry for the sparkling he carries as well. The chances of the sparkling living is very low."

"Let us hope that things will be alright with them," said Soundwave.