Chapter 12 Rest and Recovery

"It's coming!" Razorgear gasped her hand hovering over her chest. "What do we do?"

Optimus Primal could only stare back at the panicking femme, he didn't know what to do. He held his hands, "We need to stay calm." He said that more for himself than Razorgear. "I'm going to go get Rhinox, I just need to stay here. Okay?"

Razorgear took steady, even breaths and nodded at the Maximal leader. He calmly exited her quarters, and watched as the door slid shut. Then Optimus broke into a run and slammed on a closed door.

"Rhinox!"

The door slid open, and an exhausted Rhinox stood in the doorway. Attempting to wipe away his tiredness, he answered, "This better be important, I just got Rattrap stable and in the CR. I do need rest, unlike you, Optimus." The medic looked up with tired dull optics to see Optimus' fear filled ones. "What's wrong?"

"Gear, she thinks her sparkling is coming and I don't know what to do. She's in her quarters, alone." Optimus gasped out between heavy breaths.

The medic's orange red optics grew wide. the medic shoved the leader out of his doorway, and then stormed to Razorgear's quarters. "Get Airazor, I'm gonna need her help." The medic entered Razorgear's quarters, and exited almost in the same nanoclick, with his arm wrapped over her shoulder. The medic carefully guided the young femme toward the medical bay of the Axalon.

The leader watched the two slowly walk down the halls. He took a deep breath, then walked briskly to another door, and knocked.

The door slid open, with Tigatron wide awake in the doorway, "Optimus Primal, do you need something?"

The leader awkwardly smiled, "Yeah, actually I need Airazor. It's kind of an emergency."

"What's the emergency?" Airazor stepped beside the white tiger, and leaned against him.

"Gear, her sparkling is on its way. Rhinox said he can use your help." Optimus Primal explained to the femme airscout.

Airazor and Tigatron's optics widened in shock. Then the bird of prey pressed a kiss on the side of the white mech's face and brushed past him and the Maximal leader. "I'll see you two later then." She winked at her lover and ran toward the Medical bay.

The two mechs stared as she turned down a hallway. "Well, I was planning on recharging tonight, but it looks like that isn't going to happen." Optimus joked, "I just pray to Primus Gear will be okay."

. . . . .

"Oh, Dinobot! Giving your spark away to a pathetic Maximal. Well, his spark is in your servos!"

The cannon fired right through Rattrap's chest just above his spark chamber. The purple warlord threw the limp transmetal rat to the ground and flew away.

Dinobot ran to the rat, collapsing beside him. "Rattrap!" Pressing his clawed servos against the wound, Dinobot begged Rattrap to stay alive.

"I'm sorry Choppa' face," Rattrap powered down completely, spark extinguished. Dead. Rattrap died in his arms.

Dinobot's optics blinked on rapidly, his breaths staggering. A heavy fog surrounded his body. Panicking, he pushed around until the door in front of him lifted open.

The raptor staggered into the open, the lights in the room blinded him. After a few blinks of his optics, the Maximal command center came into focus.

"Dinobot? Are you alright?"

Blinking a few more times, Dinobot saw the Maximal leader looking at him. He nodded at Optimus. "I'm fine." He attempted to step toward the control table, but nearly collapsed after two steps.

Before he knew it, two pairs of hands caught Dinobot, then lowered him into a monitor chair. Dinobot glared first to Optimus, then to the owner of the second pair of hands, Tigatron, and thanked them.

"No need." The snowy white tiger responded before he turned to monitor and sat down.

Optimus waited a moment before returning to the control table. Dinobot began to look around and saw Cheetor and Silverbolt staring back at him. Tension filled the Axalon's command center.

He watched Cheetor nervously fiddling his fingers, Tigatron playing virtual card games, Silverbolt staring at the security feeds, and Optimus Primal typing aimlessly on the control table. No one spoke.

Until Dinobot coughed lightly, all heads snapped to face him. "Where's Rattrap?"

Optimus frowned, "He's still in the CR."

"Alright." Dinobot stood, his legs wavering under his own weight. Silverbolt and Optimus steadied him. The raptor shoved them both away. "I can stand!" The fuzor and leader took a step back. "I'll be going to my quarters, if you shall need me." He took a few steps, then said, "Get me when the vermin wakes."

Dinobot felt the gaze of all their optics as he staggered out of the command center. He didn't care of what they thought of him, Rattrap was the only thing that mattered. The raptor forced himself to stand as tall as possible. His optics dimmed with the pain that shot through his protoform.

Though, the warrior refused to show any pain, he remained standing tall until he was out of sight of the command center. Dinobot grabbed his right lower side, a hiss escaped his vocalizer. He leaned on against the wall until he finally arriveed at his private quarters. Then he punched the code violently into the pad, and stepped into his room when the door slid open.

"Primus, help me." Dinobot hissed, and limped to his berth. The warrior winced as he laid down slowly into his berth.

. . . . .

Tigatron typed on one of the monitors, nothing else to do. Optimus Primal had kept most of the crew inside the Axalon. The normally calm tiger was beginning to lose it. The cabin fever was starting to sink in.

Usually the mech was never in the Axalon more the a solar cycle. But, he hadn't left since before the rescue mission for Dinobot and Rattrap. The tiger had just returned and the rest of the Maximals headed out. He breathed out with frustration.

He spun in his chair and faced Optimus, who was staring intensely at the command table. The white tiger coughed to get the Maximal leader's attention.

"No." Optimus spoke without looking up. "We're short handed Tigatron, and if Megatron attacked we'd only have four able bodied mechs. My servos are tied. You're not going anywhere."

It wasn't the first time Tigatron had asked, and it wouldn't be last either.

Another two cycles past and Cheetor and Tigatron joined the two older mechs in the command center. The young cat, Cheetor, was laying on the floor, staring at the ceiling, bored out of his processor.

Silverbolt tapped on the armrest of the chair. He watched as the screens change from camera views within and outside the Axalon. But whenever the image switched to Axalon's Med bay, the screen go to static.

The Maximal fuzor didn't seem interested, his optics were blankly staring at the ever changing screen. The only thing that was on his mind was the last time him and his secret lover, Blackarachnia spoke. The femme mentioned that last time, something about an arc and the golden disk. The fuzor wondered why the arc of the golden disk mattered, though he brushed the thought aside.

"What are all you useless mechs doing?" A femme's voice exclaimed tiredly.

Tigatron was the first one up, he jumped over Cheetor, and wrapped his arms around the femme, "Airazor! Are you alright?! How's-"

The falcon femme gently pushed the white mech slightly away, "Relax, I'm fine. Just tired."

He backed a single small step away, giving her the space she silently asked for without being too far away. The tiger watched Optimus Primal carefully as he approached them.

"Did everything go well? It seemed that it lasted too long." The leader demanded.

Airazor smiled and shrugged, "Rhinox said that sometimes it goes long, but no usually. Plus, Gear was two decacycles early."

Cheetor, who was no longer laying on the ground, now beside Optimus asked. "But is she okay?"

"Don't worry, Cheetor she's fine." the tired scout smiled.

The silver fuzor stepped up, "And the sparkling?"

"He's healthy."

Optimus stood straighter, "A mech?"

Airazor nodded, and Cheetor jumped for another question. "Did she name him yet?!"

"Cheetor, relax." She pause, "No, she hasn't named him yet." Airazor looked to the Maximal leader. "Rhinox said for you to go to Med bay when you get a chance." She took a long deep breath, "And if no one else needs anything, I'm going to got recharge." Airazor grabbed Tigatron's hand and pulled him with her. They walked together out of the command center.

The two scouts were silent until they reached their shared quarters. It wasn't until the door slid closed behind them, Airazor released Tigatron's hand.

He smiled to her as she relaxed into their shared berth, "So, can I assume that we won't be having any sparklings then?" Tigatron stepped closer to their berth.

Leaning forward, Airazor grabbed Tigatron's hand and pulled his to sit side her. Once he leaned his back against the wall, she answered. "Well, not any time soon." She explained, her voice tired and light. She laid her head in his lap.

"In the future?" The white tiger inquired as he placed his hand on the exhausted femme's shoulder.

She smile and snuggled closer to her mate, "Maybe, Tigatron. Maybe."

. . . . .

Optimus stepped into the Med Bay and his audiuals were attacked by loud crying. He covered his head and walked closer to the Maximal medic, who seemed to be rocking on his feet.

As Optimus got closer he could hear what Rhinox was saying. "Hush, hush little one. Your carrier is trying to recharge." The medic was rocking the newly online sparkling in his arms, the sparkling ignored the medic and continued to scream.

"How is he?" Optimus asked when he stepped beside Rhinox. The leader's hand lifted and brushed the side of the sparkling's small head.

Rhinox forced a laugh, "A pain in the aft, but healthy."

"And Gear?"

After hushing the sparkling again, Rhinox answered. "Other than being very exhausted, she's in good shape.

Holding out his arms to the medic, Optimus offered. "I can take him for a while. If you need to take care of anything else."

Without a second thought, Rhinox shoved the newborn into the leader's open arms. "Here!" The medic immediately backed away from the newly acquainted pair.

Carefully, Optimus held the sparkling in his arms and began to rock back and forth. "Hi there little bitty, we need to be quiet now." The screaming softened, then stopped abruptly. Rhinox stared, as the purple-black two toned metal of the sparkling shined vibrantly in the bright lights of the Axalon's Med Bay. A tiny hand reached up to Optimus' face in attempt to grab it. The leader offered the sparkling his finger to grab, the little sparkling grabbed the finger that was offered to him and squealed with a new found joy.

"How did you do that?" The medic asked.

The leader looked up with the bright beaming smile that Rhinox hadn't seen on the leader in along time, "I don't know." He glanced back at the new ball of life in his arms, "I don't know."

. . . . .

He felt a light hand on his shoulder, carefully trying to wake him from recharge. Softly calling his name, "Dinobot? Hey, Dinobot?"

The warrior could tell it wasn't the bot that mattered to him right now, nor was it Optimus Primal, so he decided not to respond. The warrior pulled his shoulder away from the gentle hand.

"Well, Rhinox wanted to make sure you're okay. So, he sent some energon for you." Again, the warrior didn't answer. "So, could you at least have some. When you get up, you know."

"Shut up, feline." Dinobot snapped, without moving in his berth.

Cheetor winced back from the recovering warrior, "Sorry, Dinobot. But it's been two solar cycles, and you haven't came out of here." A low vicious growl escaped the warrior's vocalizer. "Okay, fine." Cheetor retreated to the door then said, "Rattrap hasn't woken up yet." And the young Maximal scout left the warrior's quarters.

The warrior curled tighter on his berth, he wouldn't cry he refused to. Two whole solar cycles, and Rattrap hadn't left the CR- Chamber. What if he never wakes up? The thought caused Dinobot to wince in fear, and it would be all my fault.

Dinobot tried not to cry, but failed. And he weeped.

. . . . .

Razorgear sat up quickly, breathing heavily. Disorientated, she looked around, until a massive hand gently guided her back down.

"Relax Gear."

She stared at the ceiling, "Rhinox?"

"Yes?" The medic's optics were locked on the monitor connected to her.

Her head snapped side to side, "Where is he?!" Rhinox stared down at her, but didn't respond. "Where is my sparkling?!"

"Right here, Gear." Another voice answered.

She turned her head to find the owner, Optimus Primal was across the room rocking back and forth on his feet. She smiled when she saw her child in the leader's arms. Then she turned to watch Rhinox. "Why can't I get up?" The femme questioned the medic.

He smiled at her, and then turned back to the monitor. "You've been in stasis for the past solar cycle. It took a lot out of you, I don't want you to do anything for a while."

Her optics widened, "A whole solar cycle? Who was watching my sparkling?!"

"Well, mainly Optimus," Rhinox answered, he swiped the screen of the monitor and new information appeared. "He's the only one that can keep him from crying."

"Okay," Razorgear yawned. "I'm gonna-" and she slipped into recharge again.

Optimus took a few steps toward the medic, "How is she doing?"

"She's recovering quite well." Rhinox explained, his hand brushed over her shoulder. "She just needs some more time." Optimus smiled and lifted the tiny sparkling into the air. It smiled at the leader, and reached for him. "You'd make one great sire, Optimus."

"Skydust said that too."

Rhinox stared at the Maximal leader, "Are you okay?"

Optimus looked at the medic then pulled the sparkling back into his arms. "Kinda, yeah, I'm fine."

The medic frowned, "Maybe you should get some rest too."

"Who's gonna watch the bitty?" Optimus smirked, the medic rolled his optics and lifted the sparkling out of the leader's arms.

"I will." Rhinox held the child in one arm, and pushed the leader out with the other. "Now go recharge, otherwise I'm gonna' force a medical recharge on you!"

Optimus defensively threw his hand into the air, "Alright. Alright, I'm going!"

The leader exited the Med Bay and continued on his way to his quarters. He took his time when he walked through the halls of the Axalon.

The transmetal gorrilla paused in the middle of his stride to stare a closed door. Dinobot's door, to be exact. The leader thought he should talk to the warrior. Though, Optimus Primal didn't know what he could say. Words of comfort, that Rattrap was going to be okay. He knew as well as Dinobot that Rattrap might not wake up. The leader knew for sure that the exPredacon would blame himself.

There was nothing for the Maximal leader to do. Not right now at least.

Optimus continued to walk to his quarters. The leader had a lot on his processer, he knew he wasn't going to recharge any time soon.

Rhinox watched as the CR-Chamber light flicked from red to green. He waited a few clicks and no one exited the Chamber. Rattrap had been in the CR for almost a decacycle, the medic glanced at the CR results. They said the Rattrap was repaired, but not fully. The repairs around the maximal spy's spark were too delicate for the CR to do.

Rattrap would just have to recover normally from the damage to his spark. The rat might not ever be the same again.

That was the last thing the medic wanted for his friend. He closed the program containing the medical records. Rhinox roamed out of the command center to his own quarters.

Maybe his friend would wake in the morning.

. . . . .

"The CR light is green!" Cheetor exclaimed, "Is Rattrap coming out?" The young transmetal feline pointed at the light at the top of the CR-Chamber.

Optimus didn't look up, Rhinox informed him that the CR said Rattrap was repaired, but they knew the rat's damage was extensive. He might not ever wake up.

"RATTRAP!" Cheetor yelled as he ran closer to the CR.

Optimus spun around and saw Cheetor hugging a smaller bot, "Primus, Cheetor give him some space." The young scout backed away, releasing Rattrap from his grip.

The spy rubbed his hand over his chest, "Hey, furball." Then, Rattrap nodded to the leader, "Boss monkey, how's it goin'?"

Optimus laughed, "Better than it has been."

"Good," Rattrap smirked back, before a coughing fit attacked him. He rubbed his chest again once the fit calmed. "I think dat I'm gonna go recharge for a while."

Cheetor shot a glance at the Maximal leader, "I'll go get-"

Optimus raised his hand in front Cheetor to silence him. "I'll escort to your quarters, Rattrap." The look the leader gave the spy was a question.

The rat nodded, "Yeah, sounds good, fearless leader." The rat sounded in pain, and very exhausted.

Rattrap stumbled out of the command center and down toward the Maximal quarters. Optimus walked behind him.

They walked slowly down to Rattrap's quarters, the spy stopped in the middle of the hallway, and Optimus almost ran into him.

"Is Choppa' face up?" Rattrap stared at one of the closed doors.

Optimus Primal nodded, "Most likely." Rattrap didn't respond, he only continued to stare at the closed door. "You can go see him, you know that, right?"

Rattrap typed on the keypad, and watched as the door slid open. The injured Maximal smirked back at the leader, "Thanks, Optimus. Night." And the door slid closed behind the rat.

A still body laid in the berth facing the wall, covered with a blanket. It didn't move, Rattrap moved closer as quietly as he could. Dinobot turn to lay on his back, and smiled as Rattrap got closer to his berth.

"Vermin." Was Dinobot was able to say, before the rodent crawled under the blanket, into the berth beside him. Rattrap snuggled closer to the raptor. "I worried about you." Dinobot whispered, wrapping one of his arms around his smaller lover. "I was worried that you wouldn't come out of stasis, you lost so much energon. I thought I was going to lose you."

The warrior couldn't say too much more to his recovered lover, Rattrap was already recharging in arms. "I love you, Rattrap."

End of Chapter 12!

Wowow, this one was rough. Soorrry. PLEASE let me know what you thought of this chapter.

It might be a while before I update again. But I promise Chapter 13 is in the works.

Thank you for all the support!

~Love ArcMaximal