Prime Blood Bombs Away: Chapter 3

Bumblebee and Optimus wait anxiously in the main room when the three engine noises are heard entering the tunnel. Two sound out of hitch but it's kind of hard to diagnose with the laughing and rattling of metal panels.

Finally the motorcycle, Lancia and ambulance make it swerving into the main room. Wheeljack and Arcee's protoform emerge just fine. But Ratchet is stuck. Wheeljack comes behind the ambulance, "That piece still giving you problems? Here, let me help." Pulling his foot back.

"No-" Clang "OWWW! You Pit slagging-" and the curses continue while Ratchet unfolds to his protoform rubbing his aft.

Wheeljack shrugs, "Works like a charm every time."

Ratchet turns around and narrows his aqua-blues and raises his fist, "You… you…"

Just when Arcee is afraid they are going to go at it again, the twin white mechs start laughing. Again. Hard. Leaning on each other in support and pointing fingers. The rest of the base it completely silent in confusion.

"Remember that time we stuck a rabbit in Perceptor's Petri dish…." Wheeljack begins again. Ratchet throws his head back howling and wiping his optics.

"As I remember, it was two rabbits." Both white mechs turn to their leader and roar again. "And I don't remember the results being humorous."

Wheeljack thrusts a thumb at Prime sniggering, "Stick in the mud."

Optimus, quite pleased to see two of his dear soldiers reunited again, lets the jab go. Instead leans into them, "Don't even think about it." Both mech look straight into the warm blue optics with innocent ones. Then the leader's grin comes out, "Because unlike last time, you have no one else to pin it on this time." The two scientist giggle again leaning into each other. Optimus pats their shoulders, "Prowl was mess, no thanks to you two. Thank you very much for leaving me to deal with HIM!" With that, he turns away shaking his head.

The humans are stunned by what just happened. Ratchet and Wheeljack stumble into the med bay to fix each other up. Bumblebee and Optimus share a warm smile.

"About time," the youngest one sighs happily.

"Indeed. Yes indeed," Optimus nods returning to the task at hand.

Arcee on the other hand heads to the weapons room and grabs a stone and releases her blades. Sea star-Shrapnel comes in and grabs another for her own blade. "Was that Ratchet and Wheeljack laughing I heard?"

Arcee nods, "Uhhuh, after they finished beating the scrap out of each other."

"Over what?"

Arcee ponders that one for a moment. How can she tell this femme Ratchet just interrupted her kissing her ex-intended? And thank Primus he did! The blue helm shakes and tries to sound calm, "Everything."

Seastar sighs, "Good. I really wanted him to reconcile. I know it was burning a hole in his chest for his brother."

Arcee smirks, "You know they aren't really brothers, right?"

Seastar smiles, "The few stories I did get from Perceptor and a rare one or two from 'Jackie… it doesn't matter when it comes to matters of the spark. Does it?"

Arcee smiles and shakes her head. "No, it doesn't."

Seastar runs the stone down the smooth edge of the blade, "So you've been here quite awhile. Have you checked out Ratchet's form?" Arcee's stone stills for just a second, shuttering to the taste of Wheeljack still on her lips. She wasn't a fool, Ratchet was like Optimus or Ultra Magnus, age has nothing against form. Some only increase in attractiveness with time. Ratchet was definitely one of those. Arcee was also no bimbo. A strong spark desperately longing for a certain mech, but the reality was not kind. With Wheeljack's arrival and revelation to the state of the Wreckers, she had given up hope. But also was scared to never be bonded. The dream of every femmeling. The dream of near every bot: to find the ONE and share your life-force with them. And just maybe, Primus would grant you the gift of a new life. Just… maybe.

Focusing on her blade, Arcee had resigned herself that her green knight was gone or had joined another thinking she was lost as well. She sighs heavily. Not, it hadn't been far from her processor to try catching Ratchet's optic, but he was an older mech, and not easily enticed. And there was something else. Something else she just couldn't put her finger on. Something that made him off limits. It had bothered her. It also had made him that much more attractive.

That time when he was hyped up on the synthetic Energon and tore out of the base like a one mech-wrecking team… whoa. And then having the cogs to go toe to toe with Prime. Arcee wouldn't lie, she had some rather explicit dreams about the medic that night. Ones that made it very hard for her to face him for a few days without wanting to pounce the virile mech. Primus that swagger he had to his steps. The shoulders pulled back just a bit more taught, the fists clenched, and that wicked, wicked smirk.

"Oh so you have? Have you noticed how hot those hips are?"

Arcee stands up quickly dropping her stone, "Excuse me." Rushing from the room, she breezes past the rec area. Jack tries to call to her, but she keeps going towards her personal quarters.

~~00~~ She's not sure how long she was in there when a knock comes to the door. "Hey, Arcee, it's me. Can we talk?"

Arcee is a bit nervous to be alone with the mech again. But she doesn't want any lasting damage to the team to occur, so she releases the lock. Softly he eases himself into the room and closes the door behind him. Wheeljack notices Arcee sitting in the corner looking some holo-projected images of the past. It's her posture that makes him stand by the opposite wall giving them both great distance. Arcee is in the corner, chin on her knees watching her images. She doesn't even look up to him.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't-"

"Just because you have made up to Ratchet doesn't mean you need to with me."

"Are you mad at me?" He doesn't move but does watch her carefully and tries to identify the images. Arcee shakes her head slowly. "Are you mad at you?"

She raises her head, "Jack, I'm not mad at anyone, so give it a rest." That was a complete lie. Here she was looking at images of the one mech she honestly wants to spend the rest of her life with and she yet she nearly gave her body to one a couple hours ago and had hot dreams about another a few months ago. Not, she wasn't horney, she was aching for … a mate. And Wheeljack was a fool to throw one away.

He puts a hand out asking for the images. She hesitates, but then flicks the cube to him. Activating it, Wheeljack smiles. "Mmm, those were some good days."

Finally she asks the question she wanted to since he arrived, "Have you heard from him?"

Wheeljack freezes. He knows exactly who she is talking about. The mech in the picture before him holding Arcee rather possessively in his arms. The Wrecker's SIC who has it bad for the blue and pink femme before him since time began. Slowly he shakes his head. Her own helm drops to press her forehead to her knees. A sob chokes out. So confused. So mixed up. So upset. So pained. So tempted.

He knows he has to do something. Moving forward, Arcee raises one pistoled wrist towards him, "Don't." Setting the cube down, he silently backs up and leaves the room.

~~~00~~~

A weeks days later, Wheeljack and Miko are in the training room. Miko high up on the shelf picking a station on the radio. Jack is also there beside her preparing to match Wheeljack's moves in a training session with bamboo kantanas strapped to his back.

Of course Miko puts on the acid rock stuff making both Jacks cringe. She snarks to their reaction, "Oh so what do you want to practice to? That kabuki music?"

Wheeljack rolls his optics, "Just give me something that has a beat and no cats being stretched across power lines." The younger Jack chuckles.

Amused, Seastar and Arcee stand themselves in the doorway at Wheeljack's back to watch. So sure enough, Miko finds a decent station to the white mech's helm tip. "Now just watch me, youngling."

Wheeljack starts with no weapons just making the smooth moves to the slow part. Touch Me by A-Ha. When the beat picks up, begins to swirl and the drums roll, his body begins to curl and rise with the crescendos. As it softens he lowers himself to the floor stretching and reaching. Seastar can feel herself yearning to be the one he warms up with again. They used to be in such harmony in training together. Sometimes they never finished the session and instead stretched other muscled body parts together on the practice mats. Her body begins heating at those past images.

Arcee is quite surprised to see her Jack keeping pace with the better trained warrior. Glancing to the side, she smiles seeing Miko has the same drooling eyes that Seastar has. It's almost enough to make her laugh. Okay, so I'm not the only femme needing the touch of mech companionship.

When the song ends, Wheeljack notices his charge's drooling expression, "So, Miko, how did he do? Did he stay with me?"

"Uh… ye-uueah." She stammers. Jack flushes. Wheeljack chuckles.

"Okay Jack, this time, bring out one. Just one, and watch me. I'll give you the signal when to join me. 'Kay?" The dark haired kid nods trying to ignore Miko's drugged look.

The commercial ends and the next song kicks in. Wheeljack begins chuckling. Lets Get Loud. Whipping the kantana off his back he begins striking right and left as if there was a pole before him to the fast beat. At the bridge he just has to be cocky and twirl the sword in the air, catching it on the downward glide rocking his steps to the beat.

With a nod to Jack he counts, "One and two and one and two. Right and left, right and left. Good, keep it up. Stay with me!" Rock'n Latin twist gets Wheeljack's better trained hips rolling into the thrusts and strikes, while Jack is a bit stiffer. Miko signing along to it just brings out the party scene. Wheeljack brings a curl to his hip with his next steps. A very low, groan comes from the doorway.

Finally Wheeljack curls his head over his shoulder and flicks his optic brows to the two femmes, "Don't be shy, come join us!" The look alone in the wicked optics melted her, but added with the dance moves with a sword, she was molten slag. And he just had to have that eat-slag smirk on his face. Now she was pissed.

Seastar comes before him drawing her own sword and countering his blocks, trying to use her own sly smooth dance steps. Both are beaming. Miko can see the sparing has turned onto a dance. Jackie will strike three times pushing her back, then allow her three to push him back. Turn, curl, and another three steps forward, two steps back. By the end, both are really warmed up in body and spark.

The next song draws out something different. Fire and Ice by Pat Benatar. Pain seems to come across both their faces at the words. Even Arcee begins to feel uncomfortable as their bodies come closer and closer. Soon enough the weapons are tossed aside and palms are pressed entwining fingers as they push an maneuver each other around the room trying to push the other one to submit. He even has her arms pinned behind her back at one point. Just for that, Seastar slides her thigh between his heated ones. He moans, and she grins pressing in further with her hips. Wheeljack shoves back hard enough to dislodge her, covering his face in shame and tuning his back.

Jack turns to Miko softly, "Maybe we should go."

"No, stay." Everyone looks to Ratchet in the door way. "The mech never did learn to dance. Here, let me show you, Seastar." Wheeljack snaps his head around shooting daggers at Ratchet. The mech was just trying to make him jealous. NO! He wouldn't let his reawakening spark betray his resolve.

The next song comes on Josh Groban's When You Say You Love Me. Ratchet nudges Arcee to head towards Wheeljack. Taking Seastar's hand in his right, he pipes up, "Take her right hand, left GENTLY goes to her waist. Like this. Respectful distance. You too Jack and Miko."

"I know how to dance, Ratchet." The hurting one snaps.

"Then shut up and move, Aft-head."

Once everyone's is positioned, Ratchet bends his knee and begins to lead and sway with Wheeljack's beloved. Seastar is trembling looking past the medic' shoulder to the embarrassed engineer. Arcee looks just as nervous to her own tormented emotions. Touching a near bonded warrior heated and scented with that mechly musk of desire, it's enough to rend her spark in two. But when he smiles weakly for a second, she can see he is just about to fail with Seastar. Arcee squeezes his hand in support. He takes it. Soon enough they get the rhythm and stay on it and off each other's toes.

Winking to Arcee after a few turns, Ratchet draws closer to them, "Now, it should be the same with any partner." He doesn't give them a choice. Letting go of Seastar's waist, he takes Arcee's hand from Wheeljack, trading it for Seastar's. Before they can protest, he twirls Arcee to the other side of the room and doesn't let her escape.

Relaxing into Ratchet's skilled graceful arms, she presses closer. Ratchet allows his hand to curl around to her back and hold her a little tighter. His optics are so warm and comforting, "You okay?" His asks very low. She just nods. "Good. Let's see if they figure it out."

The song changes again, "… I'd catch a grenade for you. I'd fall on a blade for you." Wheeljack, clutches Seastar even tighter. Seastar curls her body even closer. It wasn't long and her head was in the crook of his neck while one arm secures her to his chest, the other hand pressing her finger tips to his lips. Wheeljack knew he was a fool, "Forgive me."

"Never," she whispers. His chest shutters. Cupping a helm tip, she tips him to look directly at her optics, "Time is too short for regrets."

"I never stopped loving you."

"I know."

"I don't know if I can bond." He shutters again.

Drawing their faces closer she whispers, "Okay." His forehelm press to hers just soaking up the moment.

Miko relaxes into Jack's gentle hold. She sees him watching the other two couples to keep himself from being nervous about the girl in his arms. Miko's words are actually serious, "They aren't so different from us, are they?"

Jack shakes his head, "No, I guess not."

"Do you think Wheeljack will finally marry her?"

"I don't know. War does terrible, terrible things to you. I saw Cybertron." He shutters. Miko soothes his back. "I can't imagine what I would feel if Earth looked like that and I had someone I loved …." Now he turns to Arcee, "And Arcee… a soldier. What has it done to her chance for a family structure?"

Miko smiles, "She looks real good right there in Docbot's arms. Think there's a chance for them?"

Jack smiles into his friend's hopeful face, "It would be nice. They both deserve to have love."

Miko then flicks her eyes to the door where Optimus is watching with an unreadable look. "What about him?"

A very long heavy sigh comes from the young man with the heart wrenching secret he knows. Optimus catches Jack's sorrowful gaze for him. The cant of the leader's head says it all, Do no grieve for me. They are my reason for surviving. This is what I live for.

"Jack?" Miko can see the secret conversation between Optimus and Jack. Optimus turns his back and strides to his private quarters.

Jack slips both arms around Miko's shoulders holding her very close and whispers into her sweet smelling hair, "He…. Just pray for him, alright."

Miko snuggles into the embrace knowing he is trying to protect her from something. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Jack breathes, "Everything." Lifting Miko's chin to look directly into his eyes, "Everything." Then leans in and gives her their first kiss. Just the lightest touch to mean the world is just them for now. And no one else.

Arcee leans in closer to Ratchet. He steers them towards the corner of the room where no one will hear them. Maybe this is just the moment. Maybe it's time to give up on Springer and try for a future directly before her. Optimus is in her spark as a brother of shared grief. Bumblebee was way to young. Ratchet was torn and weathered as much as herself. He can understand the need to bond while there is still a chance of them surviving. Maybe, just maybe. Slipping a palm behind his neck, she moves on these confusing emotions of warmth and yes, even desperation. She rolls to her toe tips bringing their faces only inches apart.

Ratchet knows that look in Arcee's optics as she leans into his face. His left hand finger slips up to her lips with a sad smile and presses, "Don't."

"Why?" She asks trying desperately to push his block away. "Is it because of what you thought you saw with Wheeljack?" Ratchet's chest rumbles lightly in amusement. "Look Arcee, I know what I saw. It was a dumb excuse. I know you don't love me. You don't love him either. You are hurting and longing for a certain green triple changer who will skin me alive if I even thought of touching you."

Arcee's spark is grieving and torn to shreds. Searching desperately for some mech, one tender gentle mech who can glue or patch it back together. Afraid to give up on Springer, but on the other hand, knows she can't be a fool and carry a torch for him forever. "He might be dead like the rest. Or have moved on himself…"

Oh his spark panged for her hurt. Yes, the truth and reality of war and loss of contact. One thing that bondmates rarely have to worry about. The uncertainly isn't there. They knew for sure if one was dead or alive.

He sighs heavily and can see he will have to break the news to her. He switches to the private link just between their two helms. /I'm going to tell you something. A private secret that only Ironhide and Optimus know. And I swear you better not reveal this or you will feel their and my full wrath, got it?/ His optics were cold with warning. She nods in surprise to see this. This was no idle threatening tone & look. No, this was his very real one. One that he will not continue until he gets her confirmation. She nods again.

/Arcee, I can not conceder another femme. For you see,/ he drops the armored glove on his left hand. She can see what looks like twin iridescent red & black toothed locking rings engraved and bound permanently to his protoform skin, /I am bonded. And no, I will tell you nothing else./ The glove closes swiftly.

Her mouth gapes, /That's why you understand Wheeljack's plight./ The chevron helm nods. /Will you tell him?/

He smiles sneakily, /I will not tell you if I do or not. For I do not want you two discussing it. You know how nosey these younglings are and I have… a lot at risk./

"Sparklings!" Pops out loud and excited. Everyone's helms/head pop up.

Ratchet rolls his optics, /And that would prove my point. I will tell you nothing. Please, take what I said as a private gift. For I can count on one hand how many know and it will keep us safe. Understand?/

/Understood./ Her face flushes for the outburst. And then beams for him telling her this very private bit of his life. Now it leaves her wanting to know everything.

/Not happening./ he can see that look on her face and shakes his helm. Ratchet gives her one last blessing. Hope. Flicking a finger towards Wheeljack he mock grumbles, "If Primus has decided THAT can stay online, then I swear, your Springer is out there searching for you as well. You must be safe and be his when he returns."

For that, she buries her face in his chest, and vents heavily letting a few tears release. Ratchet wraps her in his arms and presses his own face into her helm top. "It's okay, Arcee, you will survive this." Her head rolls in a negative. "Oh yes you can."

A soft moan turns their head towards the other Cybertronian couple. Ratchet touches his comlink again, /Jack, go back to Jackhammer. Unless you want to explain Cybertronian interfacing to the human children./

/Get them off the base, because I won't make it that far./ He was even panting in the comlink.

/I'm not cleaning up this room./

/RATCHET!/ The pent up mech was growling. Arcee had already head over to the shelf taking Miko and Jack down, turning them away from the other couple. Ratchet laughed out loud and followed Arcee out, locking the door behind him so Bumblebee didn't walk in.

Seastar, was suckling on one of Wheeljack's neck cables making him moan louder. As the door closes he steps back trying to catch his breath. Seastar respects him enough to let him calm down for a moment.

"I want you, you know that, right?"

"So are we done with this stupid game?" Seastar crosses her arms.

"You have to accept what I'm willing to give."

"Ratchet is right, you are an aft."

That snaps his optics to her. But what he saw was not a rebuke. It was warmth, "'Jackie, I know. Just, promise that I can be yours while time permits. I understand if you don't want to bond-"

"Not everyone is as strong as Prime. Not everyone survives the death of a mate."

Cheeky, she fires back, "Who are you worried about? You or me?"

He rushes forward cupping her face desperately, "If someone snuffs your spark I must live long enough to make them pay."

Her voice chokes, "If some one kills you, I will not give them the satisfaction of taking two Wreckers. No, I will live for two."

"Oh Primus I love you." His fore helm rests against her again.

Her voice orders him softly, "Take my spark or take my body. They both belong to you alone."

He takes her lips. Molding herself into his form. Making her body one with his, it wasn't long before they forgot where one began and one ended. When her spark emerged, she was not sad that he did not reply. No, this was about her giving herself to him and accepting his touch. He buried his face in the life force making her arch and croon into his tender kisses. It brought her so much joy to see him pleasured by her very life force. It was more than she ever could have asked for.

For a fleeting moment, he felt guilt for not reciprocating. But she wouldn't let that emotion stay for long. No, she pushed back, showing him exactly where she wanted his touch. Shuttering, he watched her elevate and glow in the euphoria of them.

~~~00~~~

Curled up on his side with Seastar nestled in basking with their afterglow, she smiles. Her fingers trace his helm fins. "You have the most beautiful lavender colors in your fins. I wish there was a way to describe it. I want to save that color forever. I wish I could paint Icepick that color and copyright it so no one else can use it. I have no idea what Sunstreaker would call it, but to me… it's Jackie's glow."

He leans in and blushes, shading the tips to a pinkish glow. She continues stroking, "Nope, that isn't it." She thumbs them again. "Mmm, closer. How about this?" She stretches up and plants a kiss on it them pulls back, "Hum, vibrant magenta. And I know how to make them violet purple." That time his body shutters violently, knowing the helm tips glow that color in overload. But that's not what she wants. She wants his tenderness. His euphoria.

Her hand glides across his chest making his spark beat in calmness. "Sparkling blue…" she mummers. Leaning up, she kisses his covered spark. Pulling back she beams, "There it is, My Jackie's glow. Absolutely beautiful. Primus couldn't even imagine a more perfect color."

Wheeljack beams, making the room completely illuminated by just his lavender helm tips.

"My Jackie…."

"Your Jackie."