Prime Blood Saga: Ironbands Chapter 8
Coming out of her flashback of that horrible day when lovers were separated by duty and war, Chromia could feel the heaviness settling in her spark-heart again. She looked over to Optimus in the command room concentrating on delicate information discussing with Mirage. Optimus' other core commanders were pretty spread out. Jazz was deep undercover. Prowl was trying to quell Jungle Base construction. Jetfire had taken off like a shot. And Ironhide was not in a position to lead the Autobots. Optimus was baring a lot of weight right now. He needed his base commanders back. Chromia knew he needed to get back to his own life.
On top of that, Chromia understood all too well, that sometimes the duty out weighed the personal relationships. Except in her case, her offspring's life and Ironhide's out weighed her staying by his side. The mech could be so hard headed with his profoundly devoted spark. It would take a lot to get through to him to choose their offspring over her. They never thought they would ever have one and now that they did, Ironhide was struggling with weather to stay by his mate or by his offspring. Chromia knew she had to push him. She was going to have to be the commander and make the hard choices. But it was going to hurt them both. She only hoped Ironhide would pour all the love he used to have for her into their sparkling, and not hold back. The sparking would be in safe hands with a mentor like Ironhide, there was no doubt to that. He would never hurt an innocent. Steeling herself, she prepared for her move.
Optimus looked up from his station for a moment catching her own blue optics. She gave him a weak smile, then dropped her head a slumped out of the room. He called out softly, "Chromia?" She shook her head and kept walking. There was no way she could tell Optimus she knew how he felt letting Elita slip from his grasp that horrifying day. The door closed behind her.
~~ Later in the current day, Ironhide comes to Chromia's work station. He lays a tender hand on her shoulder, "Do you have plans for dinner?" She pretends she is deep in thought and doesn't hear him.
He leans in and whispers, "Chromia, food." His voice is so sweet and so tender in her ear. Her spark is already beginning to break. She closes her eyes. She has to be strong again. His touch is so tender on her shoulder. She swallows hard and then keeps her eyes locked on the screen.
"I can't. Ratchet needs this information. He already has an experiment in process. This is time sensitive," she lies.
"Should I bring you something?" he tries again.
"You know Ratchet's rule about food in the lab."
"I don't care about his rules. I care about your health." She doesn't dare move. If she turns, she will never have the spark to do what she has to tomorrow.
"I'll get something later. Don't wait up for me." She manages to keep her voice in check.
He waits a moment then moves back slightly, "Are you alright?"
Her words come out fighting, "I'm trying to save your life! Yes, I'm fine. Now, please let me work. Leave me alone!" She manages to bark.
He takes a bigger step back at her harsh attitude with wide eyes. Several people look up from their research too look over at the commotion at her station. Ironhide doesn't like the way they are looking at them. He steps back and turns out the door without another word. He is very confused. And hurt. He rubs his chest, what is this burning pang in his chest. It feels like his spark is being rend in two.
Chromia hides in the lab until she is sure Ironhide has bedded down for the night. Ratchet watches her leave. He is very concerned for her spirit. She is strong, but no one is strong enough for what she is going to do in the morning. Very rarely has he seen mates fight to the point of wanting their bond to break.
Sure Ironhide and Chromia have had their share of fussings and squabbles. What pair hasn't? But with all they have one through, it was over stupid and petty stuff that normally left Ironhide bringing Chromia an Energon sweet and a very tender kiss to her temple. This time, it was going to be ugly. Ratchet prayed and prayed that another solution would come to him, but Primus was being silent this time. Ratchet sighed heavily watching the human wife slink down the hall to their secret spot.
{flashback} Years after the Ark's departure, there had been a brief trip back to Cybertron where the mechs had teamed up with their femmes to deflect Starscream and his team. That was funny to see Starscream take a dive so ungracefully. Especially after his "girlfriend" crack.
Returning to Rock Bottom, Chromia was not bashful in showing her affection to Ironhide. Nor was he afraid to show his. Far from it. Curling his arms around Chromia in a very intimate way, Ironhide made sure Optimus gave them a tiny bit of R&R. Prime started to argue, but instantly stopped. Everyone saw Optimus' faceplates flush, his optics go dark with lust and a moan of desire emit. Glancing over at smug Elita, the sparkmate had just overridden the Supreme Commander a his core. Or should we say cord? Faster than greased lightning, Elita was whisked off her feet and taken to her quarters. Clattering of armor could be heard being thrown off. Everyone else just laughed.
And then one by one, the couples departed to their own private time. That night, Chromia and Ironhide finally let all the armor plating fall. Chromia was panting with passion at his tender delicate touches. But she shouldn't have been so surprised after watching his body tumble and curl gracefully in battle earlier today. But this time his body was tumbling and curling around hers. No one paid any attention to the other room's sounds of love making. Each couple was too wrapped up in their own.
Ironhide didn't wait for the berth. Chromia didn't care. He didn't wait for all the armor to fall. She didn't care. It took all he had to keep his spark chamber closed tight, she didn't mind. He was in her arms and saying he loved her. That's all she did care.
~~ All the couples had a hard time releasing the men back to duty two days later. They all knew it had to be done. They had their jobs to do to ensure the survival of their race. It was part of the attraction: Honor, duty. No one would hinder the other from doing it, even if it meant sacrificing the relationship. Chromia nearly cried for Optimus and Elita watching his palm slip from hers, again. Their last touch. Elita sacrificed so much for duty, and Optimus so much more as leader, guardian, mentor… {end flashback}
Slowly making her way down the hall she mused over those following days of conversations inside Rock Bottom. Together the femmes all cried, grieved and supported each other. "Sacrificing the relationship to ensure the survival of their race," Elita had tried to sound so strong. And Chromia would do just the same.
As Chromia made her way to the roof tonight where they have made their camp, she wants to feel that comfort and tenderness one last time, and then sleep in his arms. Sure enough, he is asleep. She watches him sleep for over an hour just stoking his face. Until she hears a noise. Looking over she sees Optimus. He calls her over by just the look on his face dropping. She silently comes to him. "Are you sure you want to do this?" he asks her. He can see she is not doing well. She wraps her arms around her chest beginning to shake. She is trying so hard to be strong, but failing miserably.
"What choices do we have? I think I can handle him being alive and at your side better than him dead at my side. Humans and Autobots have worked side by side for years. This shouldn't be anything new." She tries to sound confident.
He tilts his head to the side, he's not convinced by her words. She reaches up and touches his chest. He parts it so she can touch the pod. Feeling movement beneath her hand, she wipes a tear away.
Then she looks up at him. "Even if this wasn't mine, could you let this pod fail? Wouldn't you do everything to bring about a new life?" He lays a finger on her hand. Optimus could always say a million things with no words actually spoken. She asks him this time, "Are you okay with this?"
"I don't mind carrying the pod," he states. She looks back up at him. He knows that isn't what she meant either. He gives her a tender smile, "It will be alright. Yes, I understand. I know how hardheaded he is. I hoped there would be another way. There may still be a way to bring you around too."
"That would be good. I hope he will forgive me and then take me back." She returns the smile.
"He will forgive you as soon as he figures it out. Human or Autobot. Now go to him." He pulls back letting her hand slip from his chest, closing the panel. Without another word he is gone leaving her to return to her mate.
Chromia lays beside him stroking his face ever so tenderly. "I love you very much, Ironhide. Please forgive me. I did it for us, for our sparkling. I will always love you. I gave you my spark and I hold yours tightly. Without it, I would never survive this." In his sleep he reaches for her. She savors these last moments in his arms. Every touch. Every taste. Ever bit of his essence. Every last moment.
By dawn she is gone. He awakens alone. He doesn't know if he dreamed last night or if it was real. His brain seems to be failing more and more lately and he doesn't like the way he feels. Fading, he knows it.. Something has to be done soon. Carefully he goes to the lab. She isn't there. But he does see Wheeljack and Ratchet carefully cutting away a piece of blue and silver metal while Jolt pulls it from the black and silver mass. They don't know Ironhide is there.
"Wheeljack, a little more to the right. No, leave that servo. Cut the other one. She can do without one, but he can't survive without two. Ironhide is our main concern, right now." Ratchet is ordering with the skill of a master surgeon. Ironhide feels his spark freeze in his chest.
"Does she know how bad the damage is?" Jolt asks.
"She doesn't know there is anything left. We believe it's a total loss. I'm going to try saving as much as possible. But we won't sacrifice Ironhide in the process." Ratchet grumbles trying to get a tool into place. "Ouch! Hey, that was me, you idiot!"
Wheeljack grimaces, "Sorry sir."
Ratchet recovers and softly tries again, "I know, I know. Come on, team. We don't have much time. He doesn't have much time left either. We only have time to save one, and it's going to be Ironhide, obviously." The team nods solemnly. "Jolt, prepare the proton charger."
"Are you sure?" Jolt asks. Ratchet gives him a look that reminds him who is in charge. "Yes, sir," he apologizes sheepishly. Jolt comes back with a new device and carefully points it into the wedge Wheeljack and Ratchet have opened.
"Now!" Ratchet orders. Jolt pulls the trigger. A large piece of blue metal goes shooting across the lab shattering against the wall falling in a bunch of smaller parts.
Ratchet looks up satisfied, "There!" He stops suddenly when he sees Ironhide's horrified face. Ironhide doesn't move. He can't speak. Ratchet approaches him. Ironhide backs away swiftly. He walks silently out of the lab shaking his head.
Ratchets words ringing in his ear, "Only time to save one. Ironhide, obviously."
He blindly makes his way to the cafeteria, head swimming with misery. His premonitions are coming true crushing his spark-heart. When he enters the room he numbly picks up a tray. Blindly he puts food on the tray. He may loose Chromia. For good. Right before his eyes. "Not again," he nearly cries out. His head begins to swim with those nightmares all over again.
{flashback} Overwhelmed, he remembers the time an emergency message came in from Rock Bottom. Chromia was lucky enough to catch Ironhide first. "Elita's dead." Was all she managed to get out before Prime walked into Ark's Control Room. Ironhide and Ratchet didn't have time to clear the room of other personnel before Prime activated the communication console. Prime was smiling, "Elita, how are things?"
But Chromia's countenance let him know instantly, Elita wouldn't be handling this communication. His face also dropped to a grave countenance. "Chromia, what has happened?"
Chromia is choking not just for him but for herself as well. "Shockwave found us coming back from an intel raid. Elita… Elita went decoy so we could… I'm sorry sir."
Prime clenches his fists tightly fearing the numbing in his spark is now real. And then barks, "Are you sure?"
Chromia doesn't want to do it this way, but she knows it's the only way. "We went back a couple days later when the 'Cons cleared the area." She changes the screen. It is now looking into a casket. Elita is clearly dead in the dull grey color. But worse than that is the pounding and fatal wounds she sustained. There was no question, not even Prime could have lived through that kind of bombardment. Optimus swiftly turns around paling feeling the need to purge. His steps are uneven as he strides away. The door doesn't open quick enough and so he puts a round through it, taking out large chunks of the surrounding wall housing.
Ironhide looks between now sobbing Chromia and furious Optimus. Chromia nods to Ironhide to got to Optimus. Even she saw it. Optimus drew his sword and even though his head was forward, his sword was back, "Leave me be." He makes everyone know, he is not to be bothered. He needed to digest the of his mate and incubating sparkling's death alone. And he disappears to his quarters.
Ironhide turns back to Chromia, "Are you alright?"
Chromia nods, "I'll be fine. We are safe. We'll be okay. Take care of him. You have the intel. The threat has been held off for now."
By the next morning, Optimus was back as commander, a bit more quiet but with one clear order, no one was to speak Elita's name in his presence. That night, Ironhide tried to get Optimus to talk in the privacy of his own quarters. He dared to break the rule and ended up with another scar on his face from his best friend's fist. Optimus sank his head in shame and sobs at what he had done. Ironhide on the other hand, reaches out to his friend, "That's what I needed to see, Orion. I needed to see you grieve."
Optimus lets Ironhide embrace him. He lets his tears fall, "I loved her so much. Yet I never to her enough…"
Ironhide only clutches his friend tighter, "She knew. She felt you. She lived for you. You still bare her spark." Even Ironhide's own tears fall for his love for Elita. The way she cared and carried his best friend in ways Ironhide could never. Yes even he loved her and everything she was to Optimus and himself.
Optimus doesn't cry for long though. War has no time for grieving. And the 'Cons leave even less time. Within hours, the friends stand and brush off their emotions and head out into battle. {end flashback}
The laugher from a table causes Ironhide to turn back to the present. As if Ratchet's conversation wasn't painful enough, he is rocked to the core by what he sees now. Chromia is very out going: flirting? She is sitting on a table telling a secret joke, leaning over very provocatively. The shirt she is wearing is not conservative. It is a military tank-top obviously two sizes too small showing her very buxom bosom. Then she lets out the punch line to her joke. The men oh and awe at such an unlady-like joke. She sits back letting it clearly be noticed, she is more than just a tease. She's ready to set fire to these men's fantasies.
Horror of horror flashes through his head. On a short stop over in the Lushun System he had heard some dirty talk in a bar about a sparkling blue femme Shockwave had in his tower as his private concubine. And the tales these mech were telling would make a whore proud. When one asked what her name was, Ironhide ended up being band from the quadrant for six vorns, the Autobot had to replace the bar (the whole building!) and Ratchet had to drug Ironhide profusely to get him back to the shuttle. He thought he had heard Perceptor and Ratchet whispering about Chromia's time in capture, but he was sure it was in reference to the rumor. What he was seeing now, made those rumors look like fact. Could it be that turning human had caused a PTS episode?
Ironhide strides up to her swiftly and concerned, "Commander, what are you doing?"
She looks up at him and wiry smiles, "Oh hello, Commander Irons. Just having a little fun. Want to join us?" Then she leans in with a mix meaning, "All of us?"
He is shocked. His Chromia was NOT into THAT! And certainly NOT him! "You are not yourself. Lets go."
She stands up and faces him directly, putting on a face of anger. She points a finger at his chest, "I know exactly who I am." Her face drops a notch, "I don't think you know me."
He is shocked, What was that supposed to mean? He grabs her arm to drag her away. The other men jump up. They certainly won't stand for an officer forcing a lady around. But she knows Ironhide all too well. She is out of his grip in one move. He goes to grab her again. She lays him out flat on the floor in three moves. He stands up carefully, rubbing his lower chin, carefully keeping his distance to his clearly crazed mate.
"Chrom… Chris. We need to talk," he tries again softly.
"I'm done talking to you," she shoves him in the chest. Then turns a sultry smile towards the men that should be reserved for her mate, "Besides, you interrupted our conversation." She turns fully back to the table.
He turns to the table as well, "Excuse us. I need to talk to my…" he hunts for the human word, "my wife." The table grows perfectly silent and uncomfortable. The whole room does. Chromia and Ironhide step away from everyone else.
This is the moment she knew would come. She had to be strong. She couldn't crumble. She took silent deep breath. She had to lock her eyes with him. She had to pretend with all her might that she meant these next words.
"I used you. I wanted the rank. I got it." She clutches her fists to her sides to keep herself from throwing herself into his arms and begging for forgiveness. The men at the table start to gasp.
"What?" the words hiss out of his mouth. His eyes turn narrow and warning.
"I'm not a traitor to the cause, don't worry about that. My loyalty there is true. I wanted to be with the command team. I wanted to be among the elite. And I knew the way in was the SIC." She let those words pierce his spark. "I wanted to be in command of my own destiny. Your friends were fools and let me come along side them with you." She puts on her best wicked smile and a twist of her very seductive hips, "I seduced you with my body. I seduced them with you. Now I have the command I want. They can't take it away without admitting what fools they were. Besides, I'm damn good. They know it, now. So do you. You can't run this base with out me. All you commanders know it." She turns back to the table, "So boys, wanna go to my quarters? I'll show you a few things I learned while in captivity." Some of the men are scared. Some are intrigued.
Ironhide belts out, "Until all are one, Chromia!" He throws their vows at her.
She doesn't turn around, he doesn't see her soothing the raised tattoo on her ring finger. But he heard the waiver in her strained voice, "I release you of your bondage, Commander." She tries to make it sound like her marriage to him had been just as tortuous as her captivity with Shockwave. She continues down the hall alone.
Ironhide is crushed. He is shaking so bad that he can't barely think. He has no idea how he made his way back to Ratchet's lab, either. His heart feels like it just split in two. His head is pounding with memories. He lost her. He's lost her again. Did he ever really have her back? Who was she? Did she really play him all these years?
He finds himself in a strange corridor completely disoriented. Sinking into a corner clutching his chest tightly against the memories that flood over him like a wave of acid.
{flashback} It was only a matter of months after Elita's death that the team made another strike run. Their strike was to distract the 'Cons so the Autobots could hit the real target. Ironhide saw the girls target implode around them, but he had to stay focused or the whole mission would be a loss. And then they had to keep radio silence.
This time though, Chromia wasn't killed. She was captured. Mindwipe had taken her into his lab and used her for his experiments, so it was relayed back to the Autobots.
Even Chromia was amazed how strong she was. But Shockwave and Mindwipe decided to use tainted Energon to pry information out of her. He let it known to the Autobots on Cybertron that he had captured Chromia. Megatron was thrilled to relay the message to Earth. Ironhide had been out when the message came through Teletran I. Optimus was waiting for Ironhide when he got back from patrol. He carefully directed Ironhide to the side and told him, "Chromia has been captured by Shockwave and Mindwipe."
Ironhide was firm, "And?" Optimus silence meant there was much more. "Slag it Prime, what?"
Optimus puts both hands on his shoulders, "She's in a secured area. Moonracer and Alpha Trion have no idea where. Shockwave is using her. We may have to…" Even Optimus can't finish the sentence. Ironhide growls and throws Optimus' hands off his shoulders. He storms off to his quarters. Optimus thought that was the end of it. But that night, everyone came out to the main area when Ironhide, drunk, was tearing the place apart. Ratchet finally had to EMP stun him. It took Jolt assisting with another series of EMP blasts to bring him down. Then Optimus ordered him shackled to his quarters while the current team finished a mission. When he returned, it was Optimus' turn to embraced Ironhide while he cried and beat the scrap out of his bunk.
It took nearly a year before Ultra Magnus found her. Shockwave or Mindwipe had dumped her back at the ruins of Elita's murder sight. He had left her to die a slow death in a psychotic hell. Neither Optimus or Ultra Magnus told Ironhide. She was so messed up mentally that there was no way they could let Ironhide see her. She was someone that no Autobot mate would recognize. She was acting more like a pleasure-bot. It took a long time for her to come around and realize she was safe, and drop the ploy. Once Preceptor did his own assessment along with Ratchet and Wheeljack's surgery, they had Optimus bring Ironhide to Cybertron.
As soon as the door opened, Ironhide rushed into the room. Chromia was sitting in a chair going over a data pad. Ironhide dropped to his knees before her and buried his head in her lap sobbing like a sparkling, "I'm so sorry. I never should have left you behind. Forgive me, forgive me… please my love forgive me."
She ever so softly soothes he head, "Ironhide, I would have hated you if you sacrificed the mission for me. You would have too if any Autobots had been killed over one us." He shakes his head. So she turns his head to face her, "I won't stay here alone. From now on, we go together. That I am clear about."
He rises and cups her face too locking his optics to hers, but his voice calls to another as an order, "Prime."
Optimus comes to the couple holding the others back with a hand. Once Ironhide is sure Optimus is close enough he orders again, "I won't make the same mistake again," he glances up to his dear friend. Then turns back to Chromia, "She is my mate and we are assigned together. That is my order." Then glances back to Optimus daring him to say any differently.
Optimus turns to Chromia, "Only if she agrees."
Chromia keeps her gaze on Ironhide, "He just got lucky enough to say it first." Ironhide launches himself at her and kisses her warmly.
Optimus laughs and turns to the others. "Clear the room. Ratchet, stay."
Chromia breaks the kiss, "I need to warn you, Ironhide. I had to play a part keep my head above their tricks. I had to be a 'Bot you've never seen before. So if we run into any of his…"
"Just don't ever lie to me." Ironhide strokes her cheek tenderly.
She smiles, "I would not use you. I would have nothing to gain."
Optimus looks back and smiles at the couple cuddled together in warmth and tenderness. For as devastated Ironhide had looked when they landed, it looked like his spark was soaring now.
"Chromia, I'm ready to give you my spark." He parts his chest letting the glow show.
She smiles sweetly touching it lightly, "It's about frag'n time."
Optimus chuckles. Then with ever so reverently cuts the ceremony to the most important words, "I Optimus Prime hereby record into the Autobot Records that Ironhide and Chromia are authorized bonded mates." To which, Ratchet and Optimus turn their backs while Chromia, still seated, opens her chest letting her spark reach out and capture Ironhide's, kneeling before her. When the flash dissipates, the newly bonded mates are still locked in their kiss. Optimus chuckles, "Ironhide, take her to your quarters. Don't interface here in the med bay."
Ironhide pulls back and smirks to Chromia, "Yeah, he's a fine one to talk." Chromia and Ratchet chuckle knowing about Elita and the inhibitor induced seduction of Prime in the med bay. Chromia leans her head into Ironhide's shoulder, raising her optics to Ratchet, "Would you give me Ironhide's glyph?" She holds out her left hand.
Ratchet removes his engraver from subspace and does as she asks in red with black trim. After he is done, Ironhide holds up his left hand, her name was already there. Her optics open wide. He explains sheepishly, "I had him do it while I was confined to quarters when you went missing."
Ratchet smiles tenderly to her stroking her face, "Mechs do the craziest things when over energized."
Ironhide, new to this bond lets her feel the truth of the situation. She can feel all the grief that tore through him, the tirade he caused the base, but holds back on the EMP jolts he received. She does feel all his sorrow and the plead he begged from Ratchet so he would never forget the beauty of Chromia's name.
Chromia leans back and cups Ironhide's face with both palms, "You are mine."
Ironhide nods, "I am yours."
Ratchet stands up and steps back, "Clear my bay!" Ironhide lifts her to his arms. They don't make more than three steps down the hall when a very reluctant Prime orders them to the shuttle. An emergency has arisen and the team needs to head back to Earth. The newly bound couple will just have to get used to the new link en route. The facial expressions showed they were having quite a good time with the new link even if physically they couldn't join just yet. {end flashback}
And like acid, the burn subsided. Ironhide cleared his head and stood up. He had to find Optimus. He had to get this straightened out. It couldn't all just end this way after everything. No…. could it? But what other reason could Chromia have for pushing him away unless it was he truth? Traitorship was the only thing that DID may sense.
Ironhide staggers into the lab where Ratchet and Jolt are working on what is left of his shell. Optimus is talking to them quietly until he turns to the door opening.
It looks like Ironhide has crashed. No, crushed. Badly. Optimus can see that Chromia has broken the news. It is now Ironhide's move. He sums up his commander energy and barks a clear forceful order, "Get her in here now, Optimus Prime!"
Optimus takes a deep breath and steels himself. Here comes the war between mates and he loves this couple. He hits the com, "Commander Chris. To the north lab STAT."
Ironhide turns and strides to Ratchet and his team ordering them. "Get that carcass ready." They stare at him, "That's an order!"
Ratchet comes near Ironhide, "Are you sure? I haven't finished the repairs."
Chromia enters the lab. She sees Ironhide and gives him am amused glare. Ironhide looks up at Optimus full of hurt and anger, "She used us all. She only wanted a command position. I bet she's behind the sabotage aimed at you She lied to me for years. I bet she is a spy for Shockwave as well."
Optimus stares down at her. She smirks back, " Shockwave, na! I had a lot of time to think when I had been left behind on the base with the rest of the femmes. More than enough time to think. I won't be a fool any more. I'm in charge of my own destiny. I loved every moment of being Rock Bottom's FIC. And no one will push me around anymore. I won't hesitate to kill Shockwave. But I'll do the pushing to my destiny."
Ironhide turns back to Optimus, "Arrest her. Toss her into the brig. The last thing we can handle right now is insubordination. Dissention in the ranks. A tart of disruption on this base. Let alone a saboteur and traitor."
Optimus pokes his head out the door, "Sergeant! Brawn! Escort Commander Chris to the brig. Hold her there until further notice."
"Charge, sir?" Brawn asks. He can see Ironhide's got his fists clenched to his side. He looks between Ironhide and Optimus. Something must be up to have this human piss off both Optimus Prime and a human.
Optimus says clearly, "Just hold her. I'll come later to press charges." The sergeant takes her arm and leads her away. She doesn't look back. She can't. It takes everything she has to hold this façade.
Ironhide is still fuming. He turns to roar at Ratchet, "I want my body back! How long?"
Ratchet actually shivers at Ironhide's pure rage at his mate, "I need a couple more hours."
Without another word, Ironhide storms out of the room. He heads up to the roof to clear his head. He finds the box of fudge. With all his might he throws it off the roof top. Then he looks over to the bed he shared to intimately with Chromia. His gut nearly retches clutching the wall for support. Someone just has to leave the radio blaring down below on the human cafeteria patio. The song plays on:
I remember years ago someone told me I should take caution when it comes to love
I did
You were strong I was not. I was careless, you were not. My illusions were shattered.
All is done There is nothing left to say
Tell them I happy. Tell them what I hoped would be impossible
Falling in and out of love is hard, falling for trust is worse
broken trust and broken hearts, I know
Thinking all you need it there, building faith on hope and faith
empty promises were made
Are you done with embarrassing me? Tell them all I know
Shout it from the roof tops. Write it on the skylight
All the stars were open All we had is gone now
I remember years ago someone told me I should take caution when it comes to love
I did
Tell them I was happy and my heart was broken
Tell them all I hoped would be is
Impossible, Impossible, impossible
Each word is like a stab to his chest. He grips his chest in physical pain. And then he physically retches. He sees the blue streak on the ground that came from his body. He crumbles into a pit of sobs and sinks to his knees. Retching again, this time tainted with human blood. He was dieing, physically and emotionally. What kind of a commanding warrior was he? He hopes no one finds him right now. He is falling apart. He is grateful when he feels the blackness take him over.
Stars have come out. How long has he been out? It doesn't really matter any more. He knows who he is now. He knows what has to be done. He has nothing left to loose. He has everything to gain. He can get back what he does know. Destroying Decepticons. He feels sorry for the first Decepticon he finds. Things will not bode well for it.
Ironhide pulls himself upright, turns and faces the roof exit. He doesn't look back to where he had lost all control. He doesn't look back to the place where he last made love to her.
Instead, he returns to Ratchet's lab in full calm command mode. Back straight, head erect, unshielded blue glowing eyes completely focused on task, and arms ready to take anyone on. He hits the com button, "Prime, I need you in the lab, please."
Optimus responds, "Ironhide, what is it?"
"Get her in here. I'm ready."
"Are you sure you want her present?" Optimus warns.
With an amused smile on his face, "Oh yes. I want her to see this. Success or failer, she will witness the end of this life we shared."
There is a concerned silence. Optimus finally speaks, "Five minutes. Out."
Ironhide looks to Ratchet angered, "Aren't you prepared, yet?"
"Just give me a moment." Ratchet goes over and hooks up another piece to the shell hanging on a frame. Wheeljack finishes prying the chest apart in preparation. There are still blue streaks of metal on it.
"I'll paint that over myself," Ironhide grumbles and punches it with his bare fist and continues to look over the shell very carefully. He seems pleased by the new and improved form.
Optimus comes in with Brawn and the human sergeant escorting Chromia. Ironhide turns at the sound of the door. He braces his arms behind his back to keep from hitting her. She still carries that air of arrogance and spite normally reserved for cocky Decepticons before she offlines them. He comes closer to face her. Optimus just stands back and witnesses this. Ironhide walks around her, inspecting her.
"Enjoy that body. Use it well. As for me, I can't wait to get the fire back under my armor. Nothing penetrates it… and lives." It was a warning that he will not let her effect his duty. He turns his back on her and gets into position before his true self.
Optimus touches his own chest feeling the pod flutter. Chromia looks up at the pod. She has to choose her words carefully. "I can take care of that pod." she smirks ruefully crossing her arms. She has to, her hands are shaking violently.
Ironhide whirls around and points a finger at Optimus, "Don't you dare let her touch it! I don't want her poison near my offspring."
Chromia's heart lurches in glee, it worked! He will make sure the offspring is his and will survive.
Jolt tells Ratchet, "We're ready."
Ironhide doesn't even look back at her as he takes a run towards the shell. Optimus crosses his fingers. Chromia lets her façade fall. The tears stream down her face as she watches him leap and curl into a flash of blue. The momentum keeps the ball moving straight into the chest.
The black shell's head jerks back and growls loudly. He yanks his arms free of the supporting frame. Curling his arms up and begins to inspect his body, lighting up his cannons. He is very pleased. He sighs happily.
"How do you feel, Ironhide?" Ratchet asks.
He growls, "Just fine. It feels so good to get my own body back." He taps his weapons display. They hum fully charged. He checks them all.
"Any problems?" Wheeljack looks over the computer readouts.
"Just one." He turns a menacing eye towards Chromia and lights a cannon on her.
Optimus quiet puts a hand up, "Wait."
She is now silently sobbing. But with a smile on her face. This isn't the arrogant smile she had earlier. This is a smile of love. This is a smile of peace. She holds her hands up to Optimus. Ironhide is very confused. Optimus opens his chest and pulls out the pod. He lays it in her hands.
Ironhide gasps in sickening horror, "What are you doing?"
She cradles the pod securely. She caresses it. She whispers softly to it, "Go to your sire, my son. Take care of him. Comfort him. Take my love with you, little one." She embraces it tightly and then kisses it motherly, "I love you so much my sparkling." She looks up to her mate. Tears are streaming down her face. He drops his cannoned arm He is so confused. His knees buckle. He drops in front of her. She played him?
She reaches the pod up to him, "Please forgive me." She pushes the pod into his palm, "I had only one thing to gain." He understand the meaning to her words with a heavy spark. Without another word, she walks away from him. The door parts and she runs right out of the lab. She doesn't see him push the pod into his chest with a gasp as their love overwhelms all his systems. Bee wipes tears from his face. He knows Chromia just sacrificed her Autobot life for the pod and her mate. Optimus leaves the room silently slightly shaking himself.. Ratchet and his team rush around Ironhide taking readings and probing him. Ironhide is left processing everything that has happened in the last twenty-four hours. He is left with more questions than answers. Most of all, how could he let her fool him into believing she ever stopped loving him. They were ONE, no matter what.
"Ratchet, am I a fool?" Ironhide turns to his friend.
Ratchet cups Ironhide's chin making it look like he was inspecting his optics when really he was making him look directly at his friend, "You were blinded by love. You stayed true. You never stopped loving her." Ironhide can't move so closes his optics. Ratchet continues, "And you knew deep down in your core, she would never betray you."
Ironhide now nods, "Because my spark would never reside in any place other than in hers."
Ratchet touches Ironhide's chest taking a reading for the pod, "And your sparkling. He seems to be gaining strength very quickly."
Ironhide nods, and sends through his establishing bond with the little one. His voice cracks, "Because he is as strong as his creator." Ratchet clamps a palm behind Ironhide's neck pulling him into a mechly embrace. Wheeljack and Jolt silently clear the room. Ironhide lets out a soft sob clutching Ratchet back.
Been a while, I know. But lots going on at the kids' school and Magnitude is pulling at me while I know I need to finish off Precieved. And I finally found Iron's World. If you want to know about Chromia's capture see Infernal Fire or Prime's Bloodline.