Prime Blood Ironbands Chapter 11 (last chapter)

Ironhide tears off across the sea on a modified jet-board. The escape pods remain underwater for most of their journey. Bee heads in a different direction. He knows he saw the pods drifting west. He makes a slower scan of the water. Ironhide is looking for Ocean City signature readings and reaching for his son's bond. Bee is following the ocean currents that head west.

He spots it. The pods are releasing bubbles. They are headed for the island just up ahead. They run on an auto pilot system. As designed, they catch the swiftest ocean current and then after a certain amount of time, redirect towards land. Bee knew this. He helped design them. He knew a human's limitations. Bee sends out his homing beacon hoping Ironhide will contact him. He didn't have to wait long.

"Bee, I don't have time to save your sorry hide!" he growls.

Bee just smiles, "I found them," sending back the co-ordinates.

"Received. Stay with them," is all Ironhide responds. Bee doesn't need his courtesies. He knows he has Ironhide's respect. He proudly covers the pods as they land on the island.

Bee cares for all those humans, but he knows the one that is most vital to a certain commander. He scans the pods as they arrive. Where is #24? He goes back over the pods on the shore. Then he goes back out over the water and scans the top of the pods still coming ashore. He can't find it. He better find it soon, he can see Ironhide's smoke signature.

Then the idea hits him. Autobot signature. He begins scanning the water for a small Autobot energy reading. He criss-crosses his search pattern. Ironhide is getting closer. Just as Ironhide it about to reach Bee, Bee takes a dive into the water.

The pod wasn't going to make it to shore. It had been damaged when the city had shifted off a pylon. He can see a dent in the top. He scoops it up. He can't break the water's surface. Without that other wing he just doesn't have the strength. Ironhide sees Bee struggling to make the surface. He dives deeper and comes under the pod. Together they lift the pod from the water's surface, into the air and carry it to land. They even manage to carefully set it down. Ironhide can't wait, he rips the door off the pod.

"You are too late," Chromia looks up to him. He just stares. He is trying to comprehend her words.

"Too late for what?" he's afraid of her answer.

She parts the emergency blanket to reveal a tiny baby human. "You missed your daughter's birth" The baby cries. He sighs with relief sinking to all fours. His chest is breathing heavily. His son sits beside his mother supporting her.

Ironhide twists his face into a pleased smirk, "And you missed your son's." She smiles up at him and they laugh together. This strange unit is going to redefine the meaning of nuclear family.

Carefully she steps out of the escape pod with the help of the lab assistant. Their son walks behind his mother. Ironhide is shocked to see him walk. Bee is just as surprised. Sparklings shouldn't be walking within hours of hatching. It should be more like … vorns.

Ironhide puts his hands out and picks up his family. He just stares at them. He has his family in his hands. Chromia smiles down at their family, too. "Chromia, we have a family. Us, a family? Can you believe it?"

Chromia snuggles her daughter tightly and looks up to her son, "Primus has been good to us."

Her mate nods, "Yeah, he has. And I don't deserve it." Chromia is about to protest, but he smiles to her, "But you do. And I'm blessed to be by your side." With just a look, he lowers his head. For he know that look, she wants to kiss him.

Bee smiles up at them, "Optimus will want to know their names."

Pulling back from her light touch, Ironhide looks to his son. His son proudly states his designation, "Wrought Iron."

Bee smiles, "As beautiful as your mother, as strong as your father." Ironhide nods in agreement. His son was created when two lives were fused together in a flash. His markings are primary black but with Chromia's brilliant blue streaks.

Then Ironhide looks down at his tiny little daughter. She is a beauty. She was conceived under the moonlight and the stars. She was created in passion.

"Ferrous," Chromia says softly giving her daughter her father's strong name.

"Alloy," he responds with a very deep tender meaning. Chromia smiles. She remembers those nights melding into his body and soul. But here beside them is the results of their combined sparks. Weather it is in duty and honor, they smile at their proud son. Or their tender love for each other, they look at their tiny daughter.

She looks back up to him, "I'm sorry, I can't return to your side. I don't think the change will ever happen. I think the blast transformed me forever. Besides, she needs me."

He smiles tenderly at her, "I know. I think I knew for a long time. It's just as well. The shell sank to the ocean floor." He turns to their son, "I think he needs me now, too."

Wrought Iron steps up, "Do you need me?"

"Absolutely. My spark has longed for you ever since I met your mother, " he smiles. Wroughtiron looks to his mother. Her tears and aggressive nod admits her own need. The family helms all lean in to touch.

Bee comes over and hands Ironhide his shield plate from the pod. "Everyone alright?" Ironhide sets Chromia down and tries to fit the shield back on, nodding too chokes up to actually speak.

"Let me help, Father." Wrought Iron says softly. He sits on his father's shoulder and helps weld the shield back into place from some of the tools from the emergency pod units. Ironhide is very pleased with his small son's work. It works quiet well even if not perfect. His son shrugs, "It should hold until we see Uncle Ratchet." Chromia giggles.

"You might be able to take over Ratchet's command as well," the sire smiles.

Wroughtiron looks up to Ironhide, "Or be a field medic." Ironhide just nods. His son may have a lot of knowledge in his processor already, but it was clear he still had much to learn. Ironhide and Chromia didn't care what their son became as long as it wasn't a Decepticon and helped and protected others.

Bee and Ironhide get pings from Prime. Bee responds /Sir, we found all the pods. Everyone is safe. Including Ferrous and Wroughtiron./

Optimus' smile can be heard in the link, /Good job Bumblebee. I'll let the rescue party know. Let Ironhide know Ratchet is standing by for their first physical. Out./

It was several hours later before they got back to base. But just enough time for Chromia and Ironhide to be congratulated on their son and daughter. (Not many knew they were mates just that each were expecting/incubating.)

Back on the base, repairs begin again. Chromia is now on the active human personnel list, but with her proper name. Commander Chromia Irons. Her daughter is listed as Ferrous Alloy Irons. She has a section of quarters attached to Ironhide's. Chromia's duties are electronics attached to the weapons sector, no surprise, helping with human/bot relations as well.

Optimus, Bumblebee, and Ratchet didn't stay long. Only long enough to get things organized and get a good look at the next generation. First Aide came along side Wheeljack for their medical team. Wrought Iron split his time between them and his sire's sector. He learned the repairs for the weapons. But that only made him more determined and helpful with his own ideas on how to improve human and 'Bot armament. Both teams were quite pleased to have him on board. He earned his Autobot shield quickly, but found it still hard for them to let him to treat him as an individual. Especially his sire.

Now if Wrought Iron was feeling smothered, Ferrous was feeling it worse. As a child it was understandable to watch over a child heavily on a military base. But once she became a young adult, and smarter than many of the academically train specialists, she found it hard to date. Ironhide scowled and frightened many a suitor. Chromia tried to ease him, but he just loved his daughter so much to let her spark get broken.

As another suitor went screaming in terror while the fuming City Commander scowled down at the his teenage daughter, she responded with the same body stance and matching scowl. "Father! You are insufferable!"

His wild bull looks switched off and he lowered himself to his daughter, "I've seen how he treats the other females here. He will break your spark."

Furious she fires back, "Oh like you haven't hurt Mom's before?" Ironhide yanks his head back in horror. She stomps forward, "Yeah, that's right! Mom and I talked about you and her." Thrusting a finger out poking him in the nose, "You knew she was your mate from the first day and yet, you kept your spark from her. You were a fool! I won't make the same mistake."

Ironhide shakes his head, "NO! You can't give your heart away so easily. It could kill you if you make a rash choice of mates."

Ferrous smiles, "Papa, listen very carefully to me." He leans in and she puts a hand on each cheek, "You need to have this talk with 'Iron. He's a bot. It could kill him. I'm human. I learn from pain."

Ironhide closes his eyes, "Sparkling, it may not kill you physically like me, but it could kill you emotionally. I've seen my fair share of human divorces and widowhood. I don't want you to live that life."

Ferrous smiles, "Oh Papa, you don't know about dating. I won't bond this the first boy I meet. But I get to scare them off, no you. Alright?" Ironhide sighs heavily and finally nods. "Good. Now that you spoiled my date, you are taking me for ice cream. So out with it!" He turns his shoulder and she hops on.

~~ Wroughtiron didn't have it much easier. His intelligence out sized his mass. He sat in a slump on the balcony one day watching Ironhide take on Sideswipe and Sunstreaker in a sparring session. Chromia comes in and sees the doors open. Seeing what 'Iron is watching she shutters in desire.

'Iron can't help but smirk a little at that. Even though his mother was a human, her passion for her mate still runs deep. Oh yeah, he had walked in on them accidentally one night. No, he did not want to relive the image of his mother and sire intimately-

"What's wrong, sweetspark," Chromia pats his knee. For once, he was glad his mother interrupted one of his muses. This last one still gives him nightmares.

"Mama, I have my shield personally presented by Prime, and yet I can't get these other Autobot to take me seriously. How am I ever going to get the respect I deserve?"

Chromia chuckles lightly, "Trust me, I understand."

He huffs, "How could you, Commander. And yes I know about being FIC."

She shrugs, "I don't doubt you do. Even Megatron knows. One thing that put a great big target on my spark chamber and he nearly succeeded."

To that, 'Iron nods, he knew that as well. It was a source of pride and shutters to him. Only a handful of bots have ever escaped Shockwave's clutches and lived to tell the tale.

Chromia climbs up on one of the guns on her balcony to be eye to optic level with her son. "'Iron, I was a scared little femme Pit bent on righting an injustice when I showed up at the Autobot training grounds. I saw the mechs sparring and began to wonder if I was in the right place. I only saw one femme. And she was laughing while a huge mech wailed on her in a sparing ring. To my complete shock, when we recruits were lined up, we were introduced to the new Prime. He came out of the ring assisting the pink femme, dripping in expelled coolant. Both of them were heaving in exertion. The pink femme I found out was to be my commander. You know, one that takes on mechs twice her size and laughs about it? That crazy one was going to teach me those moves? I thought I was dead. There was no way I was going to make it."

'Iron's optics go wide in awe of his mother talking of her training how many vorns ago? Chromia leans in and taps his nose, "That crazy femme became my best friend. And the advice she gave us femmes was this: there's only two people's respect you need to gain: Primus and yours. You need to protect your team, don't make them waste time thinking they need to protect you! Save their aft. Call out the incoming. Yank their helms out of harms way. And then smile to yourself for doing a good job. Size, designation, rank, and class mean nothing if you don't do your best and you know you did your best. "

"Who is this femme? I want to meet her." 'Iron's awe for the femme is very apparent.

Chromia smiles and pats him softly, "You can't. She died trying to protect us. That's how I ended up FIC."

'Iron's eyes went wide, "Prime's mate?"

Chromia shakes her head, "Yes, my best friend Elita. And If I can pass on a bit of her into you, then she still lives on. My son, you are doing wonderfully here. You are so smart and you help so many people. Your sister and I are very proud of you even if we can't say so to everyone. And your father, he loves you very much."

'Iron flicks a finger to the sparring down below, "Really? They why does it feel like he treats me like such a sparkling hatchling?"

Chromia chuckles, "Dear, remember, for Cybertronians, you should still be dependant on us for everything. Like a human toddler. You should not be surpassing us in desire to learn every aspect of the base. When is the last time you have had fun?" He huffs. "Ah, well, I think we need to remedy that. I hear Manta is in Florida. Why don't you go see him. I'll ask Powerglide to take you. Casey said he's getting a little antsy too. And he's nearly in the same predicament as well."

'Iron's head straightens up, "Really! No parental escort?"

Chromia sniggers, "I think you have deserved your chance of a sleep over or a going to camp trip as the humans would say. Yeah."

"But Papa-"

Chromia gives 'Iron a wink, "-Is my mate and I know exactly where his hot spots are and he will do exactly what I say."

'Iron's nightmares just flashed back up and he pops his hands over his optics, "OH ick Mama! TMI TMI TMI!" Chromia giggles.

{a few more years pass} Nicholas was a new electrician assigned to the base. Quickly Ferrous caught his eye. But he was wary. It wasn't the mother that concerned him. She actually encouraged him, it was the big black and red 'Bot that seemed to be around every corner that put him on edge. Nicholas and Ferrous had found a quiet spot on the cafeteria roof to get away. It was there that Ferrous got her first kiss. And when she lifted her head, she saw her father. "Slag," her father cocked an eyebrow at her response. Nicholas was surprised to hear her use at 'Bot connotation. But more surprising was the way she broke out of his grasp and headed right up to the big black Autobot commander. Nicholas didn't hear the conversation, but he could see it.

Ferrous went right up to Ironhide, "Father, what are you doing here?'

He leans his elbows on the wall leaning in closer, "Protecting you."

Tenderly she puts a hand on his arm, "Papa, you have to let me go. You can't stand over me all the time. I know Optimus needs you. He ordered you to assist with retrofit of Arctic Base. I'm not going. Take mom and 'Iron, but I won't go. Nick and I have more than our relationship we are working on."

Ironhide held his gaze firmly with his daughter. She was no princess. No she was more like a warrior nerd. Ironhide leaned over and touched his daughter's cheek with one bound finger, "So much like your mother. So determined to be taken seriously on her own merit." Ferrous smiled at the compliment. "Very well. Your mother has released me as well. I can take a hint."

Ferrous clutches her father's finger to her face, "You know I'm proud to be your daughter, right?" He nods. "I hold the shield proudly." He smiles. "I will choose an honorable mate." Ironhide drops his head at the thought of his baby growing up so quickly. "I would be ashamed to face Prime knowing I kept his Weapons Commander from his duty." Ironhide chuckles. Ferrous motions to her father and he leans down, she kisses him on the broad nose and tears up, "But I will miss you dearly."

"And I you, daughter." He places his own kiss on her forehead. Then he lifts his head to Nicholas. "You have chosen well, Lieutenant." Nicholas smiles a bit shocked.

And that was the last time Ferrous ever saw her father. Within a few months of his departure, Nicholas and Ferrous secretly wed. Then when the baby arrived, First Aide let her off for medical leave to Nicholas' sister. It was only a couple weeks after Starlight was born, that the explosion hit the base killing Nicholas. Swiftly Ironhide returned to Ocean City. Investigation into the attack brought back information to a deeper plan.

Stewing in his quarters over the information, Chromia leapt to the desk top. "Ironhide, talk to me." He tried to look away. She moved her hand over her name on his hand, "Mate…" Slowly he turned back.

She knew that look all too well. It was the one that took him to Idaho when Ratchet went MIA. It was the one that took him to New York and Sideswipe's accident. It was the one that had him in deep communication with Prime when he was in Detroit. It was the one that took them back to Cybertron for a "family vacation" that turned into a mission.

He tears his gaze from her and opens a desk drawer. He pulls out a box and lays it on the desk beside her. She moves towards it, but he puts a single finger on it. "Trailblazer and Red Alert will be here in thirty six hours. Red Alter will be taking over. He will take Ratchet's old quarters leaving you and 'Iron these."

Chromia puts a hand on his finger, "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

Ironhide's voice cracks, "Because I have no words to describe how I feel." He pulls his finger back and opens the box. "Don't ask. Just put this on. Ratchet made one for Connie too."

As Chromia strips and puts on the strange black leotard like suit complete with booties and cowl, Ironhide is stripping away his upper armor. She stares at him when she is done. He only hold his hand out to her. Instantly she is in his palm and being carried to the berth. He lays down and strokes a hand to the scar on his under armor where their son was birthed. She reaches out an touches the skin just few feet higher. His spark begins to emerge. It's been eons since she seen it. The radiation was too powerful for her human body to handle. Glancing up to his face, she sees massive amounts of tears streaming down his cheeks unabashed, "Come back to me my love…. Come to me…. Be my One again." With that, he draws his palm filled with his mate into his spark.

One has finally come home. There is no Chromia or Ironhide. There is only their One. All the love they can muster is crashing together like great swirls of watercolors. The royal ruby red and the sparkling blue are doing their dance circling, swirling, twining together. Like a kiss that is supple and soft, the Blue Chromia tastes and captures the Red Ironhide. Red thrusts himself repeatedly into Blue making her burst with star blast tingling and scattering herself all over the walls of their spark.

Red giggles. Blue wickedly strokes, and pinches, teasing. Red writhes and wriggles his trail of color through their spark. She chases him, catches his tail and swipes a lick of blue across him. Red shutters again. She continues to stroke an lick him, until he too explodes into vibrant mass of color on the walls.

And then, Red and Blue just curl twining around each other. Wrapped tightly around each other, they stare out at the decoration they have made on the walls. They latch on to each decorated memory together, because after all, they are One, not two beings.

The first they see is when she first saw his red marked aft. He chuckles back reminding her how enticed he was by watching her fire the massive gun, lean over reload a fellow cadet's and finish her own target to come in first. Blue blushes. Red kisses her.

Red then shows their moments of holding hands beside the oil poll the night before-

"No, I will not remember that feeling right now. It's too close to right now."

Red shoves that departure aside and instead draws back to them taking the vows hastily and their first spark bond. Blue snuggles deeper into Red's warmth and comfort.

In response, Red shows Blue how it felt to carry their son. Blue shows Red how nursing their infant daughter tugs at their spark. Red just sinks into Blue in complete awe asking for that again. Blue obliges.

And so the time passes for Red Ironhide and Blue Chromia to paint the colors of their lives all over the inside of their bond. Paintings of their offspring created in moments of passion and duty to friends.

"Take this with you when you go."

"I'm not going anywhere. You will always remain like you always have. We are one and the same."

"I love you….."

"Ironhide?" The voice cut through softly. "Ironhide?"

It took some time, but Ironhide finally brought his optics on line, "Hm?" It was a bit blurry, but that looked like Red Alter before him.

The security officer nudges Ironhide's shoulder again, "Hey, Ironhide, you okay?" The black mech just nods his head. "I'm really sorry, but Prime has already called. He's got Ratchet inbound. ETA ten minutes. Anything I should know?"

The female human laying in Ironhide's palm presses up against his naked chest give a muffled response, "I'm here Red. I'll help."

Red Alert jumps back, "Chromia?" Red gives Ironhide a sickened look, "Please say that is Chromia, because if it's not, I'm NOT telling her what you have been doing."

Ironhide slumps back laying the other palm over his optics groaning. Chromia on the other hand stretches lankily in her mate's palm and snickers, "Oh I know all about my mate's fetishes." Ironhide moans again. Laying on her back, slides her palms against her mate's and purely seductive manner making the big mech shutter, "And I thoroughly enjoy indulging in them."

Red Alter twitches in a glitch. Ironhide moans again, "Chromia, you aren't helping."

She rolls over, "Says the half dressed mech."

He rolls to his side a pierces her with his narrow blue optics, "Last night wasn't enough for you? You need another round?"

She smirks back, "Oh come on 'Hide. You've got more stamina than that. Surely you're good for one more round. Or did I wear you out?"

Red Alert throws his hands up swiftly heading for the door, "I'm outta here! You can explain to Prime why you weren't ready when he arrives." He almost made it out the door when he hears the couple's last words.

"Chromia, ten thousand more rounds wouldn't be enough. I need…"

"I know, beloved… I know…" And then Red Alert heard a sound he never thought he would ever hear, Ironhide sobbing uncontrollably.

Prime and Ratchet arrive right on time. While Prime made last minute instructions with Red Alter, Ratchet came to the FIC private quarters. He knocked. A mechly grunt, "Enter," retorted. Ratchet knows it wasn't harshly meant directly for him. Still, he entered.

Ratchet felt no better than Ironhide or Chromia looked. So this is what Connie and I looked like. He started to turn away when Chromia called out, "Ratchet, come here please."

Ratchet comes to the berth side and sits on the edge beside Ironhide. Chromia leans over and kisses Ratchet's cheek. "Thanks." Then she looks between the two mechs she has know for far far too long. They all know, there is something wrong with this mission, but it still must be done. "Look after each other, alright? You guys are like siblings. I didn't realize how much until I had my own." The mechs look at each other and finally nod in agreement.Chromia's voice cracks, "I love you both very much. Until All Are One, right?" They are left stunned. All three of them. What can be said? What can be changed? "I'll keep the home fires burning. Take one down for me, will you?" They both numbly nod. She backs towards the door slowly letting her last memory of her mate be beside one of his best friends. Ironhide can't contain his whimper. Ratchet wraps his arm around Ironhide pulling him into his own crushing grip. Chromia runs or she will never let them go.

The two bonded mechs cling to each other. Ratchet's voice shakes, "So this is what Optimus and Inferno faced."

Ironhide clings tighter to Ratchet, "Primus, they are so much stronger than I."

Ratchet give shim an extra squeeze. Neither one wants to let go. And then Ratchet starts chuckling. Now Ironhide has to draw back, "What is so funny?"

"Inferno stronger than you? After the time you threw him over the barrier wall?"

Ironhide can't help but start chuckling. "As I remember, I threw you over that wall as well." Ratchet chuckles in agreement.

A third chuckling enters the room, "And if I remember correctly, "I threw you over that wall as well."

Ratchet smirks, "Yeah, but both of us threw you over the wall."

Optimus smiles, "Yes, you did. And you will get over this wall together as well. I have faith in you both. Be strong, my friends."

Ironhide bows his head in deep respect, "With your support and example, we can do this."

Optimus, "You both have three lives counting on you. I have no doubt in my mind that you will fight with your whole spark to protect them. Just as I have you to protect. Now go. It is time." The three friends stand together and embrace just like the old times.

~~~~ Within days, word came (via Decepticon live feed) to Ocean City while Chromia was on deck. The past attack on Ocean City sent Ratchet and Ironhide's crew to assist with a Decepticon invasion in deep space before they reached Earth and tried again on Jungle City and Dessert Base simultaneously. The intel was false. A trap. The tricked shuttle baring Ironhide, Ratchet, and several others was boarded and all were executed. It had been a ploy to pull the fiercest Autobot fighters away from Earth.

Chromia sank to her knees. The premonitions had been true. She had hoped it all had been a lie. Maybe they were captured instead. Like herself.

She lived with that hope running Ocean City with Red Alert successfully. A beacon to the other bases. Chromia served proudly, full sparked, in her mates stead.

~~ Years later, Supreme Commander Ultra Magnus, brought her Ironhide and Ratchet's shields when the remains of the shuttle had been found. She held Ratchet's shield held for his sons. Ironhide's was secured to Wroughtiron's chest.

After the attack that killed Nicholas, Ferrous gave her daughter to Nicky (Nicholas's sister) to raise and came home to Ocean City determined to carry on the duties of her father and husband. She knew she could do that better than almost anyone else and knew it would saver her daughter's life. The granddaughter of Ironhide would be safer raised undercover. Ferrous made sure Nicky had all she needed, and tried to do her best for her daughter by proudly serving at Chromia's side being the next human commander EMC needed. She was at her mother's side when she died of a long full life. Ferrous made sure her mother's ashes returned to Iacon training grounds where she met Ironhide.

~~~ When news arrived at Ocean City of the new Prime, Rodimus, taking back Iacon, aged Ferrous and firmly established Medic /Engineer Wroughtiron petitioned to be reassigned to their parents' home planet. Approval was granted near instantaneously.

This is not the end. Only a lunching point:

Ferrous lineage continues with Jolt in Prime Blood: Jolt in Time.

Wrought Iron's story can be found in Prime Blood: Iron's World (final editing in progress) He will also show up in several other stories: Flyingfish, Hope's Fire, Rod of Fire.

Ratchet gets his fateful turn (payback) in Heart Wrenched, yes this one is posted!

Not all the above stories are posted yet. Click Author Watch and you will get notice.

Think I am going to work on Swiped Away now and establish who Casey and Wroughtiron's dear friend Manta.

If you want to see a bit about Ultra Magnus, see my One Shots Chapter : Roller.

If you want to see a full contents list of future chapters, see Prime Blood Contents

(many of these I already have posted on my deviant account and am reposting here with better rewrites/ editing. Ironbands went through a massive transformation from DA posting.)

Thoughts, comments, reviews?