Present

Jackson, Nevada-Autobot Base

Optimus was with Soundwave as the spy was explaining how the bug he had placed on Megatron worked. He could activate it with a code that only he knew how to work. Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Wheeljack were patiently waiting for Soundwave to activate it so they could communicate with Starscream and Ratchet. It had been exactly two and a half months since they had been gone. Arcee was very pregnant now, and Optimus was beginning to suspect that she was due very soon.

He was hoping to have Ratchet and Starscream back by that point, but he had to be patient.

Jack, Miko and Raf were watching as well as Soundwave explained the device. Optimus was listening carefully, and nodding at the right parts. Jack knudged Raf, "Arcee doesn't look too well. It looks like she is in pain," Raf looked over at her, and saw that Jack was right. Arcee was having a difficult time staying still, and she had her hand over her stomach paneling. She was also obviously in pain by her facial expressions.

"I think we should make sure she's alright," Miko said, as the baby shower was supposed to be tomorrow. They nodded, and walked off the platform over to Arcee.

Jack placed a hand on her knee joint, "Arcee? Are you ok?" Arcee looked down at him, and forced a smile.

"I'm fine," she said, but it was obvious she wasn't, "The twins are moving a lot today," she said, and Jack looked down at her stomach. His eyes trailed to the clear liquid that was on the floor in front of her.

"Uh, Optimus?" The Prime looked up from his conversation with Soundwave, "I think something's wrong with Arcee," The Autobot leader walked over, and Jack pointed to the liquid. Optimus looked at it, then at Arcee.

"Arcee, how long have you been having pains?"

"A while," she answered, and suddenly she cried out in pain. Jack jumped back, alarmed, "No," she whispered, "No not today."

"What's happening?" Bulkhead asked, walking over.

"I'm going into labor," Arcee said, looking at him, her optics wide with fear.

It seemed at that moment all hell broke loose.

"WHAT?" Bulkhead yelled, rushing over to her, "But...but... it's too early yet! You're not due yet! Ratchet isn't here!"

We don't know how to deliver sparklings! Bumblebee exclaimed in beeps and clicks. Raf, Jack and Miko looked mortified. Wheeljack was standing with open mouth shock. It seemed only Optimus and Soundwave were the calm ones.

Optimus turned to Soundwave, "Activate the bug please," Soundwave nodded, and punched in the code. Optimus walked over to the ground bridge, and saw the sheet of paper with The Nemesis II coordinates on it, "We need a doctor," he said, and turned to everyone.

"Oh no. You don't mean...Knock Out, do you?" Wheeljack asked, "He's..." Another cry of pain came from Arcee and everyone turned to her, alarmed.

"What is the harm in asking?" Optimus asked, as he punched in the coordinates.

"That means... Breakdown will be with hi..." Bulkhead was cut off by the cry of pain, this time shriller and longer. Bulkhead looked at Optimus, "Do what you have to do, but hurry!" Optimus nodded, and activated the ground bridge. He looked over his shoulder and saw Bumblebee telling Arcee to breathe. With a run, he went through the ground bridge.

Knock Out was in his office, buffing his paint job when he saw the bright light in the hall. He stopped, and put the buffer down, "Breakdown? Did you see that?" His partner looked over at him.

"See what?"

"That flash," Knock Out stood up, and grabbed his energon prod. Optimus walked through the door. Breakdown and Knock out took a step back, weapons ready.

"I mean you no harm," Optimus said, holding his hands up to show he had no weapons, "But I'm here to ask for your help," Breakdown chuckled.

"And what does the Great Optimus Prime want with us?" he asked.

"It is Arcee. It seems she has gone into early labor," Knock Out frowned.

"Early labor? That can be dangerous," he said, lowering the prod, "Where is your medic?"

"He is back in time with Starscream still," Knock Out and Breakdown exchanged a glance, "They've been gone two and a half months. Arcee was supposed to have another month and a half left, but I believe it is because of the stress that she has gone into larbor early," Knock Out had placed the prod down on the desk, and was now leaning on it.

"And what makes you think I'd help?" he asked. Optimus walked over to him, and looked him in the optics.

"I know you and Arcee were friends before the war," he said softly, "I'm not asking you as leader of the Autobots, I'm asking you for Arcee's sake. She needs a doctor, or she could loose the twins," Breakdown glanced at Knock Out, and saw the medic was thinking. Knock Out looked up at Optimus.

"Lead the way Prime."

Raf switched on the ground bridge, and Optimus, Knock Out and Breakdown drove through. Immediately Knock Out transformed, and rushed over to Arcee, "Get me a table, some energon, cloths, something to support her helm. Breakdown and Bulkhead, go grab some cloths so we can wipe off the sparklings when they come out. Wheeljack, help me lift Arcee on the table," Wheeljack nodded, and carefully they lifted Arcee up and placed her down. Arcee looked up at Knock Out.

"Thank you," she whispered, as he wheeled her over to Ratchet's station. Optimus walked over to Soundwave, and looked at the screen. They saw what the bug saw, and that was a destroyed part of Crystal City.

"I hope Ratchet and Starscream weren't there," he whispered.

Past

Cybertron-Crystal City

"You're an idiot, you know that?" Ratchet snapped as he roughly bandaged Starscream's wing. The Seeker grimaced in pain. Thundercracker and Skywarp watched them, "You completely ruined the future. I hope you're happy. You're going to lose Arcee, and your sparklings, and be working for the Decepticons again," Starscream glared at him while he finished his wing, "I told you not to do anything that would change the past, and what do you have to do? Play the hero, as usual."

"Don't take your anger out on me," Starscream snapped, as he examined his wing, "You could have easily saved Red Alert," Ratchet looked at him.

"This isn't about saving Red Alert!" he exclaimed, "This is about keeping things the way they were!"

"And were you happy that way Ratchet? Are you happy now, knowing that you could have easily saved her and been happy instead of the glitch you are now?" Starscream snapped. Ratchet narrowed his optics at him, and said nothing.

"The main problem is Megatron is still out there, and he's going to get to Optimus before we do," Ratchet said, after a long silence.

"How do you know I won't end up with Arcee?" Starscream asked, "Starscream could still think they're dead and go find her."

"Wait, we have to pretend we're dead?" Thundercracker asked. Starscream and Ratchet turned to them, "Why did you even save us then?"

"Because," Starscream said, walking over to them, "It was my fault you were offlined in the first place, and the guilt was eating me," Skywarp placed a hand on his shoulder.

"It's not your fault," he said softly, "but if we have to pretend we're dead then we will," He stepped back.

"Maybe we'll meet again in the future," Thundercracker said, "And I hope you get to whoever Optimus is before Megatron," Starscream nodded, and the trine hugged. Starscream closed his optics, and then stepped back. Thundercracker and Skywarp transformed and took off into the sky.

"We need to go to Iacon, and find Optimus," Ratchet said, and they turned around. A small bug was floating in front of them, "What the..." Ratchet muttered, and walked over to it. He tapped it with his finger and the bug began flying around happy.

"Ratchet. Starscream."

"Optimus?"

"Thank Primus you are alive," Starscream walked over.

"I invented that," he muttered, "And told Soundwave to..." He smiled, "Soundwave I owe you big time. I'll get you as much energon as you want," He heard a metallic chuckle from Soundwave. They heard a cry of pain in the background, "What's going on?"

"Are you being attacked?" Ratchet asked, concerned.

"No, that was Arcee."

"Is she ok?" Starscream asked, equally concerned, "Let me talk to her please."

"Bumblebee we need you over here! She's having trouble circulation enough air!" Starscream's optics went wide.

"Why is Knock Out there? What's going on?" They heard a pause, "Prime answer me!" Starscream snarled, smacking the bug. Ratchet grabbed his hand, holding it down.

"Arcee's gone into labor."

Starscream felt his spark stop. Ratchet's optics went wide, "You..you can't be serious! We've only been gone a few days!"

"Ratchet, you have been gone two and a half months," Starscream sunk to the ground. Arcee was in labor, and he wasn't there, "I asked Knock Out and Breakdown to come because I know Arcee and Knock Out were friends before the war, and I figured he would want to help his friend," Ratchet looked down at Starscream.

"Megatron is here," Ratchet said, "We need to stop him from killing you, and we need to do it quickly."

"Ratchet, Starscream. You must hurry. Arcee is having a difficult time right now."

"Has she actually started giving birth?" Starscream asked, finding his voice. He was in shock.

"No, but she is in a lot of pain," Starscream stood up, and looked at Ratchet.

"Please tell me you have a quick way to get to Iacon."

"The quickest way is the outskirts of Crystal City. It will lead you straight to the archives. Please hurry," The bug flew away. Ratchet looked at Starscream.

"How fast can you fly carrying another bot?" Starscream stretched his arms, and turned to Ratchet.

"Fast enough."