"So . . . did you come back?" asked Bulkhead with wide optics getting very interested in the story.

"Of course I did!" spat Ratchet. "What kind of a gentlemech would I be? Now where was I?"

"Uh, the part where Arcee kissed you on the cheek," said Prowl.

"Oh . . . right," said Ratchet blushing just a bit. "Now . . . like I was saying, I went back 'cause what kind of a gentlemech would I be leaving her waiting out there alone in that maze for me?"


Ratchet returned the following night to the maze and the exact same spot there he gasped lightly surprised to see Arcee was standing there actually waiting for him. She turned at the sound of his light gasp and once she had she smiled at him a kind smile and her optics sparkled at him like the stars above. Some would say she was in love with him if she knew what that was.

"Hello . . . Ratchet," she said so softly and tenderly.

"Hello . . . Arcee," sighed Ratchet coming closer to her.

She just looked at him for a while causing him to smile. Once he had she did the same only baring her teeth. Ratchet enjoyed watching her smile even if she didn't know why or when to do so. She looked up and then at him and so asked-

"So what shall we do tonight Ratchet? Tell stories, play games, make out?"

That last one caught him off guard and so he let out a couple of coughs at that. He thought she had learned her lesson from last night, but he guessed not.

"How 'bout we just talk," said Ratchet taking her hand and walking over to a bench to sit down.

"Okay," she shrugged and she willfully followed.

As they sat down Ratchet looked down at her small hand in his. He took his other hand and sadly placed it on his own above hers. She noticed it, but didn't notice the sadness till she looked into his optics that were cast down. She was very concerned for him and wished he would perk up, but feared he never would.

"Ratchet what is it? Please tell me," said Arcee trying to look him in the optics.

Ratchet's optics slowly came to her and he sighed a heavy sigh as he let go of her hand. He turned away from her and bowed his head. How could he speak to her without bringing up the past? He didn't want her to forget all over again, but he wanted her to remember. He wanted to revive her again.

If he only knew how then he'd do it. He do anything to bring her back. Just like on the battle field if anyone fell and he tried to revive them. Whatever it'd take he'd do.

"I can't Arcee, they told me not to," said Ratchet with a heavy spark.

"Fine, then tell me about yourself," said Arcee being optimistic. "I don't want you to be downtrodden with grief so please enlighten me on you. Did I know you before?"

"Yes, you did, but let's not dwell on the past," said Ratchet giving off a smile that seemed to make Arcee shine with happiness. "Let's make it like we just met. Hi . . . the name's Ratchet."

"Ratchet," said Arcee with a smile looking up. "I like that name."

She then looked down at him with happiness and held out her hand and said-

"Hello, I'm Arcee."

"Nice to meet you ma'am," said Ratchet with a smile.

And so they played a little game Arcee quite enjoyed. They told each other about themselves Arcee not taking that long to do so. She enjoyed Ratchet telling her about himself and loved it because it was like they had just met even though she knew they had met before. They spoke all night the staff not minding it or telling her it was time for recharge.

Perhaps it wasn't such a good thing that she didn't go in for a recharge for she ended up falling asleep on Ratchet's shoulder as the morning came up. Ratchet had noticed this and so smiled lightly. He took her in his arms and walked back to the facility where the staff awaited his return with their paitent.

"Here, she needs a good recharge," said Ratchet handing her to the transformers.

"You know she's happier when you're here," they said taking her to her room.

"Really?" asked Ratchet with a smile.

"She waits for the night now," they said turning a corner.

Ratchet couldn't help but smile. He left that day and had gotten an unexpected visit from Ultra Magnus how seemed to have been looking for him. Ultra Magnus just warned him about not visiting Arcee and Ratchet understood. He now had to be more careful when meeting with her, but was surprised Preceptor hadn't told him . . . heh, the mech wasn't such a bad guy anyways.

The next night Ratchet returned and met Arcee in the same spot. Her smile became brighter and brighter each time he came to see her. It was like he was her little secret no one knew about. Like some teen 'bot.

It was cute to think about seeing how they were just a couple years past that stage and probably never got a chance to experience what being a teen 'bot was like. Ratchet knew he hadn't for he had to go straight into medic school after protoform school. He never really got to be a sparkling. The great war called for everyone to grow up fast.

He probably knew Arcee was the same way. It was better she didn't remember though and just kept her optics on the future and happiness. Primus knows this planet needs it. The great war never let much happiness in at those times.

Ultra Magnus noticed Ratchet's upward mood and thought the therapy was comng along smoothly. It wouldn't be long now before he sent him back to war and this Ratchet had to remember.


"Well Ultra Magnus seems to be seeing progress in your mental recovery," said Preceptor leaning back and looking at the ceiling.

"Well that's good," said Ratchet folding his hands together.

"Yes . . . it won't be long now before you're shipped off again," said Preceptor looking at him knowing it would stir emotion.

"Yea I kno--wait what?" said Ratchet listening more closely now.

"Your time is about up for recovery Ratchet. Just like all soldiers you will be returning to war. I heard they need more medics lately," said Preceptor.

"But . . . but what about Arcee?" asked Ratchet holding his arms out. "She needs me."

"She needs no one," said Preceptor. "She is healing on her own, speaking on her own, walking on her own. All you are to her is company."

"But she-" started Ratchet, but halted as Preceptor perked his head towards the medic.

"She what Ratchet?" asked Preceptor waiting for the response.

Ratchet bowed his head and sighed-

"We've been meeting every night and she enjoys it. We've been playing a game where like it's just we first met. We've gotten so far and-"

"I see," said Preceptor sitting up right. "She loves you, is that what you were going to say?"

"Well," sighed Ratchet fiddling with his fingers. "I don't think she quite understands it yet and how long it should actually take to fall."

"And you Ratchet, do you love her?" asked Preceptor narrowing his optics.

"No I couldn't possibly, it's too soon," said Ratchet.

"But do you?" asked Preceptor again.

"I . . . I don't know to be honest," said Ratchet. "It's like we're a bunch of teen 'bots just young and stupid."

"I see," said Preceptor leaning back. "So you know if you do fall for her you will have to part with her as war calls for, and she could very well fall in love with another young mech possibly breaking your spark."

"I understand, but she's more like a sister to me than a femmefriend with benefits," chuckled Ratchet a little uneasy wondering if he was so sure about what he said.

"That status will change if you keep seeing her you know. It's up to you where to draw the line," said Preceptor jotting more things down. "Good luck in finding a way though."

"Yea . . . right," sighed Ratchet bowing his head.

The next night when Ratchet came to her his spark was heavy. His months were almost up and he had to leave her. It was best, but he didn't know how she'd take it if ever he told her. This was his last month and he hadn't the spark to tell her.

"Hello Dr. Ratchet," she smiled so giddy.

Ratchet perked his head up and only looked at her with heavy optics. He sighed and he shuffled over to her slowly. She didn't seem bothered by his downess only happy on what was to come.

"Do you know what I planed today?" she asked.

"What is that?" asked Ratchet.

"A picnic!" she smiled. "I thought it would be nice.

"How knd of your Arcee," said Ratchet with a light smile.

And so they ate out under the stars and Ratchet only worsened the more happier she got with his presence. She spoke about many things that happened to her earlier that day and the new people she met and how they acted around her whether they were mean or kind. Ratchet couldn't stand to see her sad, but he knew it had to be said.

"Ar-Arcee," he coughed out.

"Yes, what is it Ratchet?" she asked looking at him with bright optics.

"There's . . . there's something . . . I need to tell you," he said bowing his head.

"Really, what is it?!" she asked sitting up right in excitement wondering what is it he wanted to tell her.

"I can't . . . I mean . . . we can't . . . see each other any more," he said his spark sinking knowing her's just did.

"W-what?" she asked with her mouth agap and spark beating so fast it hurt. "Why?"

"I'm a medic 'bot for the army. My months of recovery are about over," he said casting his optics down.

"What do you mean?!" she asked her voice getting clogged up from sadness.

"What I mean is Arcee I won't be coming back next month," said Ratchet looking at her in the optics.

"N-no!" she cried. "Isn't there another way? Can't you ask for more leave?!"

"I didn't ask for this leave in the first place Arcee," said Ratchet sitting up straight. "I was forced to. To be honest I wanted nothing to do with you."

"Why?" she asked crying inside so heavily. "What have I done to upset you? Please tell me so I can make it right and have you stay!"

"I can't I told you that," said Ratchet. "Something happened to me that they forced me to take leave."

"What was it?" she asked placing her hand on his arm wanting to know.

Ratchet sighed heavily and looked down as he said-

"I was sent to rescue an intelligence officer and bring them back to safety. I was ambushed and they . . . they were lost. I never forgave myself for it and still can't . . . unless they could forgive me."

"I'm sure they could," said Arcee cuping his hands in hers. "Please don't leave me."

"My commander needs me out there, my friends need me out there," said Ratchet.

"NO!!" cried Arcee jumping to her feet sadness plain on her face. "Can't you see I NEED you?!"

She took her small hand and touched her spark as her optics narrowed in sadness.

"I . . . I love you Ratchet can't you see, can't you tell?!" she cried.

"Arcee please," said Ratchet trying to get her to calm down and stop before she hurt them both.

"NO!!" she cried almost screeching. "Since you first told me your name I knew you were important to me and now you just want to leave me?!"

"I have to," said Ratchet.

"Do you not love me?!" she cried. "These nights that we share together . . . are they nothing to you?"

"Arcee you're more like my sister," said Ratchet getting up and looking at her.

"Look me in the optics and say that!" she said so serious as she came up but inches away from his face just scanning his optics for emotion.

"I . . . I can't," said Ratchet looking away.

"Then please," said Arcee grabbing his hand with hers. "Stay with me. You don't know how broken I was when I first came here and then when I met you I just knew you were the one to fix me again."

"Arcee please don't say that," said Ratchet his emotions getting the best of him.

"Why when you know it's true?" asked Arcee sadness overwhelming her to where she can't speak.

She then backed away from him and covered her mouth as emotions flowed over her. She then turned and ran from him crying to where her spark hurt. Ratchet had half a mind to run after her, but knew he'd have to patch her up all over again now that he broke her spark. He can't, not now when he was soon to leave.

Ratchet bowed his head and knew only one thing . . . he had to right his wrong.


"I've lied to you Magnus, I've been seeing Arcee behind your back and I want you to know you can punish me but I'll ever regret it," said Ratchet admitting it.

"I see," said Ultra Magnus shaking his head. "Thank you for telling me this, but I heard from the staff there what happened to Arcee."

"Look sir I didn't mean to . . . I had to tell her," said Ratchet.

"I know you did," said Ultra Magnus. "But don't you see why I didn't want you to see her? She's been damaged and only time could heal her. You might have well broken her again. Now if I wasn't concerned for your own spark I'd tell you to go fix her again, but I am."

"If you order it sir . . . I will do it," said Ratchet.

Ultra Magnus just pondered this and knew Ratchet had to go back the next month to war, but he also knew Arcee was recovering very well with him near. She loved the young medic, the poor thing, and she knew well enough he was going to be the only one. How could he send him back to the war only to get killed and have to tell her only to have her break again? It was his decision now and Ratchet was waiting.