Note*~

WHOOO! Lots of good feedback on the first chapter. ^.^ Thank you everyone. ^^

I'll be on vacation for a week, so I'll be out. I'll have Wi-Fi at my relative's place, so I might sneak online and see you guys. ^.^

Ovah and outtt

XOXO

Nine Months Alone

Chapter Two

No Time For Tears

On the medical berth, Arcee hold still as she was observed through Ratchet's various medical tools. Checking her vitals, her optics, even a sample of her energon blood. Out of all the Autobots who would probably be dead set against her relationship with Knock Out, Ratchet would be at the far end of disagreement. Yet, he was still checking her medical status and didn't immediately refuse to analysis her. Though, she did notice an odd grit of the jaw or a leering stare from his optics.

Bumblebee, the youngest and most understanding was at first surprised and shocked that she and Knock Out were together. But to the Autobot scout, she was like an older sister to him and wouldn't let their familial friendship sour because she was in love.

Disappointment would be the word to describe the look on Bulkhead's face. He loathed Decepticons with every data grain of his spark, and it didn't help that Breakdown was on the list of Arcee's close friends due to her relationship with the now late Decepticon medic. Arcee couldn't help but feel bad as a wall of alienation was soon building up between the two, but she and Knock Out were together... Nothing could undo the knots of time. Hopefully, Miko's flamboyant nature would help bring them back together. Out of all the times she was loud and annoying, this was the best time it would come to good use.

Without the help of Optimus, she doubt she be standing here still an Autobot.

It was a child that was both Autobot and Decepitcon. Optimus said her child was proof that Autobots and Decepticons can coexist together, and the Cybertronian race can come back together sooner in time. She and Knock Out being together wasn't a shameful thing at all. It helped bring Cybertronians back together as one and would help lead on and inspire a brighter future.

She smiled at the thought as she placed a hand over her growing womb. The only untouched alive piece of Knock Out still in the world for her to hold on to... The only solid proof that he wasn't gone. There was going to be another time to mourn for loss. Now was a time for her to focus on the baby growing inside of her and getting back the trust of everyone around her.

She was done trying to regain the trust of her Autobot brethren. Now if only she could face a certain human who stood by her no matter how bad it got around her... If she wasn't careful, she was going to lose him.

"All vitals and statistics seem to be normal..." mused Ratchet as he observed his readings on the computer screen. "And the child is perfectly safe and healthy. The child should be expected at around... what humans call 'April'. For now, don't do anything strenuous, and take it easy from time to time. The war's now over, so you won't do anything reckless. ... I hope."

A small smile left Arcee, trying to avoid all chances of optic contact with Ratchet. "Thank you..."

"I should do a check up again in a few weeks, and this should be monthly," began Ratchet. "Don't forget that."

"I won't. Thanks again, Ratchet. You've been a great help."

Getting up from the berth to quickly walk out of the medic's gaze, she just wanted his daggered glances to stop piercing her every time. She was guilty enough as is for not telling the truth, couldn't anyone understand that this isn't want she intended to happen?

As she was just about to exit through the doors, she felt a hand over her shoulder, and was surprise to find a lighter expression on the old medic's face. This was something... new.

"Stay strong..." a sympathetic smile was soon growing. "Optimus is right. This will bring back the Autobots and Decepticons back together. I may be getting up in my years, but I do hope to see this new generation unseparated and at peace. You did good..."

Arcee could feel her optics growing heavy, and soon both Autobots were in a mild embrace.

"Thank you..." she muttered under her breath.

As soon as she saw the familiar tiny humanoid frame, her insides just about flipped as their eyes and optics locked on to each other. What was she going to do? What was she going to say? He already saw her, so what was the point of walking away now? Even though she toward above her human friend, she never felt so tiny in her life.

"Jack."

"Hey... Arcee."

Stiffness.

The voice no longer resembled it's mundane, laid back tone. This wasn't going to be easy. She almost lost her brothers, which she almost got all of them back. Will her human friend, the only one who understood her and the one who guided her through his home planet still stay by her side after all she did? Just looking at him tore her spark apart.

"So, I suppose Optimus told you everything?" She'd say anything to break the silence.

"I overheard while Bulkhead and Miko were talking," began the human youth. "He's still sore on the whole thing, though."

A chuckle left the blue Autobot. "Like that's nothing new." The smile then soon died. "Are you still... sore on the whole thing? Mad at... me?"

Jack took in a deep breath. She was completely in for it.

"Honestly, Arcee... I'm pissed."

Yeah... She totally deserved it.

"I've known you. I've known you for all this time. We've endured dangers that would have almost gotten us killed. I trusted you with all I had, gave you my life, literally. And now here you are telling me that you're with a Decepticon... I just don't know what to say."

A flowing tear from the corner of her optic slid down her cheek, and she breathed just so more wouldn't flow out of her eyes.

"I'm sorry, alright. I'm sorry...!" she could hear herself rasp. "It was selfish of me, stupid even! Even I thought it would get myself killed at one point or another and I didn't even knew what to do half of the time. But I loved him. I could have called it off, telling him that we couldn't see each other anymore, but I couldn't put it down... I don't know why I couldn't just tell him that we couldn't see each other anymore, but he loved me back. And that's what kept me going. He loved all of me, and I just couldn't help myself... Now I'm carrying his child, and it's the only thing alive that's his. All this made me lie to Optimus, to everyone around me, to you... I just couldn't tell anyone. I'm so sorry...! I'm so... so sorry...!"

Once she looked back at the human youth, the look on his face turned from an angry one to a look of guilt, even sympathy. Was he also... ashamed of what she became? She really did lost him.

"So, this is it then," she managed to say through a flow of tears. "You're just going to walk out now? ... Am I going to lose you?"

After a long moment of silence, she could see Jack biting his lip and soon running to an arm, wrapping himself around the limb. For a moment, she swore that she heard a sob coming out of his person.

"... No. You won't. Never in a million years."