Boti: Okay, this is going to be a little weird and frightening. And Prime may be a little weird for you all but just go with it. I like how it turned out. If you don't then oh well. Just don't review.

Disclaimer: If by some weird twist of fate I own, then I'll let you know. But currently, I am poor so that should tell you I don't.

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Chapter Eleven

We both walked, well, Ratchet walked while I sat on his shoulder, into Prime's office. It was weird seeing the Autobot leader behind a desk but it was probably normal for him. Just not for me.

"Dad?"

Prime's head lifted up from the data pad and he stared at me. He looked a little confused as he placed the data pad down.

"Dad?" he said, using the word experimently. Which was amusing to watch as he leaned back in his chair. And yeah, it still feels weird saying that. Prime sitting in a chair? To human for me to comprehend.

"You are my father, aren't you?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll call you dad," I said as Ratchet put me on the desk. I walked up to Prime as he stared at me, giving me his undivided attention. Which is what I like about Prime. He always made time at the more unexpected times for people who needed it. And refused to be distracted by any work that was needed to be done or otherwise.

"What can I do for you?" Prime watched as I pointed toward Ratchet. I quickly told him that Ratchet had something to say and that it was extremely important. Prime's optics quickly focused on him, waiting for the news that was sure to make the leader angry.

"Yes, well," Ratchet's shoulders drooped as he looked at me but I waved my hands in a way that said go ahead. He sighed before looking at Prime, a little fearful. Which had me fidget with anticipation. And not the good kind.

"We...we are bonded," Ratchet paused before adding quietly, "and she didn't know until after."

Crunching metal, unbearable screeching, and running systems was all that was heard. I looked over at Prime, seeing his optics darkening from anger, before glancing at his hand. It was gripping the edge of the desk and I saw that he had crushed the metal effortlessly. Now I understand why Ratchet was afraid.

"You never told her? Ratchet, you know bonding is irreversable. What if she didn't want to? You never gave her that choice," Prime was trying to keep calm as he slowly stood. His hands quickly balled into fists and I was wondering why it was so upsetting. And I had to agree with Ratchet. Angry Prime? Very scary!

"I...it..."

"It's alright," I butted in. Prime looked down at me as I smiled sheepishly at him. I rubbed the back of my neck before continuing, "I don't mind being bonded with him. Though I would have liked to know beforehand. But anyways, is there anything else that needs to be known?"

Prime looked over at Ratchet as the medic stared back. It looked like he was trying to stand up to Prime, which had me immediately concerned. So there was more and it was not going to be liked by me. And probably by the others.

"There is more," Prime finally answered as he sat back down. He continued to watch Ratchet as he explained to me the pluses and minuses of the bond.

One, it was irreversable. Divorce isn't apart of their vocabulary and in this time with humans, that seems unreasonable. But to me, it made sure you married for love and not for gain.

Two, if Ratchet died, so did I. Well, that sucks ass. No second chances for love or anything else. So kids were going to be raised by someone that wasn't their parents. Perfect.

Three, you can't keep secrets from the other or cheat. Which I like a lot. Though, surprises for birthdays and such would be difficult. Or presents? Wonder how you can keep that from being spoiled.

And number four, which had me immediately protest, in order for the bonding to be accepted by the parental unit, as the Autobots call parents, Ratchet would have to prove himself. And in the case of the Primes, that includes battle.

"What? No!" I shouted. Prime shifted his gaze to me and I snapped my mouth shut. Damn twisting of fate. This wasn't right. But I couldn't stop it. It was their culture and knowing the Autobots like I do, they do not like anyone stopping or preventing them from following their customs.

"Outside in an hour," Prime said, picking up his data pad. His optics never wavered from Ratchet's and it was the same the other way around. I kept shifting from one to the other before walking toward Ratchet. But Prime's hand landed in front of me, stopping me from going to him.

"You are to stay here, Hallie."

I nodded as Ratchet gave me one last lingering look before walking away. I pulled myself up to look over Prime's hand, my gut twisting uncomfortably. Without even thinking, I screamed for Ratchet and watched him turn slightly to look at me. Tears were running down my face and my spark pounded in fear. A lump formed in my throat but he had to know.

"Ratchet, I love you," I watched painfully as he turned toward the door but he didn't walk out. After a moment, he looked back with a smile on his face, not really caring that Prime was watching this scene.

"I love you, Hal," and he left. My chest felt tight as I slumped over Prime's hand, feeling strangely defeated. Until a new fury burned through me, causing me to turn around in order to stare daggers at Prime.

"How could you do that, Prime? Why must you do something so drastic? You could have done something else! Not battle!"

Prime watched me for a moment before chuckling, leaning back in his chair again. What the hell was so funny? Did I miss a joke? Or was Prime really that sadistic?

"I have no intention of preventing the relationship or stopping him from being with you," Prime said, putting the data pad away. I stared up at him for a moment before sighing in relief.

"So you are just trying to scare him. That's good. I actually thought you were going to battle him," I forced a laugh but by Prime's face, I was dead wrong.

"I will battle him, Hallie. I won't kill him or seriously injure him. That I promise," he watched as I choked on tears. It was obvious that I was asking why he was going through with this. I mean, I may be his child, but only after the poison changed me. He didn't need to actually go through with this.

"All Primes in existence had done what I plan on doing. We have battled our son in laws in order to show our strength and protectiveness toward our sparklings," Prime sighed, "And to ensure that they are capable of protecting them without worry."

"But you know how Ratchet battles,Prime. And I'm not really your daughter. You never had me!"

"It does not change the DNA proof, Hallie. It must be done."

~WWWWWWWWWW~

It was like death row as I stepped off the elevator. The human one anyways. Everyone was watching me as I walked toward the open area out on the pavement. My head was down like I was being reprimanded but that wasn't the case. If only they knew.

Personally, I hate this. The whole prove-yourself-through-fighting stuff was a bit extreme. It didn't make any sense. What did they have to protect me from? Was there more to my destiny than I knew?

I sighed and lifted my head, not wanting to look like a whupped puppy. But it failed when Mikaela and Sam, who somehow got special permission to visit us for a few weeks, came up to me. They looked extremely concerned.

"Hallie, what's wrong? You look like you're about to die," Sam said, not to worried. Mikaela kicked the back of his leg and I stifled a laugh at Sam's pain. Yeah, I felt like I was going to die. Way to go with the accuracy.

"I'm okay. Just worried about Ratchet," I spoke. After a moment, Ratchet came into view. He was already outside, waiting for Prime. Bumblebee was talking with him and by the look on Bee's face, he knew what was going to happen. Especially when Bee looked in my direction and began to back away from Ratchet.

For some odd reason, I wanted to go wish Ratchet luck. Now what a stupid thing to say to the one you love who is probably going to get his ass kicked. I mean, that is probably the most insensitive thing anyone could say. But hey, I'm like that. PLUS, what can I say to him? This is practically my fault!

"I'll go with you," Mikaela must have seen my worried face and thought Ratch and I had a fight. My proof was when she placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder and I nodded, probably needing all the comfort I could get. But I was unable to go to him because a rather large foot landed in front of me. I looked up to see the owner shaking his head at me.

"But Prime!"

"No, Hallie. You cannot speak with him unless he wins," Prime pointed that painful rule out to me. He had told me of the rules and I hated them. I couldn't speak with Ratchet. I couldn't tell him to watch out if Prime was attacking him from behind. I couldn't even shout out encouraging words for Ratchet. He would have to believe that I am encouraging and rooting for him silently. Or think that I don't want him. Which is absolute bull.

Prime walked away as Mikaela and Sam looked at me. I was on the verge of tears. Geesh, I hardly ever cry. This isn't like me but the mech I love is about to get hurt because I had to let Prime know. I should have kept it a secret.

"What's going on?" Sam asked me as I followed Prime out of the hanger. Neither mech spoke to each other as others began to circle the two. Prime must have sent the message to his fellow Autobots but the humans remained clueless to the situation.

Lennox was one of them because he was briskly walking in our direction, Ironhide tailing close behind. Everything became even more confusing for the major as Prime and Ratchet took battle stances and began to walk in a slow circle, looking for a break in defense. He watched it like it was training but when Prime faked a lunge and Ratchet didn't move, the way it was done told everyone it was not.

When Lennox looked at me, confused as to why Ratchet and Prime were circling each other, it nearly made me cry out the answer. It was obvious to everyone else that they were going to fight but it was a side of Optimus Prime that no one has seen. In fact, it was freaky seeing him like this. And that was the reason why everyone kept looking at me. They thought I knew the answer. And I did.

"Hallie, what is going on?" Lennox finally asked me and I looked away. My eyes caught sight of Ironhide and Casey. She was on his shoulder and she looked at me, that very same question in her eyes. But Ironhide caught on quickly and his head whipped around to see me.

"He bonded with you?" Ironhide asked and Casey stared at me in shock. She must have known what bonding consisted of because she quickly motioned for him to put her down. She ran to me and held me in her arms. I tried to keep the tears in as I looked at Lennox. He needed to know what was going on.

"Sir, Ratchet and I have married in their custom. And in order for Prime to accept the marriage between us, Ratchet must prove himself to Prime," I paused as the idea sunk in. Lennox stared at me in surprise before slowly looking back at the upcoming battle so I didn't need to finish the explanation. It was well known that I was Prime's accidental child.

Soon, Lennox told his men to leave and they scattered. I understood why. He didn't want his men to witness something like this or to get injured by accident. But Lennox stayed with me and I felt a hand on my shoulder. Epps was beside me, giving me some sort of comfort.

"This is hardcore," I heard Sam say as he and Mikaela stayed near Bumblebee. It was then that I noticed that all the Autobots were present. Some had grim expressions and it only fueled my worry.

"I haven't seen a Prime Acceptance Ceremony is nearly a millinia," I glanced over at the Autobot who spoke and noticed that it was Jazz. He glanced down at me for a moment before giving me a supporting smile.

"You've seen one?" I asked.

He nodded before adding, "And I was in one. I had to in order to get with Optimus. And believe me, it's gut wrenching. They are, like Sam said, hardcore."

It was weird hearing Jazz talk seriously but I understood as to why. This was serious stuff. And it was painful as I turned my gaze back to the two. My eyes focused on Ratchet as he kept perfectly still, refusing to circle around Prime anymore. Prime stopped as well, their optics never looking off. They obviously didn't want to get distracted.

And soon, it began...

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Boti: Well, this is interesting. Some of the things I had planned but the whole ceremony thing wasn't. I just thought of it. So freaking COOL! This story is actually a lot longer than what I thought it was going to be. Awesome.

Hope you all liked it. Please review and let me know what you think.