Author's note. This was done as a request for EmeraldMoonGreen and follows the plot they outlined. That's why poor Sideswipe is the victim again.
I'm planning a little add-on chapter for Prowl's Mistake for the future.
Contains corporal punishment.
Enjoy and please review.
It seemed amazing that during a truce, Ratchet still seemed to a ridiculous amount of work to do. Patching up bots after that last battle had been expected and with his assistants, he'd dealt with all the wounded, that hadn't really been a problem. Now however, there seemed to be a million issues cropping up from certain medical supplies running out to the continuing malfunction of the vents.
Not only that, but a rather persistent virus had sprung up and was rushing through the ranks. It wasn't dangerous or very difficult to treat but it meant Ratchet had more to do because it did require treatment. In a way, it was lucky it'd happened during the truce and yet the medic still felt rather frustrated by it.
He'd left the med bay for a short while so
His jaw dropped at the sight of his med bay, it was in a complete mess. Tools were strewn all over the floor, oil and other fluids splattered the walls and equipment, data pads had been tossed about and some cabinets had been overturned. It looked like a herd of Dinobots had rampaged through the room, except he knew for a fact they were on a training exercise with Hound.
Something about embracing nature or some slag like that.
"Frag it," snarled Ratchet in consternation, this was going to take forever to sort out.
Who would do such a thing? The Decepticons? It was possible that they might have done this but normally, they wouldn't hide it. There would be a Con symbol and he hadn't heard any kind of alarm. Of course, those little punk cassette had always been able to sneak in but why would they do this? Soundwave wouldn't send them in unless Megatron had decided the truce was over and they would definitely know if Megatron had changed his mind about it.
No, he grimly concluded, a damn Autobot had done this. And whoever it was, they were going to pay.
Furiously, he stamped over to the computer which registered who had gone into the Med Bay. He was only interested in the last Mech to come in, you could not have missed what had happened if you were an innocent bot who'd just wandered in. This type of troublemaking was not going to be tolerated.
"Sideswipe," he growled, optics flashing as the name popped up.
That name was the only thing he was interested in, he was already turning away. He was not going to stand for this, the long war might be over but there was no slagging excuse for this. After everything he'd done, how could Sideswipe do this to him?
These angry thoughts and more keep swirling around in the medic's head, fuelling his fury further. He contacted Teletran One and demanded the red frontliner's location, he was duly given it. So he went storming along until he found where Sideswipe was working. And the red bot's cheerful bot's greeting did not help at all.
"Hey Ratchet, what's up?"
"I'll tell you what's up," Ratchet said furiously, receiving a confused and concerned look from Sideswipe. "My med bay, that's what's up!"
"Huh?" said Sideswipe, utterly bemused.
"I know what you did!" Ratchet declared, pointing a finger right at him. "Did you really think you could get away with it?"
"Ratchet, I've no idea what you're talking about," Sideswipe laughed, a little nervously. Ratchet seemed fragged off about something but he had no idea what about.
"Then let me refresh your memory," Ratchet said sarcastically. "I leave the med bay for barely ten breems and I come back to find it completely wrecked."
"What?" Sideswipe exclaimed in complete shock. "You think I'd do something like that?"
"Don't play the innocent with me," spat the angry red and white medic, blue optics narrowed with fury. "I know you did it and now you're going to pay for it."
To Sideswipe's continued disbelief, his superior marched right over to a desk, grabbed a chair and pulled it free. He then looked back with a glare.
"Get over here," he demanded, gesturing to the chair.
"No," Sideswipe said with clenched fists. "I didn't do this, you can't punish me."
"I said get," the medic ordered, growing angrier by the moment but Sideswipe refused to budge. He was not going to submit to a spanking when he had done nothing wrong. Protesting punishments was something he, his brother and a lot of other bots generally did but they would still more or less go along with what'd they'd been assigned.
This however, was a completely different matter.
"I didn't do it," he repeated, he couldn't believe this was happening. "Look, I don't know who did it but it wasn't me."
Far from being placated by these words, Ratchet just looked even more livid. He made another furious gesture at the chair, however, Sideswipe stood his ground. Apparently, it was the wrong thing to do because suddenly the medic was marching over to him. The young Mech stared before yelping and trying to back away, shocked at what was happening.
"Hey!" he exclaimed as he was grabbed before he started struggling. "Stop it, I'm not getting spanked."
"You are and if you don't stop struggling….," warned Ratchet as he grappled with the other bot.
Sideswipe had no intention of stopping, he was not going to submit. First, he tried to wriggle free but when that didn't work, he tried to throw the medic. However, Ratchet favoured hand to hand combat over using blasters, so it was not easy. Sideswipe might be a frontliner but it was a challenge against a bot who knew Cybertronian anatomy so well.
They continued to grapple until finally, Sideswipe tripped and was brought to the floor. He attempted to crawl away and then run but Ratchet grabbed his ankle and managed to throw himself on him.
"Let me go," he cried as Ratchet's heavy weight pressed down upon him.
The slightly larger white Mech just growled, keeping a tight hold on the struggling bot below him. His temper had not improved during the fight, he was angrier than ever and therefore, was not feeling very merciful.
"Frag it, you little slagger," he growled in frustration, reaching one handed for Sideswipe's aft plating.
"No, you can't!" Sideswipe yelped almost hysterically as Ratchet's skilled fingers quickly detached the plating and threw it away, leaving the bare protoform exposed. "Stop, I didn't do this."
"I'm not listening to your damn excuses," the medic growled, shifting so that he could grip Sideswipe to him while leaning all his weight on the struggling bot. And it left his other hand free. "You're getting a spanking and that's final."
"NO!" his captive hollered before letting out a cry of pain as the palm of the Medic's hand connected harshly with his bare plating.
"You brought this on yourself," Ratchet scolded as he began a serious of hard smacks. "It wouldn't have been bare if you'd submitted."
"But I didn't…..Ow!" Sideswipe yelped as one of his sit spots was hit.
Ratchet was exceedingly tired of the young red bot's constant protests, he received so many complaints when treating patients and he was thoroughly sick of it. Didn't they realise how overworked he and his staff were? How they were constantly running out of supplies and often had to make do with whatever they could scrounge from the humans?
Not to mention how the Decepticons never lost an opportunity to steal any valuable equipment from them. That might not be a problem now but Ratchet still smarted over the losses. He was not going to tolerate his med bay being messed up as some sort of stupid prank.
"Ratchet, stop!" Sideswipe cried, kicking his legs in a vain effort to dislodge the angry medic. "Please…..ow!"
"Stop that," snapped Ratchet, moving one of his legs to pin down Sideswipe's kicking ones. In retaliation, he smacked the sit spots several more times, that always helped to subdue rowdy bots. Sideswipe cried out in pain and would have curled up if not for the weight on him.
Ratchet began again on his aft, whacking it was gusto. His was not like Prowl's even smacks, he just walloped away. On the bare, this was a thoroughly horrible experience. Sideswipe continued to struggle but it was becoming harder. In desperation, he swung a fist and it connected with the older Mech's chin. It had only been a glancing blow and with a grunt, Ratchet gave him an extra hard smack.
"You're lucky I don't have a paddle," he growled, furious with the hit. "If you dare hit me again…"
He didn't say anything else, just continued smacking. Sideswipe's body jerked with each blow, he curled his hands into fists as he unwilling accepted what was happening. But it didn't stop his verbal protests, he refused to say he'd done it. Finally, Ratchet's anger seemed to burn it's self out and the flurry of smacks started to decrease.
"Right," he declared at long last. "That's it."
He stopped the smacking, his hand slightly stinging but he ignored it. That of course was nothing compared to poor Sideswipe's aft which was burning furiously from his spanking. He was limp on the floor as Ratchet pushed himself up slightly.
"Didn't do it," he mumbled as Ratchet reached over for his aft plating.
Ratchet frowned before grumbling under his breath, reaching once more for the plating and then neatly attaching it. Sideswipe winced from the painful contact, even if he felt less vulnerable with it on. The Medic got to his feet, letting out a small groan as some of his joints protested the movement after being on the floor for so long. Despite this, he bent and encouraged Sideswipe to his feet.
"Away with you," he said gruffly, giving him a small push in the direction of the door.
Sideswipe wobbled for a moment, his legs felt rather unsteady but he urged them to take him away from the head medic. He didn't look back, what was the point? Ratchet hadn't listened to him, just shouted and spanked him. So he started to run, no destination in mind, he just wanted to keep going for as long as possible.
Until he crashed headlong into a solid form which in turned caused him to fall right onto his sore aft.
"Ahh!"
A pained whimper escaped his lips as well as a few tears. Unhappily, he tried to get up so he could rub his abused behind but found he couldn't.
"M'sorry," he mumbled to the large bot he'd crashed into.
"It's alright," a deep gentle voice replied and he felt a warm field touch him. "What happened Sideswipe?"
He shook his head, he couldn't speak as a lump seemed to seize up his throat tubing. The young frontliner stared at the floor, unable to look into his leader's optics. But the next moment, he felt himself being lifted up and into the Prime's arms. Resting against the large, warm chest, he felt a brief flash of shame about being carried like a sparkling but it quickly melted away.
He was just too distressed to summon up any energy to protest as the Prime carried him away.
…
"Take a drink," Optimus encouraged as he lent back in his massive chair. If there was a certain luxury he always allowed himself, it was a decent sized chair that was also very comfortable. And according to intel, Megatron felt exactly the same way. It was nice to know that there was at least one thing they had in common.
Sideswipe was on his lap, sipping sadly at a cube of Energon and curled against his chest. Little by little, his throat was loosening up and he was able to say. "Thank you sir."
Optimus nodded before encouraging him to drink more of the warm liquid. He'd ensure it was just hot enough to be soothing and had also added some tasty earth inspired additives. The large Mech wondered if Megatron and his Decepticons knew of these new flavours, they certainly livened up the palate.
"Can you tell me what happened?" he probed gently. Judging by the way his solider had whimpered in pain when landing on the floor, he suspected he'd been given a spanking.
Sideswipe's expression contorted slightly but he managed to say. "Ratchet….spanked me."
"I see," Optimus murmured. "A hard one?"
"On the bare," Sideswipe confirmed miserably. "And I didn't…."
He broke off, unable to continue as the memory hit him full force. His whole body started to tremble but a large hand placed it's self on his back and started to rub. The Prime didn't try to make him continue, he simply offered him another drink of heated Energon. Sideswipe took it before leaning against him, fluid welling up in his optics which were experiencing some slight static.
"Don't force it, take your time," Optimus commanded gently.
"Sir," he whimpered, feeling terrible that he couldn't explain himself.
"There is no hurry," his Prime soothed, his field gently enveloping his distressed Autobot, giving him space to recover while also offering secure comfort.
Sideswipe let it wash over him, trying to regain his inner strength. Little by little, he relaxed and taking a deep in vent, said.
"Ratchet spanked me….for trashing his Med Bay."
He looked up at his masked leader and said earnestly. "But Prime, I didn't do it. He kept saying he had proof that it was me and I'd better submit or he'd give me a harder spanking. He wouldn't listen to me."
Sideswipe suddenly glanced to one side and mumbled.
"I know I tripped Prowl up and acted like it was a joke but I'd never mess up the Med Bay. I'm not stupid and I wouldn't pretend I didn't…."
"Sideswipe," Optimus interrupted gently. "I know you wouldn't do such a thing. Your….tricks can be aggravating at times and I'm afraid often times you do deserve the punishments bestowed on you. But that is no reason for you to be spanked without cause."
The red bot sniffed and asked. "Why wouldn't he listen to me? I kept saying it wasn't me but it just made him mad."
"What exactly happened?" Optimus asked, he wanted all the details before he acted.
"Well, I did visit the Med Bay earlier," Sideswipe admitted. "I just wanted to pick something up and Ratchet kinda lectured me on getting a check-up. I guess I was a little dismissive of it."
Sometimes, the medic could be so grumpy and he didn't take it seriously. Maybe he should be more respectful in future, he just didn't realise how Ratchet could snap.
"Then I left and I didn't come back while he was out," he concluded, optics bright. "I swear it."
"Sideswipe, I believe you but what were you doing during the time the Med Bay was trashed?" Optimus questioned seriously.
"I was with Prowl!" he said immediately, giving him the exact time period. "And I tried to tell Ratchet that but he wouldn't listen."
"He should have," the large truck bot said with an ominous rumble. "If you offered an alibi, it was his duty to call Prowl and confirm your story. I understand his anger at what happened but he was out of line."
"It was….," Sideswipe tried to say, distress very evident in his field and body language. "Painful."
"It's alright Sideswipe," the large Mech soothed, holding him closer. He was not happy but he made a good effort to not allow his anger to leak into his field as it would only distress his young solider.
While he comforted Sideswipe, he pinged his Second and requested that he come to his office. Prowl sent an affirmative back that he was on his way. Once again, Optimus offered some Energon to Sideswipe who drank deeply. It was making him feel better even if he was starting to feel a little full now.
"Enter," Optimus said aloud when his door buzzed.
"Prime, what is…Sideswipe?" the Second in command exclaimed in surprise, seeing the red Mech upon their Prime's knee. His astonishment was further confounded when Sideswipe turned away, hiding his face against Optimus's broad chest. He looked like a child seeking comfort from it's Sire.
Prowl stared at him for a moment before looking straight at Optimus.
"What happened?" he asked quietly, uncomfortably reminded of the last time Sideswipe had looked something like this.
"Ratchet accused him of trashing the Med Bay, to deliberately cause trouble for him," Optimus replied simply.
"When did this happen?" the Praxain asked sharply and when Optimus told him, said instantly. "Sideswipe was with me inquiring about his brother. You'll remember his assignment, Jazz is in charge."
"And keeping things under wraps," Optimus acknowledged with a nod. "So you spent some time assuring Sideswipe of Sunstreaker's continued good health?"
"That is correct," he agreed. "Without compromising the mission, I gave him an overview of Sunstreaker's condition and how he is doing. I assure you, he could not possibly have gone to the Med Bay and created such a mess in so little time."
Optimus nodded, that's what he thought.
"Sideswipe assured Ratchet that he was not the perpetrator but Ratchet did not believe him. He proceeded to give him a bare spanking," he explained grimly to his officer.
"What?" exclaimed Prowl in outrage, his doorwings flaring in angrily. But his reaction caused Sideswipe to whimper and start trembling against Optimus's chest.
Instantly, Prowl's outrage turned to horror as he saw the effect he was having on the young soldier. He lowered his doorwings in a way that indicated he was not being aggressive while his field reached out soothingly. As Optimus's large hand gently rubbed his back, Sideswipe slowly uncurled and turned back to face Prowl with a very distressed face.
"Why wouldn't he listen to me?" the red Mech asked miserably. "I'm not that bad, am I?"
"No, of course not," Prowl said instantly but Sideswipe gave him a rather disbelieving look.
"You punished me," he pointed out and the Praxian stilled for a moment.
"I did," he acknowledged. "And I was wrong. I'm sorry this has happened to you again, it should not be tolerated. Ratchet may have been within his rights to spank the one who caused such a deliberate mess but he most assuredly should have made sure he had the right bot."
A slight hesitation before he continued.
"You know our Prime only….uh disciplined Megatron because of how he's been acting, refusing to listen to reason and badly injuring Ironhide?"
"Yeah, we all know that," Sideswipe mumbled, trying not to think about that scene. It had been frightening, awkward and embarrassing, he couldn't even imagine how the Decepticons felt. Obviously, he felt Megatron had thoroughly deserved it, a very small price to pay for all the havoc he had wrought but still. It was weird to see such a powerful, fearsome Mech be disciplined like that.
"It was a touch unorthodox," Prowl admitted. "Megatron is not under our Prime's authority but he was still treated with due process. Optimus would never had simply grabbed a random Decepticon and started punishing them for no reason."
Sideswipe stared at his superior officer, a sudden image in his processor caused by Prowl's word. Primus, that was a rather scary thought and he quickly shoved it aside.
"I-I know," he mumbled, Sunny would have a fit when he heard about that. "Optimus is better than him."
"Thank you," the Prime in question chuckled and Prowl also smiled.
"Indeed," he said. "Well, while that might have been appropriate, what Ratchet did most certainly wasn't. He was far too angry and needed to be far surer that you were the culprit. It would have been better if he'd called a fellow officer to investigate."
"Yeah," Sideswipe sighed sadly, resting against Optimus.
"I will speak to Ratchet," Prowl now declared. "And find out who really did this."
"I would appreciate that," Optimus rumbled, patting his young bot's back. "And once you've discovered them, I would like a word."
"Of course Prime," his SIC nodded, he wanted a word too. He looked at Sideswipe and said. "We'll sort this out, don't worry."
The young bot smiled at him, his field now calmer. Prowl left to carry out his task and Optimus said.
"Why don't you rest for a while here? There are a couple of things I need to take care of while Prowl looks into this."
"That would be great, thanks Optimus," Sideswipe said gratefully, feeling extremely wiped out about his punishment and emotional upheaval.
The Prime stood up, cradling Sideswipe close and gently placed him on the still warm chair. He gently touched Sideswipe's field with his own, helping the red bot to further relax. Optimus dimmed the lights slightly just before he left, confident that Sideswipe could take a nap in peace.
…..
When Prowl arrived at the Med bay, he found Ratchet morosely clearing up. The Enforcer planned to suggest he get some assistance, once he had sorted the matter of who had caused the mess in the first place. The medic spotted him and grimaced.
"You heard about this?" he asked, making a sweeping gesture of the carnage.
"Yes," Prowl agreed, sidestepping a puddle of goo.
"That little hellion Sideswipe made a right mess," grumbled the medic, picking up another data pad.
"Ratchet, Sideswipe was with me," Prowl stated, wingdoors raised stiffly. "There is no way he could have done what you accused him of doing."
"Well, he did," Ratchet growled, gripping the pad hard.
"And where is your proof?" the former Enforcer demanded.
"The computer stated he was the last one to enter," Ratchet retorted hotly, shoving the data pad into a box.
"I'd like to check that," Prowl immediately said, turning and heading straight for said computer.
"You gotta set it back," the medic reminded him, following him.
"I will, to the time before you discovered what had happened," the Autobot Sic stating, reaching the console and typing in some commands.
"I see," he said as a name flashed up.
"You see his name?" Ratchet said with folded arms.
Prowl stepped back and gestured to the small screen. With a slight huff, Ratchet stepped forward and glanced at it.
"Cliffjumper?" he asked, brow wrinkled in confusion.
"That is the last name before you returned to the Med Bay," Prowl explained quietly while informing Optimus of his findings over the comm.
"I….I don't understand," mumbled Ratchet, rubbing his face in disbelief.
Prowl reached forward and made it scroll back to Sideswipe's name. He also received some instructions from his Prime.
"Did you check he was definitely the last one in?" he asked the heavily frowning medic.
"I….well…no," Ratchet admitted, optics darting to the console and then to the floor.
"Not two cycles ago, Cliffjumper was the reciprocate of a prank," the black and white Mech now revealed. "Perpetrated by Sideswipe. He ensured that Cliffjumper fell into variously paint of a very lurid colour. And then dropped sparkles on him, much to the amusement of several bots."
"Typical Sideswipe," Ratchet muttered, that was one of the red Lamborghini's favourite tricks to play on people. He usually did it as a mild form of revenge or as a way to lighten the mood, if he judged it would work.
"Indeed," Prowl agreed as his fellow officer suddenly burst out. "But messing up my Med Bay? That's slagging insane."
"Unfortunately, his hot headed temper can lead him to actions that are not sensible," the black and white Mech mused thoughtfully. "It's possible he underestimated the spanking you would give Sideswipe."
Ratchet winced but was instantly on the offensive. "The little slagger shouldn't be setting a bot up for any kind of punishment, even if it's a mild spanking. When I get my hands on him…."
Holding up a hand, Prowl said firmly. "Optimus has insisted that he is going to talk to Cliffjumper before any punishment is given. I believe he will want Sideswipe involved as well so I'm afraid he is currently out of bounds."
"Frag it," muttered the medic before his blue optics suddenly brightened. "Primus, I need to find Sideswipe!"
"Ratchet," Prowl cautioned, holding up a hand. "He still doesn't fully understand why you were so fixated on him or who really committed the act he was punished for. I wouldn't advise seeing him right now."
"I have to," Ratchet declared, already moving away. "I can't leave things the way they are."
"Believe me, he isn't going to react well," Prowl warned him, a knowing expression on his serious face.
But Ratchet was barely listening, he was determined to find Sideswipe and fix what he'd inflicted on the young bot. He was angry at being tricked but also very ashamed that he hadn't listened to Sideswipe. Wasn't he always complaining about hot headed bots who rushed into action without thinking and here he'd done exactly that.
He'd already run done a couple of corridors before he realised he wasn't sure where Sideswipe was. Running back over his conversation with Prowl, he recalled that Optimus had been comforting Sideswipe in his office, perhaps he was still there. Of course, he risked running into his Prime who no doubt was extremely displeased with what had occurred but that didn't matter. He was going to say sorry no matter what.
Reaching the door, he wasted no time in entering and found Optimus was not there. To his relief, Sideswipe was there, resting his head in his arms on the desk. He was in Optimus's overlarge chair and appeared to be sleeping.
He looked so innocent and vulnerable.
Guiltily, he thought of how hard he'd been. So he had better check there wasn't any damage to Sideswipe's abused aft. Taking hold of the slightly stirring bot, he started to lift him up so he could reach Sideswipe's behind.
"Hmm?" Sideswipe mumbled blearily as hands touched his very tender. "What….?"
His optics onlined to very familiar white and red armour whose field told him they were the ones touching him.
"Ahh!" he screamed, limbs flailing as he struggled to get away from his tormentor.
"What….Sideswipe?!" yelped Ratchet in surprise, trying to keep hold of him. "Don't struggle, I'm just trying to check your aft."
This did nothing to calm the slightly smaller red Mech, who continued with his efforts to escape, his optics wide and terrified. His body was shaking violently, Ratchet was beginning to think he might be suffering a panic attack. All he could do was hold the young bot close and envelop him in a calming field, trying to make him feel safe. But Sideswipe continued to thrashing and crying out, he seemed to be seized by a mad energy.
"Let me go! Let me go!"
Finally, he became too tired to struggle anymore and went limp in Ratchet's arms. The medic sighed in relief, maybe now they could talk properly. And he could make sure there wasn't any damage.
"I'm sorry for whatever I did, please don't hurt me," he whimpered fearfully as Ratchet stared at him.
"I'm…..I'm not going to hurt you," he said in his gruff voice. "I never meant to hurt you, I just…."
He trailed off. How had he so thoroughly fragged up?
"I'm sorry," he said, feeling incredibly inadequate. "I'm so sorry."
Tears were running down Sideswipe's cheeks so he wiped them away, his spark breaking at the fact he'd caused them. He tried rubbing Sideswipe's back, desperate to chase away that fear. Actually, he still wanted to check he hadn't caused damage earlier but now wasn't the time.
"Don't wanna be spanked again," mumbled the red bot, trembling.
"I ain't gonna spank you," Ratchet said quickly. "I was just checking to make sure I didn't injure you."
Sideswipe was silent, there was still tenseness in his body even though he wasn't struggling anymore. Eventually he asked.
"Why wouldn't you listen?"
"I….," Ratchet stammered but trailed off. How could he put it into words? He had just been so sure that Sideswipe was the culprit, but looking back on it, he'd clearly jumped the gun. He'd seen Sideswipe's name on the computer and had promptly marched off to spank the living daylights out of him. Because….he was angry.
Someone had messed up his med bay and he had wanted that someone to pay. There was no excuse for what he'd done, and he didn't even want to bother rationalising it. Primus, he could feel a headache coming on.
"I was angry," he finally said. "But it doesn't matter because there was no excuse for what I did. I…..basically attacked you, which goes against everything I believe in as a medic and an Autobot. Maybe….with this war coming to an end, it's time for me to take a few steps back."
Still tearful, Sideswipe looked bemused.
"What do you mean?" he asked, frowning as he scrubbed at the tears.
"Well, I think this war's worn me out," Ratchet explained, holding him close. "While it was on, I had to stay in this position, we couldn't afford to lose any able bodied medic. But if we can actually get along, then bots who fled the conflict can return, that'll mean more medics. So an old scrapper like me can retire or…I dunno, train some new ones."
"You're going to retire?" Sideswipe exclaimed in shock. Despite his distressed state, he could not imagine Ratchet doing such a thing. "But you can't!"
"If I'm not capable of controlling myself, then I cannot stay in this position," Ratchet stated sadly. "I need to bow out before I cause more harm."
"I…I don't want to you to leave," Sideswipe stammered. "You're the best we've got, better than the Decepticons even."
"I'd like to think I'm better than those hackjobs," Ratchet said with a trace of humour. "But my point still stands, I've got to take a step back."
"But…..that doesn't mean leaving?" Sideswipe asked earnestly.
"I don't know," sighed the older Mech, his field containing a hint of sadness. "I haven't seen Prime yet, gotta see what he thinks about this. And then the other officers."
"Bots'll go crazy if you leave," Sideswipe protested. "I don't want it to be my fault."
"It won't be your fault," the medic exclaimed. "It's entirely mine, I wronged you, not the other way around. If I do leave, I won't allow anyone to place blame upon you."
"Thanks," Sideswipe mumbled, looking away.
"I….I know now it wasn't you," Ratchet now said awkwardly.
Now Sideswipe looked at him with wide optics.
"You believe I didn't do it?" he gasped.
"Yeah, I believe you," Ratchet replied, feeling ashamed. "It was Cliffjumper who did it, not you."
"Cliffjumper?" Sideswipe repeated. "Why…?"
His optics widened and he groaned.
"Primus, this is because I pranked him."
"Why did you prank him?" Ratchet asked curiously.
"He was being an aft," Sideswipe muttered. "Kept making out he might have a go at a Con if he saw one. And other stupid things like that."
"Right," Ratchet said, wryly thinking that Prowl would probably end up having a word wit Sideswipe about pranks. He certainly wasn't the right one to do that.
"Guess it was a stupid thing to do," Sideswipe sighed, leaning against Ratchet now.
"Eh, he can be a fragger at times," the medic mused, making Sideswipe giggle slightly.
"And he better not try anything funny with the Cons," he added with a growl. "We don't even know if this is truly permanent, I ain't tolerating some addled brained moron screwing it up because he's got a chip on his shoulder."
"Hmm," agreed Sideswipe, he didn't want the peace ruined either. He'd fought enthusiastically but he wanted this peace to remain. Both he and his brother were looking forward to the future and a proper life.
"You feeling better?" Ratchet asked anxiously. Sideswipe's field was calmer but he knew the red bot wouldn't be over it just like that.
"Yeah…..I think so," Sideswipe mumbled awkwardly. "You won't do that again, will you?"
"No, I won't," Ratchet said seriously. "Is your aft okay, do you want me to look at it?"
"I don't think it's damaged," Sideswipe replied, rather embarrassed. "Just really sore."
"I can give you some oil for that," offered Ratchet. "It'll help soothe and numb it."
"Alright," the red Mech mumbled as he still felt very awkward.
Ratchet shifted him so Sideswipe was sitting more comfortably and the two of them relaxed in Optimus's huge chair. They lost track of how long they were there until Ratchet received a ping.
"Ratchet, would you bring Sideswipe to my office?" Prowl requested. "Optimus would like to see you both."
"We'll be right there," the medic responded.
"Come on, Optimus wants to see us," Ratchet said softly, helping Sideswipe up and leading him to the door.
…..
"What's happening?" Sideswipe asked curiously, seeing Cliffjumper look very sullen when they entered
"We've made it very clear how disappointed we are in Cliffjumper," Prowl stated, gesturing for Sideswipe to take a seat opposite the desk. Ratchet moved to stand facing the desk between Sideswipe and Optimus. Prowl remained where he was, slightly to one side of their Prime who leaned forward, hands folded on the table. "Exceedingly disappointed."
"We have decided," Optimus began, giving Cliffjumper a stern look. "That you should be the one to decide Cliffjumper's punishment since he deliberately set you up and you suffered as a result. Whatever you decide, within reason, it will be done."
Sideswipe stared, that was definitely not normal procedure. The red Minibot looked decidedly unhappy about Optimus's pronouncement but there was nothing he could do about it. Even he had enough sense to realise he would not change his Prime's mind and the way Ratchet and Prowl were glaring coldly at him, he'd only make things worse.
"Uh," Sideswipe mumbled as he frowned in thought but thankfully, no one pushed him for a quick answer.
Just what should he say?
"I think," he said slowly as a decision came to him. "He should not be spanked."
There was a pause and then his words sunk in. Cliffjumper's surly expression turned to one of complete shock. Optimus's optics seemed to brighten slightly while Prowl looked rather surprised. Ratchet's reaction was more vocal.
"Seriously?" he exclaimed, looking utterly taken aback. "Why the slag not?"
Sideswipe gave him a sad look and said. "I don't want him going through what I went through."
Ratchet's incredulous expression changed to one of shame and he looked away. Unable to help himself, Sideswipe let his field gently touch the medic's, offering comfort and it was returned.
"And I don't want him to hate me more," Sideswipe added softly. "I want his punishment to be helping in the med bay during his free time for….I dunno, however long you think is appropriate."
"That," Optimus rumbled out. "Is a very mature thing to do. I'm proud of you, Sideswipe."
Sideswipe bit his lip and looked at the floor, his field radiating embarrassment. In human terms, it would have been called a blush. Prowl was smiling in that special way of his, he never outright beamed or grin, just quirked up his lips. Ratchet now looked at Cliffjumper and said.
"You better appreciate what he's done, cause I would have walloped you into next week."
Cliffjumper stared at the head medic before turning back to Sideswipe.
"Thanks," he mumbled, exceedingly awkwardly. He knew perfectly well that Ratchet meant every word, he'd already been mentally preparing himself for the punishment that would be inflicted on him.
"No problem," Sideswipe replied softly before saying lightly. "Guess I'll have to make sure Sunny doesn't have a go at you."
Ratchet smirked at the look on the minibot's face. Sunstreaker was considerably more vindictive than his twin and would be justifiably furious when he learned what had occurred.
"Cliffjumper, in light of Sideswipe's decision, we will work out a work schedule for you," Optimus declared. "And this will include being confined to base for two weeks so you can properly consider your actions. You'll start clearing when Ratchet calls you."
"Yes Prime," the red minibot said quietly, bowing his head.
"You're dismissed," Optimus stated before turning to Sideswipe. "You may go as well, you can take the rest of the day off. Let us know if there's any problems."
"I will sir," Sideswipe said, getting up.
"Come round later," Ratchet said before he could leave. "I'll give you that oil."
"Thanks Ratchet," Sideswipe said with a small smile before leaving with Cliffjumper.
The three Mechs left were silent for a moment before Ratchet mused aloud.
"I can't believe he didn't chose spanking. After all he went through."
"Many would have chosen that," Optimus confirmed. "But I am very impressed with his decision. And I believe this could have far reaching consequences."
Ratchet cocked his head curiously but Prowl had already been thinking it over.
"No one can be upset about the punishment," he now mused. "Messing up the Med Bay is a serious thing, there's no good reason why the perpetrator cannot clear it up. Everyone will accept that. But if Cliffjumper had been spanked, however justified, some of his friends probably would have raised objections."
Ratchet snorted.
"Minibots," he muttered. "Complete herd mentality. That little slagger set Sideswipe up and made a huge mess in my med bay. What is there'd been a damn attack and I couldn't treat anyone properly?"
"That's why you must dissuade Cliffjumper of any notion of pulling such a stunt again," Prowl stated very dryly. "And any others who would copy him."
"Don't worry about that," Ratchet said with a grim smile. "When I'm through with him…."
He didn't need to finish his sentence. They all knew he would make sure the red Minibot had no inclination left to cause any mischief in the Med bay or anywhere close to it.
"Sideswipe mentioned that Cliffjumper is feeling a little twitchy towards the Cons," Ratchet now told them. "There's probably others who feel the same way. I dunno what we can do about it but we can't sit still."
"We cannot," agreed Optimus. "I believe Jazz and perhaps Ironhide would be the best to look into this. In the meantime, I am having a conference call with Megatron later."
"About a face to face meeting?" Prowl asked sharply.
"Yes," Optimus said simply. "If he's agreeable. I do not know if there are any Decepticons who feel like Cliffjumper but I will not break the peace because of a single dissident. And I hope Megatron feels the same way."
"Guess we'll see," mused Ratchet and Optimus nodded.
They would indeed.
Author's note. Hope everyone enjoyed that, I had a great time writing it. Until next time.