IMPORTANT AUTHOR'S NOTE! PLEASE READ!
Due to the recent uproar concerning sexually explicit material on the site, this story has been edited from it's original state to conform to FFnet's ToS. I hate doing this, but I like keeping my stories here. The full, unedited version of this story, as well as those I cannot post here at all, will be available shortly on my Y-Gallery account (Takashidaimao, same as on here). Those who do not have a Y-Gallery account or do not have access to the site, feel free to drop me a PM and I'll see what I can do for you. I will fix this up a little better later, so please forgive the sloppy chop job for now. If by some miracle the petitions change the site owner's mind, I will put all the good bits back in. But, until then, this is what you get for now so I don't get banned.
Also, those who have read/favorited/reviewed my oneshot "I Wanna Hear You Scream" I greatly appreciate your support, but I will be taking the story down shortly as there is no way to edit it to conform to the ToS and still have a viable story. A copy has already been posted to my Y-Gallery.
Breakdown was pacing back and forth in front of the door that lead to Knock Out's personal wash racks. Tensions were high this morning. Megatron had told the two of them to be ready to leave the ship in less than an hour, and for the doctor to be ready for a medical examination. They'd spent the last two weeks interfacing as often as physically possible, but so far with no luck. The large mech froze when he heard the door open, looking up instantly as the sports car walked back into the room. "So? Did it work this time?" Breakdown asked hesitantly, almost afraid of the answer. Knock Out vented a sigh, shaking his helm. He made his way past his mate, plopping onto his berth on his back. "I just don't get it!" the doctor groaned out, running his servos down his faceplates. "How in the Pit did Starscream manage to conceive a sparkling by accident in just one go, yet we can't even get one if we try non-stop?"
Breakdown flinched slightly at that. He was starting to worry that M.E.C.H. might have damaged more than just his gestation chamber… "Well, we still have enough time to give it one more try if you want." He offered as he sat down on the edge of the berth next to his partner. Knock Out sat up, wrapping his arms around himself and resting his helm against Breakdown's shoulder. "It wouldn't make a difference… Even if it worked this time, the baby's spark wouldn't emerge from my own for at least another day or two… We'd still be just as screwed…"
Breakdown vented a sigh, wrapping an arm around his mate. "Well… Maybe it won't be that bad? I mean, if the doctor's here already, he must not have been that far away from this system to begin with. Maybe he won't be that mad since he didn't have to go all that far?" he offered, giving the sports car a reassuring smile. Knock Out raised a brow ridge. "How does that stop Megatron from killing us?" he asked, causing Breakdown to curse under his breath. He'd forgotten about that… "We could always go back to the 'I'll take the blame for it' plan…" he replied with a small groan. He was definitely not looking forward to that at all… Then, he felt his mate's servo brush over his cheek, turning his helm to look down at the Aston Martin. Knock Out gave him a smile. "I'm not letting you take the blame all by yourself, babe. If you go down, I'll go with you."
"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you, love?" Starscream asked, a worried look on his face. Megatron let out a chuckle, caressing the Seeker's helm in his servo. "I'm sure. I'm more than capable of taking care of myself, and I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if anything happened to you. I would feel much better if you remained here." He replied before leaning down, placing a soft kiss on his mate's lips. Before Starscream could argue further, the door to the shuttle docks opened. All he saw at first was Breakdown, but as the big mech made his way forward the Seeker soon caught sight of the sports car cowering behind his back. When his partner stopped unexpectedly, Knock Out slammed into his back, letting out a surprised squeak as he fell back onto the floor.
"A-ah! Sorry!" Breakdown apologized quickly, kneeling down to help his mate up. Knock Out glanced past his partner's helm, catching optics with Megatron as he stared down at him with a look of mild concern. The Aston Martin let out a small whimper. He didn't want to do this! "I feel like I'm gonna purge…" he whined out as Breakdown pulled him up to his pedes. "That's a nice touch, but I don't think faking it is gonna help us right now…" the blue mech whispered low enough that the other two couldn't hear him. Knock Out growled, but didn't want to risk starting an argument right now.
"We'll be heading out whenever the two of you are ready." Megatron informed, folding his arms over his chestplates. Knock Out vented a sigh. Well, he could either stall a few minutes by puking his tanks out or he could just bite the bullet and get it over with. If he was going to be killed either way, he'd rather not have a bad taste in his mouth when he died. "I'm ready… Let's just go…" he mumbled out. Megatron nodded, activating his com link. "Soundwave, have them open the ground bridge." He ordered. There was a longer than usual delay before the swirling vortex of energy opened up in the shuttle bay.
The second they stepped through the ground bridge Knock Out's optics widened. He found himself standing in an old human military facility that seemed to have been altered for Cybertronian use, Bumblebee and Bulkhead both aiming their blasters at the group of Decepticons. The doctor let out a shriek, darting behind his mate's back. The Autobot's base? Why in the Pit did Megatron bring them to the Autobot's base? He clamped a servo over his mouth, feeling like he was really going to puke this time. The feeling only worsened when he saw Optimus approach the group, motioning for his men to stand down.
"Megatron, I am pleased to see that you are interested in discussing a truce." The Prime began, a small smile showing itself through his normally serious demeanor. Megatron resisted the strong urge to bark back at him. "I've more pressing matters to deal with than playing war games with you, Prime." he retorted as smoothly as he could. Optimus nodded in understanding before his optics drifted towards Knock Out. "Ratchet is prepared to examine your medic while we discuss the terms." the truck replied, motioning towards Ratchet's lab. The sports car froze. Wait, the Autobot medic? That's who Megatron had in mind? Oh Primus, he didn't seriously arrange all this because of him, did he?
Breakdown rested a servo against his mate's arm, trying his best to silently reassure him as he led him towards the med lab. Knock Out was on the verge of a full blown panic attack. He hadn't had much contact with Ratchet, but he knew him by reputation. He couldn't begin to imagine the scrap storm that would erupt when the old medic discovered he wasn't really carrying! Would he tell Megatron? Oh, who was he kidding? Of course he would! He'd probably have both the Autobots and Decepticons after him!
"Knock Out?"
The sports car let out a shriek when he heard his name called, immediately clinging to his mate. Ratchet raised a brow plate, folding his arms across his chestplates. "A little nervous?" he asked somewhat sarcastically. Knock Out gave a whimper, looking back up at Breakdown with a pleading look in his optics. The large mech gave him a reassuring smile before nodding his helm towards the medberth. The sports car let out a small groan, reluctantly making his way over to lie down on the berth.
Ratchet remained silent as he prepared to examine the Decepticon medic. He knew better than to make too many negative comments now that Megatron was finally ready to talk peace. The tiniest thing was likely to set the warlord off, not the smallest of which being the possible complaints from his expectant Chief Medical Officer. "Alright, you should know the drill. Open up." The old medic ordered, causing his patient to flinch slightly. "R-right now?" Knock Out asked in a futile attempt to buy time. "Yes, now." Ratchet grumbled out impatiently. The Aston Martin vented a sigh. Well, no point in trying to stall any longer. He felt Breakdown give his servo a small squeeze. At least he wasn't alone. Knock Out took a deep intake, steeling himself as he snapped his optics shut and let his chestplates split open.
"Ah. It's a bit smaller than I expected. Have you been taking in enough energon?" Ratchet asked nonchalantly. Knock Out's optics popped open as wide as they could get. "Wh-what?" he shouted, sitting straight up. He looked down into his open spark chamber, letting out a gasp. Hiding away behind his spark, barely visible beyond its bright glow, was a second tiny blue spark. That wasn't there when he'd checked that morning! The sports car laughed weakly, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. It must have emerged just in the last hour, if that. Suddenly, he collapsed back against the medberth with a loud bang, his optics flickering offline.
Optimus lead Megatron out of the main room of the base to an area he'd previously prepared for their talks. He thought it best to keep it private. The Prime hoped that taking the warlord away from prying optics and audio sensors would help him be a little more honest about what he wanted, and what he was willing to offer. The two sat down across from each other at the Cybertronian sized table. Megatron eyed the door warily, but said nothing. Optimus gave the Decepticon Lord a small smile. "I take it Starscream is doing well?" he asked in an attempt to start conversation. Megatron immediately let out a vicious growl, baring his jagged denta as if to warn the Prime to not speak of his mate in such a casual manner. Optimus remained calm, staring unflinchingly back at the silver mech. Eventually, Megatron settled himself down.
"I did not come all this way to engage in small talk, Prime!" he growled out. Optimus gave a small nod, folding his arms loosely over his chestplates. "Very well… May I first ask what finally changed your mind about this war?" he asked. Megatron gave another low growl, his optics darting away from the Autobot leader's steady gaze. "I have not strayed from my cause, if that is what you're suggesting. The old ways-" "No longer exist." Optimus interrupted smoothly. The warlord vented a sigh. That sounded oddly familiar. "Yes… I know…"
"Megatron, you know I opposed the old government just as fiercely as you. Those with whom we had both disagreed perished long ago. I see no purpose in our continued fighting." Optimus added firmly. What he was saying was nothing new. It was an argument he'd used countless times before to try to get Megatron to stop his senseless campaign of destruction. So far, it had failed, but… The Prime couldn't deny that something had changed in his former friend. If so, then perhaps this time he could actually get through. After all, the warlord had actually shown up of his own accord. That alone was proof enough that there was still hope for peace.
"Optimus…" Megatron began, venting a heavy sigh. "Clearly, my solution… has failed…" he rumbled out, once again looking away from the Autobot leader. Never in his life did he dream he would be sitting in front of his nemesis, admitting that he was actually wrong about something. "I thought the only way to overthrow the old leaders was through war, through battle… My plan succeeded, but the cost was far too great. I can see that now…"
Optimus listened patiently as Megatron spoke. This was what he'd waited millennia to hear, yet he almost couldn't believe his audio sensors. One look into the Decepticon Lord's eyes told him his words were genuine. The Prime couldn't help a small smile from spreading across his lips. This had to have been Starscream's doing. He was glad to see his faith in the Seeker was not misplaced.
The two leaders spoke for a while longer before they emerged from the side room. Megatron marched past Optimus, heading straight for the medlab to retrieve his Chief Medical Officer. The Prime made no attempt to follow. Instead, he made his way over to the group of curious Autobots that had been waiting for him. Arcee was the first to approach him. "So? How'd it go?" she asked folding her arms across her chestplates. Honestly, she was amazed the peace talks hadn't broken down into an all-out brawl. Optimus gave her a small smile. "Megatron has agreed to end the fighting." He replied simply. Bulkhead let out a scoff. "Yeah, and I bet he's just gonna let us slap some stasis cuffs on him and lock him up, right?" the ex-wrecker replied with a chuckle, shaking his helm slightly.
"Megatron will not be taken into custody, nor will any of the Decepticons that follow him." The Prime replied as evenly as ever. All four Autobots present immediately turned to stare up at that leader. Wheeljack even left his spot leaning against the wall to question him face to face. "Funny. Didn't know Primes could joke." The white sports car commented, though his face was as serious as any of them had ever seen. Optimus shook his helm slightly. "It is no joke, Wheeljack. Megatron has seen the error of his ways and has agreed to help repair the damage he has caused. He has volunteered all of his men and resources to the rebuilding of Cybertron, and has agreed to surrender all of the Iacon relics currently in his possession. In fact…" he paused, turning over his servo to reveal the sonic resonator that had recently been lost to the Decepticons. "He has presented this to me as a token of his sincerity."
The Autobots couldn't believe their optics. Was Megatron really serious about this? Wheeljack let out a scoff, turning away from the others. He didn't need that failure rubbed in his faceplates… Bumblebee let out an excited whir. 'So the war's really over?' he asked, bouncing on his pedes a bit. Optimus let out a chuckle, nodding at the young scout. Arcee shook her helm. "I don't get it… You've tried this before. What changed this time?" she asked, to which the Prime smiled. "It is often the smallest things that can spark the biggest change in a mech."
Megatron arched a brow plate as he made his way into the lab. Knock Out was still lying on the medberth, unconscious. The warlord immediately shot Ratchet an accusatory glare. "What have you done to him?" he growled out. The old medic let out a scoff, rolling his optics. "I haven't done anything. He fainted. Something to do with the level of stress he's been under." He retorted, shooting the same accusatory look right back at Megatron. The large mech vented a sigh, rolling his optics. "Have you finished your examination or not?" he grumbled out impatiently. Ratchet gave Breakdown a quick, stern glance, to which the one-eyed mech shied away a bit. The two of them had a nice long talk themselves while the two leaders were away. "Yep. Everything looks to be alright. The sparkling's a healthy size for its age. Of course, he is a medic. He knows what he's doing. He shouldn't need me until it's time for the birth." The Autobot replied dismissively, to which Breakdown seemed to let out the intake he was holding. Megatron gave a suspicious glance between the two, but decided against calling them out on their behavior. He really didn't want to know the specifics. He got plenty of that when Starscream was carrying. "Breakdown, grab your mate. We're going home."
Knock Out let out a groan, turning over in the berth. His tanks felt like they'd been doing somersaults inside him while he slept. He covered his mouth with a servo, curling up into a ball on his side as he tried to talk himself out of purging. "Oh, hey. You're awake." The sports car opened a single optic, staring up at Breakdown's smiling face. He gave another groan, burying his faceplates against the berth. "I wish I wasn't…" he grumbled out. The larger mech's smile faded a bit. Well, that wasn't exactly the greeting he was expecting. He sat down carefully on the edge of the berth, rubbing a servo down his mate's back strut in an attempt to help ease his nausea.
"Well… Umm… It worked, at least." He replied softly, giving his partner a reassuring smile. Knock Out looked up at him again, an absolutely miserable look on his face. Suddenly, Breakdown felt himself being pulled down by his neck, letting out a startled yelp. The sports car held the larger mech close for a long moment, nuzzling his helm against his mate's neck. "We're going to have a sparkling, babe…" he whispered into the blue mech's audio sensor, though he said it more to cement the idea in his own mind than to inform his partner. It was really happening. He was carrying a sparkling. After trying for so long with no luck, he couldn't believe the infant's spark had emerged just before the Autobots were going to examine him. The kid either had the best or the worst timing in the world.
"I know…" Breakdown began, rubbing the Aston Martin's back again. "Are you still okay with all this?" he asked hesitantly, a hint of worry escaping through his vocalizer. Knock Out gave his mate a broad smile before pulling him down into a kiss. He broke away after a long moment, lying his helm down against the blue mech's shoulder. "I didn't think I would be, but… Yeah. I'm more than okay with it, babe. I'm going to be a carrier…" He replied happily, hugging Breakdown tightly against himself.
Breakdown opened his mouth to reply when he was cut off suddenly, Knock Out shoving him roughly away. He looked down just in time to catch the sports car lean over the berth, unable to stop himself from puking any longer. The blue mech cringed, reaching over hesitantly to rub his mate's back again, which was the only thing he could really think to do to help at the moment. He knew he was going to have to get used to this. Maybe he should start putting a bucket next to their berth…