A/N: I continue to be impressed and humbled by the responses from all of you. Thank you. You've made a very difficult day much better. As a reminder, I respond to all logged in reviews personally. This chapter might seem slow but there are major things getting ready to happen. I hope you are ready ) Much love to all of you!

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners (Hasbro et. al.). The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material. No copyright infringement is intended.

Ratchet paced the short distance between the pillars. He was boxed in by three semi truck trailers for 'his own protection'. Or some such idiocy that Fowler had come up with.

"You know maybe you should let the Autobot Medic help out." He shouted in the direction they'd taken Wheeljack. There was no answer, though the two men standing guard glanced up at him. "This is ridiculous. How do they expect to perform delicate surgery on a life form they know nothing about!"

"Ratchet, please calm down. We know what we are doing."

"Oh really? And how is that? Because you stole all of M.E.C.H.'s research?" Ratchet leaned down to look at the officer.

"Actually, yes."

Flinging his arms up Ratchet stomped to the other side of the small enclosure. "As if that makes everything better."

"Agent Fowler was just worried that with recent events that you might not be as-"

"Competent, alert, objective?"

The man grimaced. "Something like that."

"I've been though eons of war, human. Don't you think in that whole time I have learned a thing or two about how to set aside my emotions when dealing with a patient?"

"No one is questioning your skills, Ratchet." Agent Fowler stopped the modified golf cart he'd been driving, nodding to both men. "I wanted to let you know that he is out of danger and resting comfortably. A few circuits were fried and had to be replaced-"

"Replaced! With what?! More of your Earth tech! Are you trying to kill him?" Ratchet strode back and forth, arms waving. "This is ludicrous. We need to be out there trying to find a way to rescue Optimus and you are playing build-a-bot with our best engineer!"

"Engineer? I didn't know Wheeljack-"

"You barely know anything about any of us!"

"Hey now! That's not fair!" William walked up to Ratchet, glaring at the medic. "I know we haven't always seen eye to eye on things, but I've tried my best to get to know all of you. Just because you refuse to allow yourself any form of a connection with this planet and it's inhabitants, out of some misplaced sense of loyalty to your home, doesn't mean we feel the same way about you. We here on earth have a saying Ratchet. 'Home is where the heart is.' You decide what feels like home and you decided a long time ago that no matter what you would never allow yourself to feel at home here."

Ratchet blinked several times his mouth agape. After a moment he shut it, fumbling for a response. "That-thats not true."

"Really Ratchet? All this time here and instead of trying to learn more about the planet you are on, you are grieving for one you cannot get back to."

Ratchet was silent. Had he really come across so badly to the humans? He valued Raf's intelligence, Jack's knack for getting things done and Miko-Miko was a good distraction for Bulkhead. Which often saved his equipment. He looked back to William as he spoke again.

"You've been a soldier for so long Ratchet, that I think you've forgotten what it means to be a person. I am terribly sorry about Cybertron and what has happened, but we cannot do anything to change that. What we can do is move forward. For that I will need your full cooperation and willingness to liaison with us humans. With Optimus gone you are next in command and we have to work together. Can you do that, Ratchet?"

Venting slowly Ratchet's shoulders slumped, his head dropping. "Yes. I can do that. I . . . I am sorry for snapping at you like that it's just- . . ."

"I understand. You are worried and upset. I am too. That's why I didn't want you working on Wheeljack when I had trained technicians waiting. You are exhausted, mentally and emotionally."

"I realize that now. It's just . . . I don't want to lose anyone else. Optimus may not survive the next few orn and I can't help him, no one can. I just wanted to be able to help someone."

"I understand. Now I want you to get some shut-eye. Wheeljack is in very capable hands. I promise you."

"Can I at least see him?"

"Of course."

Wheeljack was laying on a large concrete slab that was swarming with humans. Various cables and lines fed from equipment to the recharging wrecker. Out of habit Ratchet ran his scanner over the still form. Nothing red lighted. Everything seemed to have been repaired, even the welding scar on his leg had been buffed out. He just needed some time for his mesh to recover and he'd look as good as new.

Reaching out he hesitated before touching Wheeljack's arm. Looking at his own dark servos resting against the white mesh he realized they were both still filthy from the snow and muck. He turned to Fowler.

"May I have some water and a non abrasive cloth. He needs to be cleaned up."

"Yes of course. Why didn't I think of that?"

"Well it's not like we can just drive through a car wash." Ratchet shook his head then started as the men around him laughed. "What? What did I say?"

"Nothing," Fowler was smiling. "I'll go get you those supplies."

Once they arrived, Ratchet took his time, making sure to be careful. Some of the humans got in on the act. Taking rags they washed where dirt and mud had gotten caked in joints and servos. Wheeljack might not be the easiest bot to get along with but he was loyal. He'd proved just how loyal these last few days and Ratchet was willing to put aside what had happened with Miko. He stopped mid scrub as a thought hit him. He'd been so upset with Wheeljack's decision to go after the Insecticon knowing Miko was with him. Yet he himself had neglected the children that day. That horrible fateful day.

"Oh Primus . . ." He stepped back, the rag dropping from numb servos. "If . . . If I had just-"

"Ratchet?"

Dazed he looked down to see Wheeljack blinking up at him. "You're awake?"

"Yeah, though I feel like scrap and what's with the humans crawling all over my chassis?"

"Umm, they were . . . Cleaning you. You needed a good scrub down what with all the mud and we don't exactly have a sanitizer. Wouldn't want you to develop a rust infection." Ratchet quickly composed himself briefly meeting Wheeljack's eyes. "I didn't mean to wake you. I'll let you recharge now."

"Hey." Servos grabbed his wrist pulling him up short. "I know that look Ratchet. What's wrong?"

"What look? There was no look."

"What's up your tailpipe Doc-bot?"

Ratchet sputtered for a moment. "I-I assure you that nothing is wrong, outside of this ridiculous situation. Your surgery went fine and you'll make a full recovery."

"Glad to hear it Ratchet. Now what about you." Wheeljack picked up a man still kneeling on his shoulder, scrubbing at his tire and set him to the side. "Thanks little guy, but I'm not a sparkling."

The soldier made an unsteady salute and trotted off. "They'd make good pets."

"Wheeljack!"

"Oh lay off, you know I'm kidding. Let me have some fun after almost dying."

Ratchet wasn't quite sure how to respond to that. "Well . . . I'm glad you didn't. I mean . . . We need all the help we can get. Especially if we are going to get Optimus back."

"They captured him? Slag it! What about June?"

"No one can find her."

Wheeljack was silent for several long moments. "That little femme better be alright."

###

Megatron was grinning. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so alive, so full of purpose. It reminded him of the times he'd clashed with Optimus or even before their fateful first meeting when he'd still fought in the gladiatorial pits. This was what it felt like to be a conqueror. To be victorious.

It was glorious.

"Soundwave, has our prisoner been repaired?"

He got a nod and was handed a datapad. He skimmed over the readout a bit taken aback by the extent of the injuries suffered by his old foe. "I wonder if the matrix somehow keeps him alive when he should have otherwise perished. No matter. Have him moved to the brig once Knockout deems him fit. I am going to New Kaon to oversee the installation of Teltrann2. I want everything online and running by the end of the vorn."

Soundwave nodded, bowing slightly and turned to go.

"Oh, Soundwave, did they happen to find anything else in the wreckage of the base? The Star Saber perhaps?"

Soundwave shook his head managing to somehow look apologetic with the tilt of his head and angle of his shoulders.

"No matter. Thank you, Soundwave."

Turning back to the viewport he smiled. His meeting with Shockwave had gone very well, despite the scientist's quirks. He'd also managed to find a few of his more loyal followers, namely Brawl and Barricade and a few others of the Constructicons. He would need them to reshape this planet in his image now that the Omega Lock was gone. Though first he needed to eradicate the Autobots. The humans would be next. It was quite amusing to him that his new empire would be built upon the remnants of Unicron where Cybertron had been of Primus.

"Quite appropriate." He mused.

"Lord Megatron, sir."

He turned to see one of the Eradicons with his head down as he waited.

"Ah, you have returned."

"Yes sir. I am sorry for the delay but the ground bridge was unavailable."

"No excuses. What is your report?"

"The Autobots, Ratchet and Wheeljack are in human custody. They took them to an underground facility."

"Soundwave gave me the coordinates. It is no matter. I will have them coming to me soon enough. They will want to rescue their precious leader."

"Yes sir."

"Good work." He dismissed the 'Con and turned back to watch the view as his new fortress loomed on the horizon. He would go see Optimus once he was in the brig. There were things to discuss. Chief among them, the terms of the Autobot's surrender. After that he could proceed with his plan.