Chapter SIX

RATCHET's POV

I was trying to com Bumblebee and give him the update on Cherish's progress when Sunstreaker walked in. I growled. I didn't need him bugging me right now.

"What do you want? I'm busy right now…and where's your brother?"

I didn't really want to know, but I was suspicious.

He shrugged. "Ironhide got mad at him or something. I bailed before he could yell at me…"

I rolled my optics. "So? What do you want?"

"I wanted to meet that girl you were with earlier. Where is she? I was gonna ask Optimus, but…"

"She's in her room."

"Not anymore. I just checked. That's why I'm asking you."

I looked at him. "Are you joking?"

Sunny shook his head. "No! Dude, if you don't believe me, just look! Primus, I'm not blind!"

"Not yet…" He looked at me, optics wide.

"You wouldn't, would you?"

"Try me. If Cherish is injured, then I will personally rip out your optics."

"Jeez, Ratch. You're acting like you're her guardian or something."

I glared at him. That shut him up. "Show me."

Sunny shrugged. "Fine. I don't know what you're expecting to see…"

I followed him down the hallway, growing more frantic with each step. What if Sunstreaker wasn't joking?

We got to the door, and Sunstreaker stepped to the side, gesturing me to look inside. I did. My spark seemed to jolt when I saw the empty room.

Immediately I turned to Sunstreaker and slammed him against the wall. "Where is she?"

"What? Why would I take her anywhere?"

I glared at him, not lessening my grip. "I didn't say that. I asked where she was?"

"How should I know?"

I was getting frustrated. "Answer the question or I will rearrange your circuits so bad you won't be able to blink an optic without help."

He gulped. "Uh…right. This way. Her and Sides are in the kitchen. She was hungry. We were, uh, just doing our civic duty…"

I released him, letting him fall to the floor. "Save it. You've never done civic anything."

Sunstreaker almost smirked at that, but he caught himself, a good thing too. I was quickly running out of what little patience I had.

I followed Sunstreaker down the hall. "You better pray to Primus that she's there…"

He rolled his optics. "She will be. Calm down. Would Sides-?" He cut off his question, mostly because he knew the answer.

"Would Sides what?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "I dunno."

I was wasting time. I had to know she was safe. I rushed past him to the human kitchen. I felt relieved when I saw Cherish sitting at the table, talking with Sideswipe.

She looked up at me. "Hey, Ratchet."

Cherish POV

I saw Ratchet enter the room. I looked up at him with an impish grin. "Hey, Ratchet."

He frowned. I hid my smile. "Did you know that for humans, it takes more energy to frown than to smile?"

I heard Sides snicker behind me. Ratchet was furious he wouldn't be for long. I had a plan and it involved the twins out of their minds… or whatever. "I thought I told you to stay put."

Sunny stepped forward to say something, but I beat him to it."Well, yah, but a girl's gotta eat."

I grinned at Sides. If they were continually causing Ratchet problems, I had an idea. After all, me and Ratchet had a 'truce'…

That and I REALLY wanted to prank somebody, especially if it meant the twins.

"You know, Ratchet, Sides was really nice. He even helped me find my snack. Isn't that right Sides?"

He nodded, no idea of the bomb I'd just set off. Everything was perfect, I just hoped the plan worked. While Ratchet was practically steaming, Sides and Sunny watched him. While they were distracted, I mouthed 'go along with it' Ratchet looked puzzled at first, but then get a slight, almost indiscernible nod.

I started coughing violently. The twins looked over at me, panicking. Sunny spoke first. "What the slag? What's wrong with her Ratchet?"

Ratchet came over. He was actually a good actor. "What snack did you get her?"

Sides scratched behind his head. "Just these oreos…" I stifled a giggle as I was still 'battling for my life'.

Ratchet looked horrified. "Oreos? The pain medication I gave her makes her allergic to the artificial coloring found in oreos!"

Sunny slapped Sides upside the head. "You bolt head! How could you?"

Sides frowned. "This was your idea! Ratchet! Isn't there anything you can do?"

Ratchet shook his head, looking crestfallen. "I'm afraid it's too late. Soon she'll go into a coma, perhaps forever. Maybe if I'd caught it a few minutes ago…How could you be so stupid? "

I collapsed in a heap on the floor, careful not to let my breathing show. It wasn't easy because I was trying not to laugh. The twins should know if this was real, Ratchet would have already off lined them as well. I guess they don't really pay attention.

I felt a hand scoop me up, and then heard Side's voice over me. "Oh frag it all!"

Ratchet's voice boomed out. "Look what you've done! I hope you're happy, cause I'm going to rearrange your circuits soo bad…"

By now Sides and Sunny were both yelling now. I'm surprised somebody didn't come see what all the racket was.

Next, I jumped up where I had been laying and took a deep bow. "Thank you, thank you! You've been a wonderful audience!"

Sides gasped and Sunny looked awestruck. I think I nearly died laughing. Ratchet rolled his optics. "Come on, didn't either one of you think to scan for signs of life? I thought we taught you better than that."

Sides was still in shock when Sunny spoke. "Y-you pranked us!"

I nodded. "Yep. It was pretty funny, too."

Sides started laughing. "Oh, it is so on, now!"

Sunny started laughing too. Ratchet interrupted. "Now, Cherish, you've had a long day. You need your rest. And you two…"

He looked at the twins. "You better be glad I don't talk to Optimus about you interfering with a medical procedure."

The twins nodded and reluctantly turned to leave. Sides gave me a quick wave. "See ya later, Cher."

I nodded, smiling. When they were gone, Ratchet started down the hallways down towards 'my' room. Not surprisingly, he was upset I had left. I just shrugged. "I told you I'd be in the general vicinity… you failed to specify the boundaries of said vicinity…"

He just rolled his optics. "Your logic is flawed."

I raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

He stalled, then changed the topic. "So, what gave you that insane idea to 'prank' the twin?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I thought it'd be fun. Your acting was spot on. They were freaked."

Ratchet actually smiled. "Thank you. Now, you really do need your rest."

I sighed. "Fine, but I expect oreos in the morning."

I frowned at me. "Don't push your luck."

I laughed before climbing out of his hand and into the bed. Sleep came easily that night.

RATCHET's POV

I was glad the twins were upset. After the vorns of annoyance from them, they deserved it. I can't help but admit my spark did jump a little when Cherish had 'collapsed'. I'd run a scan on her to make sure she really was ok. Cherish was an intriguing creature. How could someone as frail as her be so strong and stubborn at the same time?

This among other questions flooded my processor that night before I went into recharge. With her and the twins, it was going to be a long week.

Sideswipe's POV

Ha. That Cherish girl is alright. I still can't believe she was able to get Ratchet to help her prank us. That was a miracle in itself. But she was definitely going to get it. Me and Sunny were already planning our revenge… well, mostly Sunny. Ratchet's attitude toward Cher confused me. Why was he so protective of her? He didn't act this way with Sam, or especially. Oh well, as long as it didn't interfere with our plans to get back at Cherish.

Actually… maybe it could help. I turned to Sunny, who had just discarded yet another plan.

"Hey, Sunny? I think I got an idea…" His grin grew wider as I spoke. When I was finished, he spoke.

"Well, brother, looks like your finally using the processor Primus gave ya. That might just work."

I grinned. This was gonna be a fun week.

Cherish POV

A couple of days passed, not much happened. Ratchet talked to me mostly. It was a welcome escape from the solitude. Sunny and Sides passed by every once and a while, but I was still suspicious.

I thought for sure that they were planning to get back at me when they came into the kitchen . I'd been eating oreos… I couldn't help it! There wasn't much other snack foods. I'd tried hiding them, but Sides had seen them already.

"Hey… you eating junk food?"

I nodded hesitantly. "Maybe… Please don't tell Ratchet!"

Sunny smirked. "Well, perhaps you should. He says they're bad for you…"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not an invalid. I'm not throwing up, or getting dizzy. The oreos are fine. They aren't gonna kill me…"

Sides smirked. "Maybe…"

I looked at him. "Come on. Have a spark…"

They looked amused. "Fine, but you owe us one…"

I rolled my eyes as they left the room. It was no surprise Ratchet found them annoying a lot of times…

Side's POV

I looked over to Sunny, waiting until we were out of hearing range. He was still grinning. "Did we get enough?"

Sunny nodded. He pulled the recorded disk out. "Yep. With enough editing, this should definitely work."

I laughed. "Aw, Man! This is gonna be amazing! Serves her right for pranking us…"

Sunny nodded. "Yes. This is going to be totally awesome. I still can't believe you thought of it…"

I grinned smugly. "I can't help it if I decide to be a genius every once in a while…"

He whacked me upside the head. "You are so glitchy sometimes…"

I grinned. "We better let it cool off a while, you know. False sense of security and all that."

Sunny stared at me. "You just had another idea!" I shrugged. "I try."