Atonement
Chapter 13—Standing in the middle
Disclaimer: I don't own the Transformers. They officially belong to Hasbro and Takara. I'm taking them for a short spin.
Hot Rod headed to the med bay. He'd commed Springer, wanting to talk. Ratchet popped his head out of his office at the intrusion when he saw him enter.
"Everything all right?" the medic asked.
"Fine, Ratch," Hot Rod said. "Just wanted to see Spring."
"Let me know if you need anything," Ratchet said, withdrawing to the privacy of his office, leaving the other two mechs alone.
"Ultra Magnus was just here," Springer said. "That was a surprise."
"No kidding," Hot Rod said.
"What was he doing here?" Springer asked.
"Hell if I know," Hot Rod said, sitting down by his friend, who was feeding Echo. He peered over the edge of the thermal blanket. "She looks like she's doing better."
"She is, and don't change the subject," Springer said. "You're obviously spooked. What's wrong?"
"I just spent the past hour out joyriding so I wouldn't have to actually talk to Magnus," Hot Rod said.
"So you saw him?" Springer asked.
"For a few seconds," Hot Rod said. "I wasn't in a situation where I really wanted to talk, especially to him."
"Rodi, what happened?" Springer said.
"I was with Optimus, on the mountain. We were talking, and well, I got tired of talking, so. . .Magnus interrupted us."
"So go finish talking to Optimus," Springer said.
"I had Optimus flat on his back, Spring. We were a little busy when Magnus showed," Hot Rod said.
"It's about time, Rodi," Springer said, grinning at his friend.
"Did you not hear the part about Ultra Magnus?" Hot Rod said.
"So he got an optic-full," Springer said. "Maybe he's feeling a twinge of regret or something. He'll get over it."
"Optimus and I are barely past the admitting our feelings stage," Hot Rod hissed, trying to lower his voice so he wouldn't attract Ratchet.
"Magnus had to find out sooner or later. If he gets between you two, he'll answer to me," Springer said.
"Optimus and I cannot catch a break," Hot Rod said. "First Ratchet, now Ultra Magnus."
"Ratchet interrupted you two going at it?" Springer asked, optic brow raised, interested.
"On Prowl's desk the morning we took him off active duty," Hot Rod said. "The door was open, and Ratchet came by. I'm kind of glad he did, though."
"That desk has seen a lot of action," Springer said.
"You'd know," Hot Rod said.
"Hey, all joking aside, I'm just glad you two finally traded paint," Springer said.
"Things haven't exactly gotten that far yet," Hot Rod said.
"Wait—don't tell me you're still not popped," Springer said. "Rodi. . ."
"Don't Rodi me," Hot Rod said.
"Look, if it's a matter of finding a nice, private place, there's a shielded supply closet up on North Spire, Level 7," Springer said. "Command codes are a nice thing."
"I am not getting my seals popped in a supply closet," Hot Rod snapped, voice a little louder than he intended.
Echo warbled at the noise, and Ratchet stuck his head out of his office again.
"You need to learn how to lock a door," Ratchet said. "And did you talk to Optimus?"
"A little," Hot Rod said.
"Did you tell him everything?" Ratchet asked.
"No," Hot Rod said.
"Sparkling, don't make me warn you," Ratchet said. "I'm grateful you two finally admitted your feelings for one another, but good, lasting relationships are built on trust. Just talk to him. You'll feel better when you do, and there is absolutely no reason to rush into anything physical, despite the obvious enthusiasm you two were exhibiting the other day. Hot Rod, I'm not trying to be an aft. I just want you to be happy, and you couldn't have made a better choice than Optimus. Just talk when you're ready, all right?"
"OK," Hot Rod said, watching as Ratchet went back into the office.
"What is he talking about?" Springer said.
"I'll tell you later, Spring," Hot Rod said. "I'm gonna go, OK? See you in the morning."
"'Night," Springer said, watching his friend go.
88888
The comms had arrived late the night before, but Hot Rod was glad he'd bothered to check his messages before turning in. He was waiting at the space bridge for Kup and Blurr, grinned when they appeared out of the halo of light and energy, but his happiness faded when he saw who was behind his friends. Galvatron and Starscream were behind them, and for a moment, Hot Rod considered doing something he wouldn't regret, but Kup's hand on his shoulder kept him from it.
"Rodimus," Galvatron said, walking by, then taking off after Starscream toward the city.
Kup hugged him, and so did Blurr.
"It's good to see you lad," Kup said, looking him over. "I'm sorry it's been so long, but we're up to our optics."
"I know," Hot Rod said.
"Hotroditssogoodtoseeyouhowveyouvebeeniknowdaniels comingtovisitandarceeistooandweregoingtotryandcome backandmagnusisbeinganaftabouteverything. . ."
"Blurr, I'm good. I'm glad to see you, too," Hot Rod said, throwing an arm across his friend's shoulder. "C'mon. Springer's waiting."
88888
Springer was standing by First Aid by Echo's berth while the medic ran a few scans, and adjusted the wires hooked up to the sparkling. Except they both stopped and stared when the med bay doors opened to reveal Galvatron and Starscream. Medic and mech met optics for a few seconds before First Aid found his vocalizer. Being in the presence of the former Decepticon leader and winglord of Vos at the same time was almost more than the timid bot could take, but he managed. He was a professional.
"Lord Galvatron, Starscream, what can I do for you today?" First Aid asked.
"Starscream wished to consult with a medic, and I agreed to accompany him," Galvatron said.
"Let me finish with Echo, and I'll be right with you," First Aid said.
Galvatron edged forward, toward the sparkling berth, surprise etched on his features. Starscream, curious about what surprised Galvatron so much, was astonished to see a sparkling.
"Prime did not tell me a sparkling had been created," Galvatron said.
"Echo was a surprise to us all, including her parents," First Aid said.
Galvatron looked at Springer. "You are her carrier?"
"Yes," Springer said.
"You're more fortunate than you know," Galvatron said, stepping back, almost pained by the look of warmth in Starscream's optics, something he'd never seen before. He was learning every day since beginning his liaison with his former second in command he'd underestimated the Seeker at every turn. It hadn't taken Galvatron much time in reaching the conclusion he didn't deserve Starscream, and if he decided he wanted to end their temporary alliance, he wouldn't blame him.
"I'm done now, and if you two will follow me. . ." First Aid said, gesturing in the direction of one of he exam rooms. Galvatron and Starscream followed, leaving a curious Springer in their wake.
The triple changer gently caressed his daughter's cheek, looking up when he heard the doors slide open, seeing Hot Rod, Kup and Blurr.
Kup grabbed him in a bear hug, Blurr was pounding him on the back and Hot Rod just watched, a smile on his face. His spark felt a little lighter, seeing the mechs he regarded as family all together.
Kup let go of Springer, and turned his attention to the little recharging femme. "So, this is your bitlet," he said. "Springer, she's beautiful, and Echo is a good choice for a name."
"I'll pass that on to Prowl," Springer said.
Kup caught Hot Rod's optics for a moment. Oops. Springer hadn't passed on that piece of information. "Prowl's the sire?"
"Yeah," Springer said.
"Thought you two had called it off," he said.
"We did," Springer said. "Kup, it's complicated, but we're trying to work it out, for Echo's sake."
"Good," Kup said.
"Now, would anybody mind telling me what Galvatron and Starscream are doing here together?" Springer asked.
"They came with us on the space bridge," Kup said.
"They walked in here, scared the hell out of First Aid, and surprised me, and took a look at Echo," Springer said.
Kup felt the flare in Hot Rod's energy field. The kid hated Galvatron, and with good reason, the ancient mech reflected. And he wondered if Hot Rod knew about the amount of time the Lord High Protector was spending with Starscream. He knew because Ironhide had passed it on to him, and he had specops enforcers keeping an eye on things. The last thing they needed was Galvatron trying to make a bid for power, but for the moment, it wasn't his priority.