Kerri was sitting in medbay with Optimus, Ratchet, and Agent Fowler. Fowler had found out about the incident between Ultra Magnus and Knockout and, needless to say, was livid. When Optimus told him everything, he was beyond livid. He sat, too angry to even speak.
Fowler stared at the young woman seated across from him. His jaw was clenched and his fingers were gripping the edge of the chair. Kerri sat across from him, not knowing what to say.
Fowler finally tore his gaze from the woman and turned to Optimus Prime.
"Why did you think it was a good idea to keep this from me, Prime?", he asked quietly. He was working very hard to keep his anger under control, but his blood was boiling.
"In retrospect, Agent Fowler, I realize that it was not a good idea. We did not know the truth until a few days ago. I asked Kerri if she wanted help, other than what we could offer her, and she assured me that she was fine."
Fowler was actually shaking now. He stood up and walked over to Prime.
"Does she look fine now, Optimus?", he asked, gesturing towards the woman.
"She's a human being, Prime, not a goddamn robot! She was raped by an alien species aboard an alien spaceship! And you think she's fucking fine?!"
Fowler turned his back to Optimus and strode over to the woman. "You're coming with me, soldier. I'm taking you back to the base."
"Agent Fowler," began Optimus, "I don't think that's a good idea."
Fowler spun around to face Prime again.
"Yeah? Well, I'm not inclined to give a damn what you think anymore."
"Nevertheless," Prime continued, "Kerri is safest here. Knockout will not stop until he has possession of her again, and if he comes for her at your military base, you will not be able to protect her."
"She…was…raped. By one of your kind."
"Now hold on a minute, Fowler," Ratchet interjected. "Knockout is-,"he said, before Prime silenced him.
"Knockout is a Decepticon, Agent Fowler," Prime said. "No Autobot has attempted to harm her or any human."
"You haven't exactly helped her either!"
"That's enough!", Ratchet shouted, and slammed her servo on the table."Ultra Magnus saved her from Knockout. t! If it weren't for him, she would be aboard the Nemesis right now! Yes, he let his anger get the best of him, but he cares about her and will do anything to protect her! We all will, and do!"
Fowler, Optimus, and Ratchet stood glaring at one another. They had momentarily forgotten about the young woman who was at the center of the storm. Kerri cleared her throat to get everyone's attention before looking up at Agent Fowler.
"With all due respect sir, I think Optimus is right. I would be safest here."
"You don't know what you're-"
"Please, sir, let me finish. He's right. Knockout isn't going to stop. If he comes into the base to get me, he isn't going to care whom he hurts or kills to do it. I can't put anybody else at risk. I lost my unit already, and I don't want to be responsible for anyone else's death."
She looked down at the floor, sadness taking over as she continued.
"This isn't their fault sir. This isn't anybody's fault except Knockout. We're at war, and horrible things happen in war. I owe the Autobots my life several times over. Wheeljack saved me from the Nemesis, Ratchet saved me from energon poisoning, and Magnus…saved me from Knockout."
"I'm Ratchet's assistant now. I belong here, and I want to stay."
Several moments past before Agent Fowler spoke again.
"I'll let you stay. I think you've earned the right to decide. But there will be conditions." he said, turning back to Optimus. "First, this is her permanent home. Find room for her. Second, she will be assigned a guardian at all times."
"Ratchet will be her guardian, Agent Fowler," replied Prime.
"I'm honored," said Ratchet, smiling down at the woman.
"Lastly," said Fowler as he walked towards Kerri. "Please accept my apology for what happened. You have served honorably. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to call me. You are, after all, one of my soldiers," he said, before saluting Kerri, the woman standing and returning the salute.
"Thank you sir. For everything," she said.
Fowler turned back to Prime.
"Don't ever make me regret this, Optimus," he said, before climbing into his car and leaving the silo.
As soon as Fowler turned the bend and disappeared into the tunnel, Ratchet turned to Kerri, smiling, and put out his servo.
"Alright, little lady. How about we go find you some space? There is a nice sized room next to mine. It's out of the way, and Miko won't bother you. Trust me."
Before they could head down the corridor, Ultra Magnus pulled into the base and transformed. He stood and looked at Optimus, Ratchet, and then the woman.
Kerri felt her heart drop. She climbed into the doctor's servo and turned her back to Magnus.
"Yes, please," she said sadly. "Let's go look at it."
Ratchet headed into the darkness of the corridor, and Prime turned to look at Ultra Magnus.
"How was patrol, Commander?" he asked. This was the first time the two had spoken since Optimus allowed him back into the field.
"Nothing out of the ordinary, sir."
"Very good," replied Optimus before walking over to the huge monitors mounted on the wall.
"Sir, I saw Agent Fowler leaving the base. I suppose you discussed the…situation with him?"
Prime turned back to the Commander. "It was discussed, and resolved. Kerri will be permanently assigned to the base as Ratchet's assistant, and he in turn, will be her guardian."
He stared at Magnus as an uncomfortable silence fell between them. Looking for any change in Magnus' expression and seeing none, Prime turned back to the monitors.
"Was there anything else, Commander?"
"Yes, sir," Magnus began hesitantly. "I would like to apologize for my behavior. I…I had no right to speak to my commanding officer so disrespectfully. I had no right to question your orders, and I can guarantee that I will never disappoint you again."
Optimus sighed and walked over to his second-in-command.
"I am the one who should be apologizing, friend. I encouraged the interaction between Kerri and yourself. I thought that it would be beneficial to both of you. And it was for a time. But, as often happens, feeling got involved."
"Feelings have no place in war, sir. I was foolish to indulge in them."
"It's not foolish, Commander. It's love."
If Magnus was capable of blushing he would have. Instead, he stared at the floor uncomfortably.
"You love her," Optimus continued. "At I suspect she feels the same way about you. Yes, we are involved in a war. Yes, she is of an alien race. Both difficult to overcome. But I also know that she changed the Ultra Magnus that I know. And she changed you for the better. You made her feel safe, and she made you feel…happy. And I have no right to stand in the way of your happiness."
Magnus said nothing, so Prime continued.
"I possess the Matrix of Leadership, and so my responsibility to that takes all precedence. It is a choice that I made. You, old friend, made no such choice. We have been fighting a war for millions of years, and any day could be our last."
"I have a responsibility to the Autobots, sir."
"Yes. But you also have a responsibility to yourself. And to Kerri. That night, when you sat watch at her bedside, you promised to always be there. She has lost a lot, Commander. I saw hope in her eyes when she was with you."
Optimus turned and headed down the corridor towards his room. He hesitated, but didn't turn back towards the Commander.
"I can't tell you what to do, Ultra Magnus. But I can tell you that once you lose something that means so much to you, all of the regret in the universe can't bring it back. I can attest to that."