(Y/D) is annoyed by Drift and Hound fighting and drives off. Bumblebee is worried but Crosshairs insists (Y/D) needs space even after Bumblebee argues (Y/D) will offline herself for good. (Y/D) drives for hours until she walks through a field that leads to the woods and sits on a boulder, alone until she hears peds walking towards her. (Y/D) doesn't look to see who it is, hoping it's a con who'll offline her, but instead (Y/D) believes she's hallucinating as she stares at the cybertronian in front of her until she is proven wrong.
Warning: contains sexual content

(Y/D) POV
It's hard to believe I stayed in recharge all night. Did Crosshairs use something to keep me asleep all night? Even if he did, I'm happy he did.
I don't have to walk far from our house to hear Drift and Hound arguing. It's too early for this; I'm out of here. I transform and drive off the property.

Bumblebee POV
Crosshairs and I watch (Y/D) drive off.
"We should go after her," I insist.
"No, she needs time alone."
"Are you kidding me?! Considering how upset she was yesterday, w-what if she—?"
"No, Bee, she's not thinking that way; she just needs space. We'll contact her in a few hours."
I hope you're right, Crosshairs.

(Y/D) POV
I don't know where I'm going. I don't know if I can even go on without Ratchet. I guess I was distracted the last six years, worried about being hunted down and killed. I feel a mix of guilt. I didn't grieve for my sparkmate, and I was distracted enough not to feel this pain.
You have to think positively (Y/D).
I stop in the middle of the road.
How can I, Ratchet? I can't go on without you.
I'm in the middle of nowhere, allowing me to transform and walk across a field of sunflowers. There's a path, so I'm not crushing these beautiful flowers. The field turns into dark woods, perfect for the mood I'm in, the dark place my processor is in.

An hour passes before I find a good-sized boulder to sit on and try to think positive.

Ratchet's POV
Where are you (Y/D)?
I've been driving for days, unable to get any Autobot signal, never mind my sparkmate's. I tried to repair myself the best I could, but even the improvements I've made on myself with Earth technology I find is scrap compared to Cybertronian tech, and repairing myself isn't as great as being repaired by Hound. All I know is she never got over what I did; I've felt so much pain through our bond that's still strong even after all these years, but I can't contact her. I worry (Y/D) is dying alone — even if we're not being hunted — wishing I was by her side.

I spent all day driving before I get five Autobot signals. (Y/D) is alone in an area I know is woods, while Crosshairs and Bee are heading further away from her. They wouldn't leave her alone unless she wanted to be left alone. I head towards (Y/D)'s location.

(Y/D) POV
I've been here for five hours. I know the others are worried about me, but I'm not ready to go back yet. I can't think positive, I can't stop crying, and I can't think about going on without Ratchet. I shouldn't have the past six years.
The sound of birds chirping is replaced by peds walking closer to me. I don't care if it's a con. I hope they make their killing quick.
I feel whoever they are standing right behind me. They put their servo on my shoulder, sending a shock throughout my body, but it wasn't to paralyze me. I look to see who it is, but I think my processor is playing tricks on me.

Ratchet POV
"No, I-I must be imaging things. Y-you were killed, like Leadfoot," (Y/D) says, scared.
"I swear on my spark I'm real, (Y/D)."
"How? Where have you been then?"
I sit on the boulder and hug her.
"Would a hallucination be able to hug you?"
(Y/D) begins to tear up.
"Shh, it's ok; I'm really here."
I didn't expect (Y/D) to hug me so tight that we fall off the boulder. She ends up on top of me as I lay on the ground. She gets off me, allowing me to sit up. I see she's watching the stars.
"Well, we missed the sunset, but we can start a tradition of watching the stars," she smiles.
"We can do both, spending hours alone together every night."

It's quiet as we watch the stars for a few minutes before (Y/D) shoves me to the ground and straddles me.
"I'm not ready to go back to the others. I want to hog you for myself for a while."
I chuckle, "of course."
I pull (Y/D) in for a kiss, unaware she's removing my interface panel.
So this is why you don't want to leave yet?
I smile as I remove her panel.
"Ratchet!" She exclaims as I move her on the ground, and I sit on my knees in front of her. I move her legs to get better access.

(Y/D) POV
I know it's a bit odd to want this ten minutes after Ratchet returns. I don't know; maybe this is what I need to know he's not a hallucination.
I knew it would hurt as his spike enters my valve. It's been so long since we've done this.
Ratchet waits a few minutes before slowly moving. He's always gentle at the start.

Ratchet POV
I didn't think our reunion would be like this, but I like it. I miss hearing (Y/N) moans as I thurst. I didn't think she'd ask to go faster. This lasts a few minutes before she gets me to the ground, bouncing on my spike, before bending down to kiss me.

We're both exhausted and panting.
"Now shall we go? The others must be worried about you."
(Y/D) responds by laying next to me.
"I'll take that as a no."
We end up cuddling until we slip into recharge.