Ratchet's P.O.V.
Bumblebee, Ironhide, Wheeljack, and I are on a mission. Mirage believes he found Energon in a cave. This is a game-changer if he really found Energon; good for us, but dangerous if the cons get to it first. Only Prime knows I wanted to come only because he selected Wheeljack for the mission. The others think we're a good team — which is true, but they don't know how much I love Wheeljack. The problem is some bots are afts when it comes to anyone liking another bot — even when they like one of the femmes.
"Here's the cave," Wheeljack points out, "let's move before —."
"Before we find you, Wheeljack?" Megatron asks.
"I told you the Autobots are stupid. They don't even know the Energon is fake," Starscream mocks.
The cons split us up. I watch Wheeljack go into the cave. Rather attack us, the cons fire at the cave.
"They're trying to cause a cave-in!" Bee exclaims.
I try to get to Wheeljack, but it's too late; the rocks created a cave in.
"We need backup before we help him, Ratchet!" Ironhide argues, and we leave Wheeljack behind. Oddly no cons go after us...
We'll come back for you, or I will myself, I promise.
Wheeljack's P.O.V.
Ugh, I feel like I got caught in a Dinobot stampede. It takes me a few seconds to realize I'm trapped in this cave.
"And my comlink is busted, great."
I can't dig my way out, but maybe I can blast my way out.
Before I can even fire my weapon at the rocks, another bit does it for me.
"Ratchet?"
"Sorry, he ran off like a coward; they all did."
I'm shot before I can attack. I'm not injured, but I feel myself going into stasis.
I have no idea how much time passed, but I am no longer in the cave. Instead, I'm tied to a berth that's been raised upright.
"Our prisoner is awake," Megatron smiles, "you know how this works, Wheeljack; tell me where the Autobots base is, and maybe I'll let you live."
"Nice offer, but I'll pass."
I know I'm valuable to the team as a scientist, but I'd rather Perceptor takes over than tell the cons our location.
"It's a shame we can't force him to join our side," Starscream points out.
They could reprogram my processor, but most of the time, the bot would die. Replacing memories results on overload and eventually complete processor shutdown.
"You know that often leads to death...but we can erase his memory core and let the Autobots find him. He'll be useless to them."
Ugh, their laughs are so annoying.
Ratchet's P.O.V.
I can't believe we just left him at the servos of the cons. There were three of us; we could have fought them. It's hard not to think about what the cons could be doing to him. It's already been three hours, and Telatran one still can't locate any Energon signatures.
It's my turn to go on patrol; I can't stop doing my duties because the one I love is missing, but I think I would have been able to take someone's patrol if it wasn't my turn. I don't understand why we can't detect Wheeljack's Energon signature.
An hour passes before I see a figure that's too tall to be human.. Driving closer, I realize it's Wheeljack and... standing close to the edge of the cliff...
I transform and run towards him, "Wheeljack no!"
He turns around and begins shooting at me, but his aim is terrible. I'm able to get right in his face.
"Wheeljack, it's me—."
He punched me hard, sending me flying a few feet before landing on my back.
"What was that for?" I ask while getting up, "I promised we'd return, but we struggled to find your Energon signature."
"I am not Wheeljack."
Wheeljack starts firing at me. I have to retreat, failing to think Wheeljack would run after me. There's enough distance between us for me to look down a canyon and calculate my jump to land on the ledge five feet below me. I have to crouch down to avoid Wheeljack finding me.
I'm sorry, you leave me no choice.
I have to be careful Wheeljack doesn't fall into the canyon.
"Where are you?!" He asks angrily as he stands at the edge above me. I listen closely to his ped steps, waiting for my chance to knock him out. I have to move quickly as he'll hear my peds.
"I'm sorry, my love," I activate the EMP, dreading watching Wheeljack fall to the ground, "I'll fix you up and find out what happened to you."
Even with Wheeljack in stasis, I kiss him before transforming and putting him in the back of my alt mode.
"What happened?" Prime asks, alarmed as I carry Wheeljack to the medbay. I'm glad the others aren't around.
"I don't know...he-he claims he's not Wheeljack..."
"Ratchet, are you sure you will be able to repair him?"
I know he's asking if the damage is severe — which I don't know yet — and because he's my love. I already feel the regret of not telling Wheeljack before today.
"Please let Perceptor or Sparkplug help you."
Would our human alley know I like Wheeljack?
"Fine, Sparkplug, come help."
I realize the human is awaiting my response to Prime's request.
"There are no injuries anywhere," Sparkplug observes.
"Not on his armor..but his processor..."
I take out Wheeljack's processor and plug it into my computer.
"I haven't looked at you guys' version of a brain, but I'm certain those blank spots aren't normal," Sparkplug points out.
"No... his memories have been erased."
"Can you get them back by fixing his processor?"
"Maybe, or..."
"Some memories will come back, or none at all?"
"Y-yeah..."
There are things we need to hope Wheeljack will remember when he wakes up, but I'm terrified he'll forget he loves me.
Sparkplug and I work for hours repairing Wheeljack's processor.
"That's all we can do for now."
"He'll be ok, Ratchet. I'll go tell Prime," Sparkplug tells as he climbs down the ladder.
Please let him remember everything.
We did our best to prepare for increased Decepticon activity. I didn't think Prime would let me stay behind while the others fight the cons.
"One long month, Wheeljack, please wake up."
I sit by the medical berth as I do all day. The others offer to take my place for a while, but I can't leave Wheeljack's side.
Wheeljack's P.O.V.
My optics online; I'm in a dark room. I have one fragging helmache which gets worse as I think about what happened. Looking around the room, I think I'm in a lab or medbay.
What have the cons been doing to me?
I realize I'm not a Decepticon prisoner when I see Ratchet on my right, recharging on the other medical berth. Now I remember what happened. With the throbbing helmache, I attempt to go back into recharge.
Ratchet's P.O.V.
I dread not having all my equipment. Wheeljack's vitals are fine, but I worry I fucked up, and Wheeljack is in permanent stasis.
"Ratchet?"
I turn to see Wheeljack's blue optics looking right at me.
"Wheeljack? Do-do you remember me?"
"Yes, I-I remember attacking you. I'm so sorry, I—."
Wheeljack stops as I grab the nearby wrench.
"I know you wouldn't hurt me. Your processor was damaged, specifically your memory core.
I repaired it the best I could, terrified you wouldn't get your memories back."
I knew I'd end up crying—Wheeljack's servo wiping the tears.
"I remember everything. I am Wheeljack, I am the Autobot's scientist in this damn war, and I love you, Ratchet."
"I should tell Prime—."
"No, stay for a while, please."
I lay on the berth with him. Wheeljack is puzzled as to why I want him to remove his face mask. His faceplate turning red as I kiss him. The kiss gets heated until I remember Wheeljack's injuries.
"Party pooper," Wheeljack jokes before we both end up in recharge.