(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Carefully, Optimus released his own precious and important spark, hoping against all hope that the connecting of his spark with that of his mate Aquaformer would save her now the way she once had saved him. He had to, he knew, or not only would he lose her and the little ones, but also, he would also lose his own life. He hoped they weren't too late.
Ratchet just watched as all seemed to be hanging in the balance. Aquaformer appeared out of it and Ratchet knew he had done he could to help her. Now, it was all up to Aquaformer and Primus.
Though out of it and still very low on energon even with an energon drip running, Aquaformer thought she could feel her mate nearby. She was a bit hesitant as before when she had needed him most, he threw her under the bus so to speak and not offered the support she needed. She wanted to be loved and treated like she was a bot just like any other bot. But as much as the perceived rejection hurt the femme, one thing that came to her mind was the precious sparklings growing inside her. She felt deep her in spark that they deserved to live, and so she made her choice.
Ratchet and Optimus waited for what seemed like an eternity, but in reality was only a few very nerve-racking minutes. Slowly but surely, Aquaformer's armor guarding her precious spark began to move. It was slow due to the fact that she was low on energon and sparked. Little did Optimus realize that Aquaformer was hoping this wasn't a mistake to trust her mate again.
Soon, though not soon enough for Optimus, Aquaformer's spark came forth, very slowly heading for the Prime's released spark. Optimus didn't think much of it, as he figured she was still recovering from being weak, but Ratchet saw and sighed. This wasn't looking good.
"What's wrong?" Optimus asked when he heard Ratchet sigh, Aquaformer's spark having not yet reached the Prime's spark. He hoped she would connect soon.
"She's extremely fearful" Ratchet carefully replied, knowing Aquaformer we'll from when they had worked together long ago. He also knew Optimus could be easily upset when stressed, so Ratchet was careful when he told Optimus about this.
"Fearful of what?" Optimus asked, forgetting about what he had said and done before. He just wanted her and their sparklings to be safe and back with him. He wanted them safe, not yet realizing she may not feel he was "safe" to go back to.
"I fear she fears you will reject her…again" Ratchet answered, the answer leaving a bad taste in his mouth. He didn't want to have to say it, but it needed to be said so that Optimus might understand.
"Reject her again?" Optimus asked, a bit confused. Ratchet explained what happened the last time and how Aquaformer reacted and such. Optimus then realized what he needed to do. Optimus needed to not only pulse love and reassurance to his mate, he also needed to show it.
Finally, Aquaformer's spark made its way over to the Prime's and just hung their, a few inches from the Prime's exposed spark. It was too worried to come any closer. Optimus realized he had hurt his mate deeper than she had let on and than he had realized. His spark tried to move towards hers and she moved hers a few times before finally allowing the merge to take place. Now all Ratchet and Optimus could do was hope that this connection would truly bring Aquaformer fully back online.