(Please see all previous disclaimers, m preg in this chapter)
Skyfire soon arrived to pick up Optimus and Aquaformer from the desert that they had found themselves in. Optimus thought that this was a bit much just for them to head back to the base, but gut instinct told Aquaformer differently, like this was very important for some reason. "Aquaformer, I don't need this" Optimus stated quietly as they boarded. He didn't like being treated like he was weak, as it bothered him. He always saw himself as a strong, capable mech.
Aquaformer held onto her mate closely. "You may not feel like you need it, but my concern is that you are heavy with our precious sparklings and I want to make sure you are all safe" Aquaformer gently replied, trying to reassure her mate. Optimus nodded then, as he too was worried about the developing sparklings. Skyfire said nothing as he flew them back to the base, at least he said nothing to Optimus or Aquaformer as they chatted.
Optimus sighed as Skyfire flew on, quicker than Optimus or Aquaformer realized. As for Optimus, he didn't like being sparked. He didn't like how he felt or what it did to his systems. He looked to his mate. "I…I'm sorry" Optimus suddenly uttered softly. He felt bad for not being there for her when she was sparked.
Aquaformer was a bit caught off guard at that statement. "There is no need to be sorry, my love. You have done nothing to be sorry for" Aquaformer replied, unsure why Optimus was saying sorry. She didn't see him being gone so much when she was sparked as a big deal, but a necessary evil to help the Autobots bear the cons.
Optimus sighed again, unaware his systems were prepping for something to happen. "I'm sorry I wasn't there as much as you needed me when you were sparked" Optimus told his mate, unknowingly stunning her.
"Love, we were still at war then. Megatron was dangerous threat to all and you needed to help the Autobots you lead to victory. I may have never been the leader of the Autobots, but I have been a troop leader and I know that some sacrifices need to be made for the good of the team. Don't feel bad for doing what needed to be done" Aquaformer replied, holding her mate close. Optimus snuggled in, her warmth very reassuring to the Prime. Prime felt little twinges of pain now and then, but kept quiet, figuring it was just the little ones moving around as they were very efficient at kicking his innards by this point. Little did he realize the pain was going to increase and increase significantly.
Unbeknownst to the pair, Skyfire commed ahead to the med bay. He knew Aquaformer would have done it if she hadn't been busy trying to reassure Optimus. Ratchet got the message and prepared, he had an inkling what might happen once Optimus was back at the base. Ratchet could only hope that Optimus' systems would wait until Ratchet could help the Prime.