(Please see all previous disclaimers, m preg mentioned)
Skyfire was very close to returning to the base with Aquaformer and Optimus in tow. Aquaformer was trying to keep Optimus relaxed as they headed in. Aquaformer had a suspicion as to what was happening – Optimus was preparing to spark. Aquaformer was trying to help him keep calm and focused through the pain, but Optimus was in too much pain to listen.
As Skyfire landed, Aquaformer commed the med bay, "Ratchet, you need to come out and get Optimus, I think he is preparing to spark our little ones" Aquaformer calmly but firmly stated.
"On my way" Ratchet responded, knowing that Skyfire was close. And as Skyfire landed, Ratchet was there, waiting with a bot sized gurney. Aquaformer carefully assisted her large, sparking mate out of Skyfire and onto the gurney. Once Skyfire was able to transform back to bot mode, he helped Aquaformer and Ratchet get Optimus to the med bay.
Everything seemed to be moving in slow motion for Optimus. His body felt like it was fire and he was not prepared for all this. When anyone talked to him, it sounded like someone talking through water. The pain had totally disoriented him. He had never asked about this, and had no idea a bot could even live through this much pain. At this point, all he wanted was for the pain to end, as it was excruciating to him.
Aquaformer tried pulsing love across their bond, hoping it would help. She could tell that the pain was getting the better of her mate, but Ratchet had relegated her to just being the mate while Ratchet and Aid worked on Optimus. Aquaformer did whatever she could to tell.
Ratchet was trying to tell Optimus to push, but the pain fog was affecting Optimus to greatly. The fog totally took over his processor and he felt to weak to push. Ratchet realized what was happening instantly. "We have to open him up and get them out now" Ratchet stated in calm panic. Aquaformer knew then that something was wrong. She looked at her mate and she realized what was going on. She just hoped her mate survived, as she knew this could be fatal if not treated right.
Optimus felt so out of it. He could feel the love pulses from his mate, but the pain fog just made him unable to pulse back in the way he wanted too. He was scared, but only Aquaformer knew it. Optimus just wanted to be back to his normal baseline and hoped this didn't end up killing him.
Ratchet and aide soon opened Optimus up and quickly realized the problem. The second smaller chamber was failing. Ratchet reached for the second smaller chamber first, first removing the precious sparkling and then removing the chamber itself. This alone reduced the pain fog and Optimus started returning to more of his baseline.
"This one is a mech, strong and healthy, though the same can't be said for the chamber he developed in" Ratchet stated, setting the little one aside. "Now time to remove the sparklings from the healthy chamber." And soon, three more little ones joined their brother – 3 precious femmes.
"Are they heathy?" Aquaformer asked, needing to know.
"They will be fine, and so willOptimus once I solder him, update his antivirus programming and put him on an energon drip" Ratchet answered. Aquaformer was relieved. "Aren't you going to name them?"
"Oh we will, once Optimus returns to his baseline" Aquaformer replied, I obvious relief. Ratchet smiled and nodded, set up what he needed two and the left the two alone to rest. He knew they needed each other now more than ever.