Another chappy for you guys and I hope you enjoy.
Title: The Times of Life
Chapter: Chapter 4
Fandom: Transformers (Movies)
Disclaimer: I do not any of the characters but I do own the plot bunny. Transformers does not belong to me although I wish it did.
Pairings: Ratchet/Sam
Rating: PG 13 for now but may become NC-17 later.
Summery: A life changing event that leaves Sam helpless and depressed where only a certain CMO can bring him comfort; or so he really hopes since it is his secret love...
Chapter Summery: Sam has a talk with the Primes that leaves him with the secret of their gift and an uncertain furture; his heart calls out to Ratchet.
"Ratchet? I'm scared." Sam muttered as he observed the large ship in front of him; the ARK painted on the side as all the other earth bound Autobots observed and chatted happily about the new landing. Sam kept as close to Ratchet as possible as Optimus trailed ahead to enter the enormous ship. A few joors ago they had received word that one of the Autobots main military ships had entered the earth's orbit and was preparing to descend to a location disclosed by Optimus. Sam remembered waking from a comfortable recharge to the newly constructed NEST Base alarm blaring as they tracked the movements of the ARK. Frightened at the approach of Autobots he had never met...
"Sam, come." Ratchet encouraged the youngest Autobot, a protective servo resting on the small bot's shoulder plate as he steered Sam ahead. Their spark connection flaring as they approached; one side encouragingly calm and the other shimmering in and out between fear and anxiety. Sam was really afraid, no one knew him and he didn't know anyone plus he was extremely small for a Cybertronian. So much so that he could get stepped on if he was not careful. The anxiety was overwhelming, for the first time since Sam remembered what it was like to be human he, was afraid. A silent thank you was sent to his beloved as he literally clung to Ratchet's stabilizing servo. The normal Witwicky courage had fled and was replaced by a nervous sparkling...
"I am Optimus Prime; designation Autobot Commander. State your designations." Optimus' baritone was the voice that dragged Sam from his memory relapses he had every now and then. Cybertronian coming easily to him as it was a language he was 'reborn' with. He clung tighter to Ratchet as they advanced into the large ship, Sam's emerald optics observing and detailing all the equipment it observed. He frowned when he did not understand half of the equipment only to freeze as he felt several weapons train on him. A whimper escaping him as he slipped behind Ratchet and could hoped that his beloved would forgive him for using the larger Medic as a shield. Shuddering lightly as he knew he was weapon less and only a trained junior medic and no equipment to aid him in a fight.
"Stand down you fraggers, he's not a threat!" yelled Ratchet and Sam laid his head on Ratchet's knee joints; his green chevron scraping against the metal lightly. A series of clicks originated from Ratchet and Sam tentatively peeked around the larger Autobot's stabilizing servos, a multitude of optics trained on him as he struggled with an Energon blush that settled over his cheek plates. Ratchet's spark pulsing in time with his in a comforting gesture and Sam stepped forward; Emerald optics downcast and pedes shuffling against the metal of the Ark shyly.
"Right," countered Optimus as he proceeded to listen to those gathered; drawing all the attention away from the shy Sam. A deep voice filled Sam's optics and his eyes immediately turned towards the white Cybertronian, his colouring reminding Sam a lot of Barricade and instantly he recalled some of his worst memories and forced himself to shutter his optics and only listen. Ratchet's servo rubbing gentle circles across his neck cabling that had him at the older 'bot's mercy completely.
"Prowl reporting; designation Second in Command and now travelling with only four Autobot's to survive the attacks and scouting." Prowl stated and kept his optics trained on the youngling clinging to Ratchet's stabilizing servos. His weapon never far from his reach. Never had he heard of or seen a mech with green optics and most likely an emerald green spark as well. Never even counting the fact that the 'bot seemed younger than Bumblebee and the yellow Autobot was known to be the last of the Cybertronian race to be sparked before the loss of the All Spark. Something about this little green seeker did not feel right and he was going to make sure he could do the right thing to protect his comrades.
"Hound reporting." A bulky green mech declared as each took their turn for introduction. Voices rang out, names claiming to be Trailbreaker, Red Alert, Mirage and finally:
"Designation Wheeljack; chief engineer." Ratchet froze as his attention was drawn towards the 'bot that had spoken. He felt an inquiring ping from Sam as the seeker noticed his sudden rigid posture. He tried to soothe his nerves as he tugged Sam closer to him. There were something's that little Sam was better off without knowing and he felt that this was one of them, but by the looks of it was going to be difficult to keep secret if Wheeljack was still the same old 'bot that Ratchet had known before landing on earth those many centuries ago. Four and half to be exact. He dared not flinch as Sam began hovering and eventually laid himself against Ratchet's spark chamber; content when arms wound around him and his position radiated comfort through their connection. It caused Ratchet to relax slightly as he held Sam close to him; optics shinning as Sam clicked in content and just stared at the gathered Autobot's from his perch in Ratchet's arms as if trying to become a part of Ratchet.
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"Prowl; if you don't stay still I am going to weld you to that berth." Ratchet warned as he went through an array of tools in search of the one he needed. After their debriefing all the Autobots had been sent for a medical examination; optics curiously following the miniature seeker as he bustled around Ratchet's Medic Bay; never suspecting that Sam was Ratchet's apprentice and much more.
"What is his story?" Prowl asked as he settled back against the berth, calculating optics following the Medic's movements carefully.
"Who's story?" Ratchet asked snappishly; warning Prowl of his overstepping the Cybertronian line of respect. Prowl's optics turned to the small seeker curled on the large tray where tools were cleared for him to recharge; he refused to leave Ratchet and didn't want to stray too far. So Sam had cleared a space and curled into a ball and fallen into recharge; Ratchet's fingers constantly brushing against him whilst the Medic worked was just a bonus.
"Sam's." Prowl tried again.
"Prime didn't inform you?" Ratchet asked, immediately clamming up. If there was something he hated telling anyone how it was on Sam Witwicky's funeral that he found the seekerling. He still remembered those palpable feelings as his spark attempted to rip itself apart by Sam's loss.
"No, he only informed us that he was found many vorns ago." Prowl said and looked at Ratchet, expecting a better answer.
"I'm afraid that you'll have to take that up with Optimus, Prowl. Sam's story will take an orn to explain to you and that has been made classified by Prime and me." Ratchet stated as he briskly finished his examination, the strategist's cold stare not one he liked to be scrutinized under at all. Prowl nodded and left Ratchet alone in his Med Bay as he felt his recharge berth calling for him. Ratchet was just about to leave his post when another's presence could be felt entering his Medic Bay.
~
"Ratchet, I've missed you." Ratchet froze as that voice registered and strong arms encircled him from behind.
"Wheeljack, please, let go." The engineer's head fins flashed between blue and purple as he tightened his hold; Ratchet squirmed and tried desperately to get out of the strong grip. His spark calling out for Sam and not the mech behind him.
"NOW!" He yelled, losing his temper. Which was what caused Ratchet to race towards Sam where he was curled up and picked him up; his need to protect Sam strong enough to move him into action. Wheeljack seemed unfazed as he approached the defensive Medic and backed Ratchet up into a corner. Ratchet swore as he sought for a way out only when his optics flashed upward did he catch Wheeljack's gaze of possessiveness and it frightened him. A distressed ping sent over his private comm. connection as he brought Sam closer to his spark chamber.
"Do you remember our parting words Ratch?" Wheeljack asked as he stepped forward; his mouth plates mere inches from Ratchet's. Ratchet pulled back and carelessly banged his head against the steel wall and hissed as his optics blurred for a bit.
"You said that if we were to survive, we were to get constellation bound. Baring the fact that we didn't find our bond mates or died." Wheeljack recalled and Ratchet pulled himself to his full height.
"Wheeljack, you should know I've found my spark mate and I already promised myself to him." Ratchet murmured and cringed when mouth plates crashed harshly against his as the mask Wheeljack usually wore retracted.
"Stop evading me, I know you don't have a spark mate. There is no one here who is compatible to you." Wheeljack declared as his anger flared; not understanding why Ratchet refused his advances when in the past they were considered close lovers. His optics was turned towards the green seeker in Ratchet's arms and how content the youngling looked only to frown when Ratchet shielded Sam from his optics and glared at Wheeljack.
"I have. Now leave us alone before you cause more trouble." Ratchet insisted and found his processors reeling as he was shoved hard against the wall. Trying desperately to shield Sam from harm; he could already feel Sam stirring from the movements and tried to calm Sam's now spiking spark pulse he knew so well. It only happened during his worst memory recalls. Ratchet bit his mouth plates as revulsion spilled through him; his spark denying the contact that Wheeljack wanted to initiate.
"Problems here Ratchet?" Ironhide asked as he walked into the room, he had received an urgent comm. from Optimus asking him to see if Ratchet was alright. His cannons started pulsing as he heard the medic's cry of pain and what sounded like him hitting the wall hard. He frowned when he saw Wheeljack's head fins blazing a deep red, his anger rolling off him in waves. However the engineer stepped back and left the Med Bay; leaving the normally composed Medic in disarray. His servos clutching his spark mate close to him. Ironhide stepped closer and motioned for Bumblebee to help, he was never good with the emotional things but he knew the Medic was close to breaking point and his desperate movements to ensure Sam's safety was an indication of a threat to their bond that he was desperately trying to protect.
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"Ratchet? Come. We need to get you out of here." Bumblebee muttered as he helped the larger 'bot to his feet and moved towards the Medic's quarters not situated far from the Med Bay. Optics flashing towards Ironhide as he signalled his beloved to follow him; they were going to need to watch over Ratchet as Bumblebee knew the effects a mech experienced if something was threatening a spark bond. Sam's whimpers the first sign that it was setting in; they needed to get them isolated.
"Ironhide, I've got them settled. But you must inform Prime." Bumblebee said as he emerged from the Medic's quarters for a brief period of time. His processors whirring fast as he sought out a possible solution.
"Their effects are worse than mine were that time you were taken by Megatron and I think it's because they have yet to be bonded completely in a Constellation Bond. It may take Ratchet a while before he is coherent enough to return to his post." Bumblebee warned as he turned on his pedes to go back into the quarters.
~
"Sam, Sam. Are you okay?" Ratchet questioned frantically as he noticed emerald green optics coming online to stare at his own blue optics. Love penetrated through their link as it pulsed much more strongly than before and even the few centimetres of distance were tugging at Sam's spark as he moved closer. He needed Ratchet's warmth and he needed it now.
"I feel weird Ratchet." Sam whispered as he felt Energon tears spilling from his optics; whines spilling from his vocalizer as he clung to Ratchet. His spark hurt so much and the emotional overflow was causing him great distress and so he clung to Ratchet. After a while he became aware of the sharing of emotions as Ratchet's own softly cried tears dropped steadily onto his helm. He turned his helm up and crawled upward as he buried his helm into Ratchet's neck cables; needing to feel his spark mate and needing comfort as well and Ratchet's own distress was scarring him.
"I'll be okay Ratchet." Sam whispered as his intakes hitched in his own distress and he placed a chaste kiss on Ratchet's mouth plates. It stopped Ratchet's flow of tears to only a few trickles and out of a tenderness that he didn't know where it came from, Sam lent up and lapped up at the Energon tears. The intimate gesture making Ratchet's intakes hitch as his sadness and distress faded marginally. Leaning into the touch he felt himself shudder and shared a kiss with Sam; it was tinged with the taste of Energon tears and a strange sense of contentment that promised they would never be parted. The overwhelming feel of needing to connect was creeping up on Ratchet but he reeled it in; it was at least a vorn until their constellation was at its strongest and Optimus would be disappointed if a traditional Constellation Bond was not followed through with proper protocol.
"Soon, Sam. Soon." Ratchet murmured and Sam nodded; gave a lingering kiss and a ghosting touch before lying down again and settled into Ratchet's arms. The pain dulled a bit but not by much.
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"Optimus, we seem to have a problem." Ironhide murmured over his comm. as he contacted their leader as per Bumblebee's request. At those words, Ironhide heard a whispered curse as the Autobot Leader struggled to find his footing again.
"What problem? Is Ratchet hurt? And Sam is he alright?" Optimus could not deny that he was worried and Ironhide's words seemed to strike fear into his spark. He could not afford to lose two good Autobots because of a feud.
"Nothing is wrong with Ratchet and Sam. Bumblebee is with them now; he says that they might be out of their posts for a few days because of their spark connection's threat. But other than that they should be fine. I recommend however that we place watch at their quarters as Wheeljack seems determined to keep Ratchet for himself." Ironhide said, already heading back towards Ratchet's quarters. Letting out a sigh of relief as he saw Bumblebee standing outside on guard; a small secret smile shared between them as they stood next to one another and waited out the shift.
"Ironhide, I'll speak to Wheeljack in the morning. Keep watch tonight and if anything happens alert me immediately." Optimus said after a long silence as he worked out the best solution to this new problem...
Ironhide sighed and slid down the wall; his bulk comfortably resting between the floor and the wall. Bumblebee followed him and they curled together all the more alert to any presence close to the Medic's quarters. It was going to be a long night; which was already taking its toll on the younger Autobot.
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