Later Optimus sat in front of the portal frame as he played with the wrench and waited for the team to come back. He was worried and wanted to help but Ratchet told him he couldn't go. He still didn't know why, he was their leader after all. He wanted to lead them. Maybe next time he could sneak away without the medic knowing.

He suddenly heard Miko scream and he jumped. The little Prime turned around and saw the girl by her speaker. She screamed again and jumped onto the speaker as a spider crawled to her. The sparkling narrowed his optics.

"Arachnid." He muttered and got up as he transformed his servos into cannons. "I'll save you Miko!" He shouted as he ran over. He took aim and fired at it several times. Miko yelled in surprise and took cover. Ratchet spun around optics wide as he heard the blasts.

"No Optimus!" He yelled and ran over to him. The sparkling stood in front of Miko and continued to shoot at the spider. Jack and Raf watched from the humans area, eyes wide.

After another shot he stopped and stared at the scorch mark where the spider had been. He smiled brightly and stood up straighter as he looked at Miko.

"Protecting all human life from Decepticons." He said seriously as he smiled. Ratchet sighed quietly and looked at all the scorch marks on the floor. At least he didn't hurt anything. He looked at the remains of the spider. Almost.

"Optimus you can't use those in here. You might hurt the kids." He said seriously and watched him transform his cannons back to servos.

"But I saved Miko." He said proudly and puffed out his chest chassis as he put his servos on his hips. The girl couldn't help but smile at him and walked over.

"And I thank you for that little Opie." She said and kissed his helm. He blushed with embarrassment and looked at the floor. Ratchet gave her a nasty look.

"Do you remember that threat?" He muttered as he glared at her.

"I didn't do anything wrong." She said innocently and pouted. The medic grumbled something and glanced at the little Prime. The sparkling was sitting by the scorch mark and poking it. Ratchet sighed in exasperation and walked away to the computer.

A little later the others returned with energon and Optimus was told he had to stay on the berth as the bots worked. He did as he played with his wrench but then got bored. He jumped down and ran over to Bumblebee as the scout carried some cubes. Optimus walked along side him and reached for him.

"Bee carry me!" He said as he smiled happily. Bumblebee wasn't sure how he was going to do that, but didn't want to say no.

Bulkhead chuckled softly and took the scouts load before walking off. The young bot picked up the little sparkling and put him on his shoulders. The sparkling giggled happily and held on as he walked around. The scout paused at the scorch marks and furrowed his optic ridges.

"Look Bee! Look!" The sparkling said excitedly as he pointed to one. Bumblebee crouched down to look at the mark he pointed to. 

"I shot Arachnid." He whispered quietly. "She was trying to hurt Miko." He said and glared at the spot. Bumblebee chuckled softly and looked at it. He found it interesting how the sparkling pronounced the girls name. It was kind of cute.

::Well... you did a good job protecting her.:: he beeped quietly and smiled slightly. The sparkling squealed happily and hugged his helm.

"I'm going to be a big bot one day like you." He said quietly and smiled. "I'll protect Miko, Jack and Raf. I'll be a great leader one day." He mumbled as he closed his optics. He was tired from the day's events. Bumblebee was quiet for a moment and stared at nothing in particular.

::You already are Optimus...:: he whirled sadly and stared at the floor. ::You're already our leader...:: he chirped quietly. He heard the little Prime breathing evenly as he fell asleep. Bumblebee carefully took him down and held him in his arms. Optimus didn't wake and smiled slightly in his sleep. The young bot felt tears fill his optics as he held the sparkling in his arms.

::You're just... forgetting... who you are.:: he chirped sadly and hugged him close as he rested his forehelm against the little ones. Bumblebee felt a few tears fall down his faceplate. The sparkling continued to sleep peacefully as the scouts tears fell on his little cheeks.

~

Later that night Ratchet was working quietly and trying to finish the cure for Optimus. He sighed forcefully and rubbed his faceplate tiredly. He gripped the console and hung his helm.

"Come on you old bot." He muttered to himself and closed his optics for a moment. He sighed forcefully and soon unintentionally, fell into recharge. He was awakened by a scream of pure terror. He jumped and looked to the hall, optics wide.

"Optimus." He gasped and ran to the sparklings room. The others had awakened as well as the little Prime screamed and cried. Ratchet opened the door as the team stood behind him. The sparkling was sitting on his berth as he huddled in one corner.

"Sire! Sire please help me!" The sparkling sobbed uncontrollably as he reached for the medic. Ratchet hesitated and walked over to him.

"Optimus..." he whispered as he crouched by the berth. "I'm... I'm not your-" the sparkling hugged him tightly around the neck cables as he cried. The others stared and Ratchet just waited for him to calm down. After a few minutes the sparkling let go and rubbed his optics.

"Can you tell me what happened?" He asked quietly and the little Prime nodded vigorously as he sniffed sadly.

"M-M-Megatron..." he gasped as he started to get worked up again.

"Shh shh shh... he isn't here." The medic muttered and the sparkling looked at the shadows. Bumblebee motioned for the others to help him. They searched the room slowly to help him feel better.

"Un-under.... under..... under.... m-m-my... ber-rth." He stuttered as he got worked up again. Bumblebee walked over and thought for a moment. He looked where the little Prime said and aimed his cannon around.

::Megatron! Get out of here!:: he beeped angrily, yet playfully and crawled under. The others watched him as if he was crazy. Smokescreen walked over.

"Uh... Bee? I don't think-"

"Ep ep ep." Ratchet muttered as he shot him a look. The medic jerked his helm towards the sparkling who was watching the scout intently. Bumblebee grunted as if he was pulling on something.

::Ah ha! Thought you could get away!:: he chirped and crawled out. They watched him quietly as he held his servos together. He crouched by Ratchet as he grinned happily.

::Optimus. I present to you... Megatron.:: he whirled, he opened his servos as he said the last word. A dazzed rat sat in his palm. The sparkling stared optics wide. The others looked at each other then to the scout.

"Again... Bee I really don't think-"

"How'd you do that?!" The sparkling asked as he poked it.

::A wizard never reveals his secrets... or did Raf say it was a magician?:: he whirled as he furrowed his optic ridges. Bulkhead chuckled softly and shook his helm a little.

"What should we do with him Optimus?" The wrecker asked as he played along. The sparkling glared at the rat then pouted before pointing at the door.

"Put him in a corner until he can beehive himself." He said seriously. Bumblebee nodded once and took the poor creature out of the room.

"Alright Optimus back to recharge." Arcee muttered as she rubbed her faceplate tiredly. Ratchet stood up and walked to the door. The sparkling whimpered quietly and watched him go.

"Sire?" He asked quietly. "Are you mad?" He whispered as tears filled his optics. The medic stopped suddenly and looked back at him. The others watched quietly unsure what to do. He just stood there for a few minutes.

"Optimus..." he mumbled and looked at him. He was about to say something about him not being his sire when he saw something. He furrowed his optic ridges and walked back over. He crouched by him and gently gripped his helm.

"What's wrong?" Arcee asked quietly and the medic shook his helm slowly. Bumblebee came back and stood by the others.

"Optimus... do you know who I am?" Ratchet asked quietly. The sparkling gave him a funny look then smiled brightly.

"Of course I do. You're my sire." He said proudly and grinned happily. The room was silent and the medic felt his spark breaking.

"No... I mean... not who you think I am... do you know... really know who I am?" He asked gently. The little Prime giggled and looked at the others then him.

"You're funny sire." He said quietly and yawned. The medic felt tears fill his optics as he realized they were losing him.

"Optimus... it's me... Ratchet... your best friend. I'm not your sire.... I'm your friend." He whispered as he choked back a sob. The sparkling shook his helm and yawned as he lay down.

"I... don't know... a Ratchet." He muttered as he closed his optics and fell into recharge.

The medic hung his helm and bit his lip as he fought his tears. After a few minutes he silently stood and walked out of the room. The others watched him go then glanced at the sparkling.

Had they completely lost him?