Megatron smacked a blueprint of The Pits of Kaon down onto the table; the sound made those sitting there flinch. "I have a plan." He announced excitedly. Optimus noticed that there was a certain enthusiasm to him. Since it wasn't his mate's life on the line, this was little more than a game to him.

"Does it involve leading us into a trap?" Arcee questioned skeptically. "Maybe they wanted us to attempt another rescue. And how can you be so sure that they are in Kaon?"

"I would never forget that dungeon. They were in the main chamber, underground, beneath the ring, where the masters would schedule matches every night. The Pits offer good cover and cell space, I can understand why they chose to flee there." Megatron was too worked up to even sit down, pacing. "Kickback and Rumble have no reason to believe that any of you would recognize a private room in Kaon. They shouldn't know we're coming. Now, this rescue is going to be carefully planned. If we fail to catch them off guard, Ratchet's finished."

"Oh, do tell." Wheeljack muttered.

Optimus was impatient to hear what the warlord had to say. After his own failed attempt, he felt relieved to have such a brilliant strategist planning his mate's rescue. Megatron optics flashed as he paused and thought. "There are three entrances into the Pits. We ought to utilize that." He turned to face them. "Rumble is planning on contacting Optimus again tomorrow. In that time period, all three mechs involved are in one space, with Ratchet. That may be the best window for action."

"But if they are just standing there with Ratchet, won't they just hold him hostage when we move in, defeating the entire purpose?" Arcee pointed out.

"They would, if it was an Autobot approaching them." Megatron flashed a toothy smirk. "As far as we know, they are unaware of my involvement."

"Kickback had limited contact with them, only for emergencies, in the event that we intercepted the transmission." Optimus added with a nod.

"We'll provide them with two distractions. On one hand, they will be speaking to Optimus, their attention on him just long enough for me to enter the chamber, alone. They have no reason to believe that I am working alongside you. I will distract them until all of you are in a position to strike. By then, I will be close to Ratchet, and will intercept any attempts to utilize him while the attack commences." Megatron explained impatiently. "I will use the main entrance, while you all split yourselves between the other two." He pointed to the three ways into the dungeon. "Am I understood?"

"Won't they get defensive when you get all up in their business?" Wheeljack pulled out one of his katanas and a small block sharpener, working the blade quietly as he thought. "Rumble hasn't exactly spoken highly of you. Neither has Kickback. Do you think they'll welcome you in, all buddy buddy?"

The warlord's engines rumbled pleasantly. "I pray that you haven't forgotten my mastery of deception." He touched the purple insignia on his chest, smirking in a way he hadn't since the war. Optimus didn't miss it. "Have faith in my ability to stroke Rumble's ego until you all are ready."

The plan seemed well enough, but Optimus had one problem. "If I am interacting with Rumble via the feed, I cannot be present in the mission." He said slowly.

Megatron's optics locked on him. "If you are at home, behaving like normal, they won't have reason to suspect you." He spoke with little sympathy. "This is how it has to be. We want the best chance at surprising them."

Optimus didn't like that. He couldn't imagine handing Ratchet's safety over to Megatron. All this time, he had pictured himself saving his mate. "Megatron, I can't stand by while Ratchet is being saved." He argued.

"Do you want him back or not?" The warlord was impatient and snappy, hissing unpleasantly. "Optimus, I am running this operation. You handed the responsibility over to me when you asked me to find the mole. I will carry it until it has been resolved. Step aside and allow me to do so."

"I think you being on the feed with Rumble will be helpful. We'll know exactly where they are, and their attention will be on you." Wheeljack put in, not looking at Optimus as he sharpened his blade.

Bulkhead and Arcee hesitantly nodded.

Sighing, Optimus leaned back in his chair. "Very well." He uttered quietly.

"We leave in the early hours of the morning. We are two mechs short, I need you all to make up for that." Megatron addressed the others. "If possible, I want Bumblebee." He said to Knock Out.

"I'll do a wellness check right now." The medic replied, rising from his seat.

"Megatron," Optimus tried not to react as Bulkhead addressed Megatron instead of him. "Will we be taking prisoners?"

The warlord thought for a moment. Optimus bit his glossa, holding his own values in. "A new era of peace is beginning, and these mechs have done their best to tear it down. I believe that they do not fit into Cybertron's next stage." He answered, not bothering to look at Optimus. "We will take no prisoners."

At three in the morning sharp, Wheeljack drove Ultra Magnus' ship off towards the horizon, in the direction of Kaon. Inside were Megatron, Bulkhead, Knock Out, Arcee, Smokescreen.

Optimus waited at home, pacing, crying, painting, desperately trying to fill his free time until Rumble called. After two hours of being on his pedes stressing, he forced himself to take a seat in the nursery. He clutched a soft yellow blanket to his chest, running his digits through the fabric. It had a beautiful design of the Matrix of Leadership, with an electrocardiogram line running in the background, symbolism for both he and Ratchet. A kind mech had made it for their sparkling.

He traced the line thoughtfully. He wondered what his sparkling would be like. Would they follow in his mate's footsteps, and become a doctor, or branch off in a different direction? Would they receive special treatment from others because of their bloodline? Would they end up more like Orion Pax?

There were so many possibilities, and he felt excited. The future held so much promise. As long as Megatron succeeded in saving Ratchet.

Ratchet's pedes were still horribly burnt and incapable of supporting his weight; Thundercracker and Skywarp had to carry him. For this call, he had been tied down to a berth, servos above his helm. As usual, he tested the cuffs and braced against them for a few moments, while Thundercracker warned him to be still. Skywarp made certain he couldn't spit the rag out of his mouth in any way before Rumble called Optimus. Most of this was routine. Rumble always paced excitedly, and Thundercracker often sipped a hot cube of energon while they waited.

The datapad was propped up, ready for the call.

Most of this was like clockwork.

"Ready, Mama-bot?" Rumble stood on the tips of his pedes to glimpse Ratchet on the table. The medic ignored him, promptly sighing.

The feed began, and Optimus answered instantly. It seemed he had been waiting. He was sitting in the empty conference room on the Nemesis, anxiously fiddling with his servos. Ratchet had always found it cute when he was nervous. His spark ached for the mech's smile, he hadn't seen it in so long.

"Good morning, Lover-bot." Rumble greeted happily.

"Rumble." Optimus clasped his servos to still them. "In regards to your final demand, we have located the Predacons, and successfully hunted the majority. The only one remaining is Predaking."

"Well!" The small mech beamed, clapping. "Bravo, Prime. I've got to say, I didn't think you'd come this far. You must love your mate."

"Have you treated him well?" Optimus' optics met Ratchet's, and they softened.

"Oh, we bind him with the finest chains credits can buy, we gently drag him from his cell each morning. . ." Skywarp joked, pinching Ratchet's cheek rather roughly. He jerked his helm away with a quiet whine. "You're enjoying your stay, aren't you, Little Autobot?"

"I want to arrange our rendezvous." Optimus said evenly. "The final deadline is approaching. I will hand over the dark energon, and Predaking, and you'll return Ratchet to me."

"Oh, be patient, Lover-bot. We've got other stuff to talk about." Rumble waved dismissively. "Like how you blew us off yesterday."

"I was seeing to-"

"Quiet, quiet. All you must do now is watch. Forgive me, but I have to make certain that you'll understand the consequences of doing it again." Whenever Rumble had a malicious thought, his visor flashed. Ratchet shivered as it glinted, Rumble's helm turning to face him.

He jolted as Skywarp's claws rested on his sparkchamber, ghosting over the plating. Slowly, Skywarp walked along the side of the berth, dragging his talons down Ratchet's chest, his stomach, his leg, all the way down to his pedes. His ventilations hitched as the seeker gripped his ankle with one servo, the other penetrating the gnarly burn wounds on his pede with his sharp digits, slowly dragging downward, slicing through the wounded metal. Ratchet shouted into the gag, throwing his helm back and snapping his knee upward to free his ankle. Skywarp's grip remained steadfast, and Thundercracker moved forward to hold his knees down. His muffled screams echoed through the empty dungeon as Skywarp started a new gash.

"Stop, you don't have to hurt him." Optimus was gripping the table now. "Please."

Ratchet was whimpering and shaking his helm as Skywarp flicked fresh energon off of his digits. "Another, Rumble?"

"Yes, one more." The small mech nodded approvingly. "Three is a good number."

Just as Skywarp's talons dug in to make the final gash, there was the steady sound of approaching pedesteps. The trio froze, optics wide as they looked at one another. "Who. . ." Thundercracker released Ratchet's legs to activate his cannon, whirling around to face the doorway.

A tall figure stood there, servos clasped behind his back. Ratchet nearly short circuited as Megatron strode into the room. "Well, how interesting." He rumbled inquisitively.

"Megatron," Optimus exclaimed.

"Megatron!" Rumble sputtered.

Skywarp and Thundercracker were silent.

"My, Doctor. What a compromising state you are in." The warlord's lips pulled into a smirk as he approached slowly. "What have these Decepticons done to you?"

"What are you doing here?" Rumble crossed his arms. "You abandoned the Decepticon cause."

"I was simply scavenging nearby, when I heard the most agonizing screams." Megatron replied in a way that made Ratchet shiver. "I am glad that I came to investigate. How else would I discover that Optimus Prime's lapdog is sparked?"

"Stay away from him!" Optimus barked helplessly.

"It's yours, isn't it, Prime? I've always had suspicions that the pair of you were mates." Megatron chuckled. "And look at you, Rumble. Leading a hostage operation, all on your own. You certainly have changed, haven't you?"

"Yes, well. . ." Rumble laughed nervously. "You have too."

"Though, my thirst for vengeance remains unchanging." Megatron's crimson optics darkened. He came to a halt at the berthside, smirking down at Ratchet. "What an opportunity." Ratchet cowered, protesting into the gag as his claws slipped around his throat.

"Megatron, do not touch him! Your quarrel is with me!" Voice raising, Optimus shouted in panic.

"Precisely, Prime. And he is a part of you, isn't he?" Megatron spared a malicious look to the camera.

"Now hold on a moment, Megatron." Rumble tapped his pede anxiously. "The medic is our bounty, and we are holding him for a ransom. We can't let you jeopardize that."

"I understand, Rumble. I will not terminate him." The warlord gave a threatening squeeze, and Ratchet whimpered. "I am impressed with what you've done, I will not put your operation at risk. However, I expect you to understand that this is an opportunity I cannot let slip away." He regarded Rumble respectfully.

The small mech thought for a moment. "I wasn't really planning on-" He jolted as Megatron's blade slid out from it's sheath.

Ratchet flinched, inching away from the warlord. Megatron pressed the tip of the blade to his cheek, grinning.

"Megatron, no!"

"Well, it's fine, I guess," Rumble squeaked.

And then, with unparalleled speed, Megatron whirled around, slashing his blade downwards, through Thundercracker's chest plating. Energon splattered as the seeker shrieked, gasping and stumbling backwards. "Thundercracker!" Skywarp exclaimed, lunging forward, only to be sent back by blaster fire.

Ratchet yelped as Megatron's frame shielded him from the incoming attack as the Autobots poured in, rapidly firing at the trio of Decepticons. Thundercracker was on the ground, gagging on his own energon, bleeding profusely, already well on his way to offlining. Rumble ducked behind a pillar, screeching shrilly, and Skywarp stood his ground, firing at the invaders.

"It's alright, Old Friend!" He heard Optimus call.

Megatron turned to him, and he tensed. "Stay calm." The warlord hissed, slashing at his restraints. Ratchet pulled free and sat up, ripping the gag from his mouth. "Stay down!" Megatron barked, pushing him back and firing at Skywarp as the seeker attempted a sneaky shot, before being struck down by Smokescreen.

Bulkhead had ended Thundercracker's slow demise, and Arcee and Smokescreen had managed to shoot enough holes in Skywarp that he wasn't much of a threat anymore, crumbling and gasping. Megatron delivered a swift swipe of his blade, ending that there. "Come out, Rumble." He snarled. "It's your turn."

"I don't understand!" The small mech cried from behind the pillar. "Why are you working for Optimus, how did you find us!"

Ratchet had sat up again, and was clutching his own chest in shock. Everything had happened so fast. "Ratchet!" Smokescreen exclaimed happily.

"Don't worry Doc, we'll have you home in no time." Wheeljack smiled at him warmly.

"What the frag just happened," Ratchet sputtered.

Arcee stepped forward. "We'll handle Rumble, get Ratchet to Knock Out." She said to Megatron. When the warlord flashed her a disapproving look, she reasoned, "He can't walk, and you're the only one big enough to carry him."

Megatron sighed, his blade sliding under his cannon. As the Autobots moved in to corner Rumble, Megatron approached Ratchet. The medic scooted away from him, distrust flashing in his optics. "I'm going to take you to Optimus." He said sternly. "I'm not here to harm you." Without letting Ratchet answer, he easily scooped him up, ignoring the yelp of surprise. "Knock Out," he said over the com. "I have Ratchet, I'm bringing him to the ship now. Be ready."

Optimus was pacing on the landing deck of the Nemesis, chewing on his lip and crossing his arms so tight it hurt. Bumblebee was standing quietly, leaning on a cane for support. The fight with the Predacon had damaged his knee joints rather badly, and he needed the support for the healing process. "They'll be back soon." He reassured.

Optimus nodded, not halting his pacing. He had watched Megatron carry Ratchet out of the dungeon. He knew that the trio had been killed. Even still, he was anxious.

There was the hum of a ship, and through the thick clouds, Ultra Magnus' ship dipped down and lowered onto the landing deck, engines hissing as they deactivated. Optimus hurriedly approached as the platform lowered. Megatron stepped out first, Ratchet sitting stiffly in his arms. Relief hit Optimus in a huge wave, enough to rattle him from the impact. He moved forward to meet Megatron, unashamed of the tears welling up in his optics.

"Optimus," Ratchet murmured, optics widening at the sight of him. He shifted in Megatron's hold, eager to leave it for his mate. Megatron wordlessly passed Ratchet over to Optimus.

The Prime took his mate into his arms, sighing in relief as he touched him for the first time in over a month. "Ratchet. . ." He whispered, voice cracking. He turned his back to those stepping out of the ship, saving his pride, moving towards the entrance. Tears had made it down his cheeks as he pressed his forehelm to Ratchet's.

His mate's gentle servos brushed his helm, and he had to slow down to avoid tripping. "Sweetspark, don't cry," Ratchet whispered softly, "Primus, you're going to make me start."

"You're safe now, I've got you." Optimus' voice was shaky and weak. He was saying this more to himself than Ratchet. "I've got you." He repeated.

"I wasn't sure I'd ever see you again." The medic pulled his helm back, wiping Optimus' tears away with his thumbs. "I missed you so fragging much." He laughed softly. "Oh, Primus, Optimus. . ." He cupped Optimus' face, peppering his forehelm with kisses. "I've had to wait a month to kiss your handsome face."

The Prime stopped for a moment, swallowing the tension in his throat and sighing happily as Ratchet pressed kisses to his face. Bumblebee stood aside, awkwardly trying not to watch. Optimus almost broke into a sob when Ratchet finally found his lips, pecking him gently and laughing softly.

"You're all choked up for me. You're adorable." Optimus couldn't believe that his mate said that in front of anyone, and he hid his blush against Ratchet's neck.

"You two can make out as much as you want once he's out of the medbay, now get moving." Knock Out ordered from behind them. Ratchet relented with a sigh, letting his servos fall to his lap so he could be taken without distraction.

Optimus carried him to the medbay, Knock Out following behind. He carefully laid Ratchet onto a slab, and then took his servo, desperate to be touching him. "How fast will you be done?" He asked Knock Out.

"Well, he's got a nasty infection on his leg there, and his pedes will need lots of treatment." The red mech was collecting supplies. "And I need to check on the sparkling."

Ratchet wasn't paying much attention to what Knock Out was saying; he was pulling Optimus' servo to rest over his swollen middle. He rubbed Optimus' servo in a slow circle, applying light pressure, until the sparkling reacted, kicking at the touch. Optimus' ventilations stuttered, and his optics widened. "Was that-"

"Your sparkling? It was." Ratchet smiled up at him affectionately. "I've wanted you to feel that for so long."

Optimus wanted to cry again. He vented, pressing a kiss to Ratchet's forehelm. "I'm here for you now, Old Friend."