A pestered growl emitted from Ratchet, sending an agitated look Optimus's way with narrowed optics. "Optimus knock it off," he muttered, returning his gaze to the device he was constructing. His mate smirked and continued to nuzzle him from behind and hug him, making it rather hard to focus on the complicated programming he was attempting to master. "Optimus..." He whined as Optimus purred and gave his neck a nip.

"But I just want to love you and cuddle you," the Prime mumbled into his mate's neck, wrapping his arms around his waist and tanks and hugging him tight. "Your so loveable..."

Ratchet's lips curved into a smile, and he relaxed, sighing and leaning against Optimus, allowing him to continue to kiss his neck and jawline, ever so often giving a gentle nip or bite, engines rumbling affectionately. "I am trying to work, you know." The medic murmured after a few minutes, turning his helm to glimpse his mate.

"You've been working on it for hours... You need a break." Optimus replied, kissing his cheek, and slowly pulling him away from the device. He earned a huff from his mate.

"But I need to get this constructed," Ratchet argued, turning to face Optimus, to find himself hugged close to Optimus's chest, in the warmth of his hold. "Optimus..." He whined, but relaxed and snuggled up to him.

Optimus smiled, laying a gentle kiss to his lips before pulling away and taking his servo. "Come on," he said softly, pulling him towards the hallway. Ratchet followed slowly, raising an optic ridge.

"Where?" He asked.

"In here," Optimus replied simply as he opened their berthroom door, and stepped aside for his mate to enter. Ratchet sent him a skeptical look and stepped inside, complying without a word, and standing in the middle of the room. He stared at Optimus expectantly.

"Well...?"

"I just figured you could use some time away from working on that machine, that's all..." Optimus purred, slipping his servos around Ratchet's hips and pulling his mate's frame against his. "And I wanted some time with you..." He kissed Ratchet's jawline playfully, and nibbled when Ratchet gave a small laugh of content. "My perfect mate..." The Prime cooed, before claiming his lips in a passionate kiss. Ratchet wrapped his servos around his mate's neck, kissing right back, before gasping in surprise when he felt a small pinch on his aft.

"Optimus!" He glared at the Prime, pulling away. "Above the equator, you sly fragger." Rolling his optics, he muttered, yet an amused smile formed on his lips. Optimus smirked, backing up and sitting down on the edge of the berth, beckoning for his mate to follow. Heaving a sigh, Ratchet approached, and climbed into the Prime's lap, as strong servos once again took his hips and pulled him in close. They again kissed, this time more fierce. Optimus flicked his glossa along Ratchet's lower lip, requesting entrance, which Ratchet denied playfully, chuckling into the kiss. With a growl of agitation, Optimus took Ratchet and gently threw him down onto the berth beneath him, before sliding his servo once again over his aft, now biting at his lip softly, this time demanding entrance. Ratchet parted his lips and allowed Optimus's glossa to slide against his, giving a mewl of affection.

"Mine," Optimus growled possessively and deeply, breaking the kiss for only a second before continuing it, smiling when he heard a whine escape Ratchet when his servo joined the other on his aft. His glossa tangled with Ratchet's for a moment, earning a soft moan from the medic, who allowed his mate's servos to travel over his aft and hips, placing his own on Optimus's chestplates and gently running the tips of his digits down the soft metal. They continued like this for a few minutes, both getting lost into it, thus didn't notice the presence of another Autobot in the room, standing in the doorway.

Bumblebee stared, unsure of what to do, optics wide with shock and confusion. Seeing your leader pinning your medic down and... mauling him was an extremely new concept. It was about thirty seconds later, when Ratchet had turned his helm as Optimus began viciously biting at his neck and upper chest, and saw Bumblebee in the doorway. He squeaked in alarm and pushed Optimus's helm away, who whined in complaint, but turned and froze when he noticed their guest. A blush became clearly visible on Ratchet's cheeks, and Optimus immediately got off of him, biting his bottom lip.

"B-Bumblebee," he choked out, struggling to regain his posture, his voice shaken. "What h-have you come for?" Ratchet stood up, still blushing like mad, and hugging himself subconsciously.

::Er... we received a message from the Nemesis, S-Sir...:: The scout explained shakily, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

Optimus stiffened. That couldn't be good. Sending his mate a worried look, he followed Bumblebee down the hall, Ratchet right behind him, and into the main hangar. The rest of the Autobots all stood around the monitors, or semi monitors, Ratchet hadn't finished coding them, all wearing worried expressions. Samuel walked up to the railing, a grim look on his face.

"Optimus," he greeted, in a rather unwelcoming manner. "Megatron wants something from you." He glanced at Ratchet, lips tightening into a sad frown. Growing concerned and curious, Optimus pushed through the others, and scanned the screen. His spark dropped to the floor when he read and processed upon the message the warlord had sent him.

Dearest Optimus,
Yes, it is me again, old friend. I am still troubled by what you did to me way back when, and I still wish to have my revenge. But, now, I not only have to exact revenge on you, I must do so on your medic, for spoiling my plans. Rest assured, I will not kill him. I actually need him.

Now, I don't know if you are aware of this, but I have the location of your base and haven. I currently have all weapons of the ship locked on, and have ambushes waiting hidden outside. You cannot see me, for I have upgraded the ship's cloaking devices, but I am there, and I will spare all of your lives if you comply to my one simple demand:

Give me the medic.

Meet me at the coordinates that are attached to this message and give him to me, and I will back down without complaint. Come alone, just you and your precious mate. See you soon, if you have the spark to save your team.

~ Megatron

Optimus's servos clenched into fists, and he grit his denta hard, fury slipping across the bond, worrying Ratchet slightly, who hadn't read the message yet. "No..." The Prime murmured, narrowing his optics with hate. "Anything but this..."

"What?" Ratchet asked, touching his shoulder, an worried look in his optics. "What did Megatron say?" Optimus didn't look at him; he couldn't face him... Megatron wanted him to willingly hand his mate so he could use him for his cruel purposes. He couldn't just do that! But, if he didn't, all the Autobots would be killed, along with Lightswipe and the humans within the base. Megatron really played his cards right this time... the question was: Was Optimus a better mate or a leader?

"Optimus, prepare for departure." Samuel spoke up, crossing his arms, a sigh escaping his lips. "We'll await your return."

The Prime turned on him, gritting his denta. "What? I'm not going to just surrender him!" He sent his mate a sad look. "I can't let Megatron capture him again."

"You have to!" The soldier hissed, pointing a finger at him. "Or we're all going to die, do you understand? Now get going!" At that moment, Ratchet pushed past Optimus and read the message, curious. His optics widened.

"I-I..." He stuttered, unsure of what to say or do. This couldn't be happening... it was too soon. He just recovered from his last kidnapping, he couldn't already be jerked back into this.

"I won't surrender you, Ratchet..." Optimus murmured, turning to him, a twinge of hurt traveling across the bond.

The medic thought for a moment. He couldn't allow the others to offline... he couldn't allow Lightswipe to offline so early on in her life. The only way they'd live was if he was turned over to Megatron. "Optimus..." He whispered, gazing up at him sadly. "You have to do it. It's the only way..."

"No!" Optimus said firmly, shaking his helm. "I refuse!"

"You have to." Ratchet argued. "You can't let your team be killed, Optimus!" The Prime growled.

"Do you have any idea what he'll do to you?" He pressed, gesturing to the screen. "I can't put you through the torture he obviously has planned for you. What if Palladium gets to you, or they put another chip in your spark?"

"That's not as important as the lives that will be taken if you don't comply!" His mate sighed, biting his lower lip. "Optimus... you have to. It's your job as the leader."

"He's right, Optimus." Samuel agreed, earning an angry look from the Prime.

Cliffjumper slowly strode to Ratchet's side, and placed a servo on his shoulder. "Ratchet, are you sure?" He asked softly.

"I... I'm positive." The medic nodded slightly, inhaling deeply. "It's the only way out of this..."

The red mech turned to face Optimus. "He chooses to do it, Optimus. It isn't your place to stop him."

"It most certainly is!" The Prime argued, pain rolling off of him rapidly. "I-"

Ratchet cut him off. "Optimus, we'll debate on the way." He grabbed his mate's servo and led him to the entrance of the base, wincing at the hurt coming from his mate. "We need to do this now." Optimus sighed, but allowed him to lead the way outside, and in the direction of the coordinates. They left the base without another word to the others, both with pained expressions.

"Ratchet..." Optimus whimpered after a few minutes of walking in silence. "I can't do this... I can't let you go." His voice shook heavily... Ratchet looked back at him with a sorrowful gaze.

"It's alright, Optimus." He replied softly. "I... I can handle it..." There was another long period of silence, as they entered the canyons, now a bit far from their base. It took a while before they entered a deep canyon that stretched far, just as it was getting dark. Optimus moved closer to Ratchet when the Nemesis came into view, parked on the rocky ground. Megatron stood, waiting patiently, and smirking when he noticed them.

"Ah, fancy seeing you here," he chuckled darkly, flexing his claws eagerly and tilting his helm with a sly smirk. Ratchet sighed, spark speeding up slightly. He inwardly begged himself to relax, that everything would be find. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't convince his panicking spark that was true. Not while he'd be in this twisted Warlord's hold.

"Megatron, I-" Optimus began, but he was cut off abruptly.

"Ah," Megatron silenced him with a scolding look. "Spare the necessities, Optimus, and hand over the medic. That is the reason your here, after all." He smirked at Ratchet. "Good to see you, by the way."

"Oh, spare me." Ratchet muttered, keeping his voice low so the warlord wouldn't hear him. "Jackaft..."

"Megatron, I refuse to comply to such a command," Optimus said, evenly and powerfully, a hint of anger in his tone. That anger was sensed across the bond almost immediately. "Not while I know he will be in harm's way."

Megatron sighed heavily. "I thought you'd say that..." His smirk only grew, his gaze locking onto Ratchet. The medic was about to say something when suddenly, a pair of servos roughly grabbed him by the waist and yanked him backwards, catching him off guard. A surprised yelp escaped him, as his wrists were forced together in front of him and cuffed, clawed digits scraping against him as his captor forcefully took him into custody. Optimus turned around immediately and activated a blaster, pointing it at the 'Con, optics narrowing and a fierce look coming to his faceplate.

"Let him go!" He growled, clicking his weapon into gear. Ratchet tugged at his bound wrists, and attempted to squirm away from the form that held him, whimpering quietly as the cuffs cut into his wrists, almost to the point of drawing energon,

His captor ignored the Prime and dragged Ratchet towards Megatron, before easily tossing him to the ground at his master's peds, who chuckled and gazed down at him, a sinister look in his optics.

"Many thanks, Palladium." He nodded slowly. Ratchet stiffened and turned his helm to see the mech he'd grown to fear and dread, who was staring down at him coldly, lips tight in a frown.

"My pleasure, Lord Megatron " Palladium muttered, turning and striding to stand behind the warlord, sending dark glances at Ratchet every so often. Well aren't you the pleasant one, Ratchet thought as he looked away from the 'Con, turning his attention back to Optimus.

"Megatron..." The Prime said quietly, casting a worried look at his mate, slowly beginning to become fearful. "If any harm comes to him..." He trailed off.

The warlord scoffed. "Any harm that falls upon him will be the result of his own defiance," he waved a servo dismissively, before reaching down and jerking Ratchet to his peds forcefully. "My my," he chuckled, looking the medic over. "It's been what, a week since we have had you as a captive? We have some catching up to do."

"Don't you know when to stop?" Ratchet snapped, glaring up at him. "What are you possibly going to gain from all of this?"

Megatron smirked and hooked his arm around Ratchet's, and pulled him closer, knowing with his bindings, he'd be unable to pull away. "Many things," he hissed darkly. "A pet, a slave, a weak link, a source of entertainment..." Ratchet struggled to yank himself free, knowing each one of those things would probably become reality. The idea frightened him.

"I won't comply to any of those," Ratchet grit his denta and growled, narrowing his optics. "Your wasting your time."

"Oh, rest assured, you will comply to each and every one." Megatron slid his digits around his wrist and dug the pointy tips into it, causing energon to slowly leak out. Ratchet whimpered and tried to pull away. The warlord only dug in deeper with every resistant move the medic made, fresh energon staining the tips of his digit.

"Stop..." Ratchet forced himself to still and winced in pain, gaze pleading the mech to stop. The warlord only leaned in closer.

"Shut up and take it," he snarled. "You deserve worse for your incompetence, and defiance."

"Megatron enough!" Optimus winced as he felt his mate's pain and fear, his optics narrowing with aggression. "Do not harm him!"

"Keep him occupied," Megatron ordered to Palladium, turning away and dragging Ratchet into the warship easily, despite the constant resistance and struggling. Palladium sighed, but unsheathed a longbladed sword and charged Optimus.

Once inside the Nemesis, back in that hellhole, Megatron released Ratchet's wrist and stepped back, looking him over with a smirk. "You haven't a clue," he murmured, "What I have planned."

Ratchet turned his helm away, growling, "I have a pretty good idea." The warlord stepped closer while he wasn't looking, and easily scooped him up bridal style without warning, earning an angry yelp. Ratchet kicked and squirmed in his grip almost immediately. "Put me down!"

Megatron immediately slid one arm around his legs, immobilizing them, and held a tighter grip on his chassis, holding him closer and much tighter, despite the medic's whines and argues. "Shut up." He muttered, carrying him down the halls and towards the brig, digging his claws into the medic when he continued to struggle.

"Megatron!" Ratchet yelped, glaring at the warlord with furious optics. "Put me down, I can walk!" Megatron huffed and dropped him suddenly, earning another yelp.

"Your more trouble than your worth." Megatron spat, kicking his side roughly.

Ratchet held his side and whimpered, staring up at him. "Than why am I here?"

The warlord knelt before him and smirked big, optics darkening a great deal. Ratchet shivered.

"I have great plans for you, Medic. You just wait and see."