The humans had assigned each bot a room, which were surprisingly big enough for their massive frames, even though berths weren't provided. It was Ratchet's idea to bring the ship back and take the berths from within, and use those, even though the thought of recharging on the floor was incredibly appealing... not. With Samuel's approval, they returned to their ship and flew it to the base, landing it on top of the cliff.

Once the berths were all in place, it was quite dark, each bot had disappeared into their assigned rooms, tired and worn. Ratchet lay on the berth in the one he and his mate shared, awaiting the Prime patiently, shifting uncomfortably a bit. It was rather awkward without feeling his mate's frame next to his.

Primus, let us leave this planet soon, he inwardly sighed, sitting up and unclipping his chassis armor, before tossing it to the floor and settling back down into the blankets. He was almost asleep when the door opened, revealing his mate. Optimus sighed, closing the door behind him as he entered the room and came to stand at the edge of the berth.

"Ratchet," he said softly, unclipping his own chassis armor and setting it on the floor. "Are you well?" He laid down beside his mate.

The medic gazed at him, shrugging one shoulder. "Been better." A couple seconds passed before a dangerous smirk came to his lips. "But I know how you can make me feel better..."

Optimus smiled. "Oh, I'm sure." His optics widened when Ratchet rolled over and on top of him, pinning his frame beneath his own. The Prime gazed up at his mate, who smirked down at him.

Ratchet leaned downward kissed him fiercely, before moving to his jawline. Optimus yelped as his mate grazed his sensitive wiring sharply with his denta, and bit and nibbled roughly. A moan escaped the Prime's lips, shivering as Ratchet's servos trailed down his chestplates.

"R-Ratchet, gentle please..." Optimus gasped as his mate continued to roughly bite at his sensitive wiring, and grazing his denta sharply. "You know- NNnnn...I- I'm ticklish..."

Ratchet smirked at him. "Oh, and you refuse gentle for me? Hn, such a hypocrite..." He returned to his task, before sliding his glossa over the Prime's most sensitive spot (he'd learned where to find it over time) and dragged his denta over it sharply, earning a low moan from his mate.

"Nn.. P-Primus! Ratchet y-you bite so fragging hard..." Optimus whined, sliding his servos over Ratchet's shoulders. "C-Can't you be a little more gentle- ACK!" Ratchet purred, playfully taking one cable into his denta and grazing over it.

After giving another moan, Optimus wrapped his arms around Ratchet's hips and pulled him up, bringing their lips to meet. Ratchet smiled into Optimus's soft lips and cupped his mate's cheeks, affection streaming across the bond rapidly.

"Ratchet... let's get some recharge," Optimus whispered when they broke, and carefully laid Ratchet beside him. "I love you."

"I love you too." The medic replied softly, snuggling up to him, and relaxing in his embrace, and slowly drifting into recharge.

~~

When Ratchet opened his optics, he was standing in the main hangar of the base, but it was... dull, and empty, the lights dim.

What a dreary place... how'd I get here? He asked himself, looking around. "Optimus?" No answer. "Anyone?" The base remained completely silent, other than his calls and pedsteps as he looked around.

That's when a dark chuckle made him freeze, and his energon turned to ice.

No. No no no. Ratchet squeezed his optics shut as one servo slid around his waist and another on his shoulder, icy touch sending shivers through him.

"Ello there, medic. Miss me?" Sir hissed in his audio receptor, digging his claws into the medic's waist and shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" Ratchet yelped as his claws drew energon; he tore away and turned to face Sir, spark pounding in it's chamber. "Stay away..."

Sir tilted his helm, his lips in a malicious smirk. "Oh, you needn't be afraid, don't you remember? I'm completely friendly, right?" He stepped towards Ratchet, optics gleaming. "I won't hurt you... badly."

"Like I believe that!" Ratchet snapped, before stiffening as Sir gently ran a servo over his jawline and lifted his chin so their gazes met directly.

A chuckle escaped Sir's lips, his red optics burning into those of the medic's. His touch sent shivers through Ratchet, who gave a quiet whimper and leaned away.

"Such pretty optics..." Sir whispered, before chuckling again and stepping back, giving the tense medic some space. "Aaaanyway, I've been sent to give you a message."

Ratchet raised an optic ridge, sending the mech a questioning look. "Wh...What do you mean?"

After heavily a small sigh, Sir began to pace, servos clasped behind his back, and a troubled look on his face. "Well... how do I put this..." He looked at Ratchet. "I can't tell you exactly what's gonna happen, Alpha Trion will hang my hide on the wall if I do, buuut... let me put it this way. The Decepticons are still a threat, and their coming, with a new and untried strategy. You," Ratchet stiffened at the mention of himself, "will be victim from it. Warn Prime, Ratch. Be ready, it's going to come unexpected."

Ratchet stared at him in surprise. "B-But... why would you help me? Y-You... I... last time we met, as I recall, you were throwing daggers at my face and trying to sever my servo. Why help me?" His voice shook, optics widened with confusion and fear.

"Because I don't have a reason to hate you anymore. I am reunited with my mate and son, so why continue down my dark path?" Sir smiled, for the first time, it wasn't a 'I want to rip you apart circuit by circuit' smile. It was real.

"Th.... Thank you." Ratchet nodded.

Sir vanished, along with the empty, dull room.

~~

Ratchet sat up abruptly, panting hard, optics taking a minute to adjust to the darkness. His mate mumbled something unintelligible in his recharge beside him, shifting around a little.

"Optimus!" The medic grabbed his shoulders. "Optimus wake up!" The Prime woke with a whine.

"Mm... Ratchet what is it?" He mumbled, blinking the drowsiness from his optics.

"I-I had a dream... Sir, he came to warn us about something! He said... he said the Decepticons are coming back and-"

Optimus sat up and pulled Ratchet into his embrace, silencing him immediately. "Shh. It's late, you had a bad dream, just wait until morning to worry about it." The medic sighed, snuggling up to him and closing his optics.

"Your right... I guess it was just a bad dream." He muttered, before laying back down and cuddling close to his mate, and falling back into recharge.

It was just a dream, right?