A Bet's A Bet

Chapter 30

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

0800, and Ultra Magnus groaned as he came online, trying to stretch, find a more comfortable position. Slag it, he thought, letting himself out of his hiding place, finding three sets of optics staring as he stepped out. Prowl's expression was unreadable, Sunstreaker's one of amusement and Ratchet's was pure malice.

"Thank you for interrupting an exam," the medic said. "Monday you and I are going to have a long discussion about medic-patient confidentiality."

"I'll be sure to make time," Magnus said.

"You will," Ratchet said. "For a mech that's all about protocol, you're sure slipping."

"Prowl, Sunstreaker, I'm sorry to interfere," Magnus said. "I hope your sparkling is doing well, and congratulations. And Ratchet, slag off."

Mustering his tattered pride, Magnus stalked from the med bay, not looking back, and he wasn't able to duck the wrench Ratchet threw at his head. It bounded off his helm, and he picked it up, tossing it back inside the still open doors.

"Crazy medic," he muttered, heading down the corridor toward the rec room. Still early, and he could grab some energon and get out before he could get waylaid by anyone else. Except it was empty, with the exception of Elita-1.

"Good morning, Magnus," she said. "I have to say, recharging in here was not the best idea I've had. I've been waiting for you to show yourself."

She stood, walking toward him, and Magnus backed away, but she lunged forward, reaching up, grabbing him by a finial, dragging him back down the corridor toward the living quarters.

"I don't even know where to start," Elita said. "You owe so many apologies. . ."

Again he tried pulling away, but she stopped, yanking his head down so his optics were level with hers.

"You're acting like a petulant sparkling," the femme snapped. "Grow some backstruts, Magnus. Are you so afraid of your feelings, you can't even say one thing?"

"Elita, I'm so sorry," Magnus said.

"I forgive you," Elita said. "Primus, why can't I stay mad at you?"

"Because you love me, and I don't deserve it?" Magnus said. "Elita, I still can't believe you chose me, I never hoped, I mean, I did, but I never believed I actually had a chance. . ."

He was silenced with a kiss, and then Elita was dragging him toward her quarters.

"Groveling is good," Elita said. "That's a start. We can continue this in my quarters. Oh, and before I forget, you're going to tell everything to Springer, how you lost the bet and didn't have the mettle to tell him."

"Now or later?" Magnus said.

"Let him enjoy a little time with Arcee, and we can get some alone time before he comes after you," Elita said.