Razor's Edge

Chapter 12

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

"What?" Ironhide asked through gritted denta.

"I'm going to be a sire," Optimus repeated.

"You sparked Hot Rod?" Ironhide said, trying to wrap his processor around the news.

"Yes," Optimus said.

Ironhide stood, pacing back and forth before coming to a stop, facing Optimus.

"Let me get this straight-you got involved with a subordinate, somebody you barely know, and now he's sparked?" Ironhide said.

"If you're going to lecture me about my recklessness, I've already received one from Ratchet," Optimus said.

"Oh, Ratchet is nothing compared to what I have to say," Ironhide said. "I'll add 'irresponsible' to the list. How's that sound? You're Prime. We're in the middle of a war. How are you gonna take care of a sparkling? Did you think about that?"

"I've had an entire day to think about it," Optimus said. "Have you anything further to add?

Ironhide knew he could go on-Optimus' choice of Hot Rod was something he could definitely find problems with, but he didn't say anything about that.

"The damage is done," he said. "You're gonna have to live with it. I guess the most important thing is you're happy, and the sparkling is healthy."

There. He could be diplomatic.

"Thank you," Optimus said.

88888

Prowl was quickly and quietly putting an end to the rumors flying around the Ark. He was letting Ratchet deal with the overt chatter when the medic bothered leaving the med bay. With Ultra Magnus and his unit back, there would be more to deal with. The second in command was not going to speculate on what was going on with Optimus, and he knew Hot Rod could probably use some company that wasn't Ratchet or Optimus. He commed Kup, telling the ancient mech to meet him in ops.

And Kup knew something was amiss when he stepped inside ops. It was quiet, but there was an undercurrent to it. Ops was never this quiet, even when Prowl or Ultra Magnus was in charge.

"What do you want?" Kup asked, leaning against the console beside Prowl's seat. "If this is about the reports from our supply run, I'm gonna have a little talk with Optimus about your timelines. . ."

"It has nothing to do with your report, and at the moment, it isn't a high priority," Prowl said.

Kup frowned, taken aback by Prowl's dismissal of a report.

"Where's Prime?" Kup asked, trying to be casual. "He know about this?"

"Incapacitated at the moment," Prowl said. "I suggest you go see Hot Rod."

"Why? What's he done now?" Kup said.

Prowl was silent a few seconds, an eternity for the second in command, which did not go unnoticed by Kup.

"Just go see him," Prowl continued. "He's in his quarters."

He was just being a good second in command, or trying. Optimus could explain his situation, whatever it was, to his mentor, when he was ready. And Ratchet hadn't yet given him clearance to release Optimus from the brig.

"Why is Optimus 'incapacitated?'" Kup asked.

Prowl sighed. "Go see Hot Rod," he said. "I think he could use a visit from you right now. Optimus has had all the company he needs, and is, as Ratchet said, 'cooling his jets.' You'll be apprised of the situation further when I have more details."

"Prowl, what in the Pit is going on around here?"

"I wish I knew," Prowl said.

88888

Hot Rod lay on his berth, staring at the ceiling, not moving. Moving was bad. He'd purge, and he had no desire to once again witness the color and consistency of the contents of his tanks. Ratchet was supposed to provide him with an energon mix that wouldn't make him purge, but the medic was busy with Starscream and the other Seekers. Except he wasn't expecting anyone when his door chimes went off, because Ratchet was going to make him come to the med bay for the energon, and his guest had damn sure better not be Optimus Prime.

"I don't want your sympathy, or you hovering, so get lost. . ." Hot Rod trailed off as he saw who as at his door. "Hi Kup. You're back early. How'd the trip go?"

"Just fine," Kup said. "Now what's this about sympathy or hovering?"

"Nothing," Hot Rod said. "Don't you have reports to write or something?"

"Prowl told me to come see you," Kup said.

"I'm fine," Hot Rod said. "So you don't have to stay."

Denial and faster than usual attempts at trying to remove him from the premises spoke volumes about how much he really needed to stay. Based upon those two factors, Hot Rod had done something monumentally stupid.

"Lad, what trouble are you in now?" Kup asked.

"None," Hot Rod said. "Just been taken off frontline duty temporarily."

"Who'd you tick off this time?"

Hot Rod glared. "It's got nothing to do with anything I did in the line of duty," he said. "I didn't disobey any orders, or break protocols. At least any I know about."

Unspoken boundaries he'd happily ignored. And so had his Prime, but he wasn't telling Kup that.

"So what did you do?" Kup asked.

"Nothing I'm ready to talk about," Hot Rod said.

"That bad, eh?"

"Depends on your definition of 'bad,'" Hot Rod said. "It's bad enough, I guess, but nothing I can do about it now."

"Bad enough your punishment is confinement to quarters and you're pulled from duty? Why not just throw you in the brig?" Kup said.

"I'm not the one being punished," Hot Rod said. "I just don't want to see anyone, or have to explain myself. I will when I'm ready. Oh wait, I might require permission to do that."

"Lad, you're not making any sense," Kup said.

"Kup, the past few days haven't made a whole lot of sense," Hot Rod said, scrubbing at his face.

"Lad, you can always talk to me," Kup said. "No matter how awful things might be. . ."

"I'm sparked," Hot Rod snapped. "There. Happy?"

"Well, that's monumental news, lad," Kup said. Monumental, indeed. Stupid? He'd get to the bottom of it.

"Aren't you going to ask who the sire is?"

"I figure that's your business," Kup said.

"It's Optimus," Hot Rod said.

Shuttered optics and silence were the only response.

"Oh lad. . ."

"I know it was stupid, and now I'm paying the consequences," Hot Rod said.

"It's not stupid if you care for each other," Kup said. "Right?"

Hot Rod didn't answer.

"Lad," Kup threatened.

"Got to get some rest," Hot Rod said. "Unless you want me to purge all over your feet."

"If you need anything, just comm me," Kup said. "You don't have to go through this alone."

"Thanks," Hot Rod said, suddenly finding himself in a hug from the old mech.

"Hot Rod, this is good news, though, lad," Kup said, smiling, pulling away, but keeping his hands on the other bot's shoulders. "Somebody new to tell my stories."

"You're gonna sparkling-sit," Hot Rod said.

"Count on it," Kup said. "Anything else before I go?"

"Just keep Springer busy, will you? I'm not ready tell him yet," Hot Rod said.

"I'll see what I can do," Kup said. "Get some rest now, and get me if you need anything. By the way, if you don't mind my asking, just where is Optimus?"
"Brig," Hot Rod said.

"I think I'll go pay him a visit," Kup said. "See you later."

Hot Rod didn't answer, laying back down on his berth, and Kup let himself out. Primus, what the hell were Optimus and Hot Rod thinking? Hot Rod was impulsive, tended to go after what he wanted, and obviously he had. On the other hand, Optimus Prime wasn't stupid. He could be rash, on occasion, but he'd been tempered and honed over the millennia. Not that he couldn't be rash, especially where a loved one, or love was concerned. Maybe lust in Hot Rod's case. Oh Primus, was he really thinking that? Yes. He needed some high grade and a day to sleep it off.

Magnus to corral, and Springer to deal with. Springer he could handle. Maybe Prowl or Jazz would help with Magnus? He wasn't a rash one, and really didn't understand why someone would do something so impulsive as to pursue a relationship with someone he barely knew. Then again, he was Optimus' oldest friend. (Next to himself, of course. He'd known Orion, Dion and Ariel before they were the command trine.) Kup did understand, and was going to have a little talk with Optimus, and find out his side.

He'd deal with Magnus and Springer in the morning. The triple changer was probably with Arcee, and that was a good thing. He'd talk with the femme, let her know he needed her help keeping Springer in hand, and that she should see Hot Rod. Poor Springer. He was as good as bonded. Arcee only had to let him know he was hooked. The femme had talked with him more than once about the stupidity of his two adopted foundlings. They were fine until she came along, becoming rivals for her affection instead of settling down into a trine. Would've been good for all three, but apparently, Primus had other ideas. Well, Hot Rod and Springer were more like brothers than potential trine mates. They were almost as close as the twins.

And speaking of trines, he needed to check and see how Starscream and his brothers were doing, and see about debriefing the three. More work to do, and dealing with the eventuality of Megatron showing up and trying to take them all back. Also the issue of keeping him from finding out an Autobot was sparked with the child of the Prime. All in good time, Kup reflected.