Phoenix

Explanation

Pregnant.

It was as foreign word to her then as it was now. Sometimes, she wished she could forget. But she never did. She never would.

Andromeda would never forget that she bore Megatron's child.

xxx

Stillbirth was not one of Ratchet's favored procedures. It made his spark sink. Andromeda likely felt worse, though, so he didn't say anything.

It was a femme.

The procedure was done without anyone else knowing―until Surefire awoke, that is. He knew instantly what had happened.

It was the first time either of them had seen the Captain cry.

It was a silent cry. Tears rolled from her optics and landed on the stones at her feet. The sparkling had been buried just near Cliffjumper's grave.

The dry Nevada sky was darkened by thunderclouds that day.

xxx

It took days for Andromeda to speak again.

"I suppose it's time I told somebody." She said. Ratchet stared at her a moment, then nodded slowly, seeing what she meant.

"Should I send for Surefire?"

She nodded.

xxx

The Lieutenant went instantly to his captain's quarters when he was summoned.

"Captain?"

Andromeda looked up from where she sat, motioning for him to come in. Ratchet was there, too.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"An explanation." Andromeda replied simply.

The Lieutenant sat down.

xxx

"Before the war began, I was Sparkbound." She began. "... My Sparkmate was Megatronus, the gladiator. I thought myself rather lucky to be bound to such a prominent mech. However, I soon realized my luck wasn't as good as it seemed.

"It was after I found out I was pregnant that he started... changing. He was angry. Plotting something against someone he thought had wronged him. He neglected me, and I foolishly brought our child into the mix. He was furious when I finally told him. He thought I had been trying to keep his own daughter a secret from him. And really, I was. I wanted to protect my sparkling, as any mother would, but he didn't care. It was just another reason for him to be more angry.

"So I left him. Unofficially, though. Our Bond was never broken. I hoped that my absence might make him see what he was doing. My plan was to wait it out, and return to him. But it seems that is anger is not short-lived. I joined the Autobots when the war started. I became close friends with a medic, Blueline. He was the only one I told my secret to.

"He was concerned for me, with me carrying and all, and I knew it was for the best. Nevertheless, I was stubborn. I climbed the ranks fast. I had a plan, to confront Megatron and try to change him back. Though I could never seem to realize that that would be―quite literally―as hard as stopping a war single-handedly. And... well... you both know the rest."

Surefire did something surprising.

Before anyone could speak, he had thrown his arms around the Captain in a quite uncharacteristic embrace. Even more surprising, she found herself hugging him back. The moment was brief, however. The Lieutenant quickly moved away, head lowered in embarrassment.

"Pardon my lack of restraint, Captain," he said apologetically. "It just seemed like you..."

Andromeda smiled at him, though her spark still ached. She knew he meant well.

"You did nothing wrong, Surefire." She assured him. "Thank you."

Surefire didn't know how to respond other than to simply nod.

"You've done a difficult thing, telling us your story." Ratchet finally spoke. "You should get some rest now."

"I will."

Surefire took this as his cue to leave, and did so. Ratchet started up to follow him, but Andromeda reached out and stopped him.

"Ratchet,"

He looked at her. Her gaze was sincere now.

"Thank you."

Somehow, within those words, she had said more than just 'thank you'. Ratchet wasn't sure quite yet what it meant, but he nodded anyway.

"You're welcome."