Hope's Return

A New Bond

Epps found his way into Ratchet's office. Carefully avoiding the organized chaos, he climbed up the side of the berth and waited to be acknowledged.  For a while he watched the Doc tinker with an invention and thought perhaps his entrance had gone unnoticed. 

Just as he was about to leave, Ratchet gently set down the instrument beside him. Epps got up and carefully walked around the delicate item but couldn't figure out its purpose.  It had a wide base with a hollowed out curve on top. On the side was written Cybertronian but other then that, it seemed to be a simple silver box.

"What is it?"

The smile of anticipation on Ratchet's face fell a little at his question but he just grumbled and picked up the object. Pulling out a small cylinder, he placed it in the curved hollow. A light shone out and revealed an image.

"It's a holographic projector, similar to a moving photo album. I've downloaded images from Cybertron and her past life on base from mine and other bots memory files."

"Damn...that's some serious Harry Potter shit. Think she'll like it?"

"Hmph...I doubt your Harry Potter could build something this sophisticated but yes I think she will."

"Harry Potter is from a book...sigh nevermind.  Do you need me to deliver it?"

"I will give it to her myself. I believe she will be receptive to my intentions. "

The dark man peered out the door where Hope was surrounded by Soundwave's cassettes.

"Good luck getting a quiet moment with her. It looks like she has her servo's full."

Ratchet followed his gaze and found the scene charming if not a bit frustrating. Hope never seemed to tire of all their questions and often would relate her past life in story form complete with images.

Epps watched Ratchet's whole demeanor soften as he observed them. Man, the doc had it bad for her. Climbing down from the medical berth, he made his way to the door. Turning, he offered a good luck and went down to enjoy the show.

Story time had become an event that base personnel would often gather to see. Most of the Cybertrons early history had been lost to the centuries of war between the factions. It was moments like these that they realized how truly old Hope was.

Sitting crossed legged on the floor with the cassettes around her, Hope began spinning her tale. Space came to life around them as her power wove it along with her words. Gasps were heard as they realized the tale was of the battle between Unicron in Megatron's body and Optimus's sacrifice to rebuild Cybertron's spark.

All around her, the history re-lived itself but Hope sat at peace knowing that though part of her spark still ached for Optimus,  a new love for another had been growing these last few months.

The mech in question stood there in stunned silence, his thoughts hiding an inner turmoil as once again he questioned if he was worthy of her love and if she would ever accept his.

Turning his back on the scene, he rushed into his office, attempting to escape the lingering doubts. In his haste, he knocked over an volatile experiment and barely rolled out of the way to escape the inevitable explosion. 

Her concentration shattered, the energies around Hope disappeared as the power returned to her. Looking up to see smoke billowing from Ratchet's office, she flew up in a panic to check on his well being. As she reached the doorway, she saw Ratchet standing there amidst the smoke holding something in his servos.

"Ratchet? Are you okay? What happened?"

The look in his optics was spark breaking before he tossed the object to the table and pushed past her and headed outside the base. She was startled by a voice near her ped.

"He made that for you."

In response to Epps comment, Hope picked up the warped box. Rubbing her servo over it, she read the Cybertronian writing. Abruptly she looked down at the soldier.

"Ratchet made this for me?"

"That...and the flower I delivered before."

A deep breath shuddered through her vents as she stood there. Abruptly spreading her wings, she offered a quick apology to Epps for almost knocking him over.

"Just go get him commander.  We're all rooting for you."

A brief smile graced her face plate before she flung herself over the rail and opened a portal to outside the base. Searching the grounds, she felt a pull towards the east and the grassy part of base.

Stepping lightly, she walked quietly towards the tree they had spent the night under so long ago. There was no response from Ratchet as she sat down beside him. He remained hunched over, his face plate a study of misery.

Hope held the delicate box, once more running her servo's over the writing etched on it. Her tone was wistful as she spoke.

"Do you mean what you wrote?"

A half nod and sigh was her response. They sat for a moment,  each lost in their own thoughts before she spoke again. Her words had his helm shooting up in shock as he stared at her in disbelief.

"You what?"

Her smile certain, she repeated herself.

"I love you too..."

"But I'm nothing compared to Optimus."

Hope sat back and stared at the skies.

"Optimus will always be a part of me but you have always been part of me as well. In a way, he was the calm to my storm but you...you are the sun to my shadows. You balance me just as much as he did."

Reaching out once more, she linked her servo with his.

"I think Optimus would have wanted his two friends to find happiness."

Ratchet cleared his throat box and turned to face Hope, reaching out to take both her servos in his. A new light kindled in his optics as he spoke the words he had been wishing to say for so many years.

"Hope, will you do me the honor of becoming my sparkmate?"

Her optics suspiciously bright with moisture, Hope gently touched his helm with hers.

"I would be honored to be your sparkmate Ratchet."

Leaning forward she met his lips with hers and felt her spark flare out. Opening their optics, they watched as his orange spark swirled tentatively around her bright one before slowly merging. For a moment the merged sparks floated between them.

Hope could see the tears on Ratchet's face plate and felt his love pour through the newly formed bond. Tenderly she sent joy in return to him. The two sparks circled around them once more before separating and returning to their spark chambers.

Pulling her into his lap and leaning up against the tree, Ratchet looked out over the grassy land. Sighing in contentment, Hope curled up closer to him. From the base door, Sunstreaker watched the pair before glancing down at the Epps.

"Looks like she'll have some explaining to do  the next time she sees Sideswipe. Any idea who won the pool?"

Epps looked back at Ironhide who was doing a victory dance and shooting his cannons in the air while the rest of the base personnel ran for cover. He gave a short laugh.

"My bet's on Ironhide. Lets go join the party and give the two love birds some privacy."

Sunstreaker shook his helm but started to follow Epps inside.  Glancing back once more, he sent a feeling of love and acceptance to his little sister, receiving a mental kiss in return. Smirking to himself, he wondered how his twin would take the news that the doctor of doom was now their brother-in-law.