Sorry I haven't posted for a few days, April 29th is my birthday and my girlfriend came to town so I kinda ignored everything for three days to hang out with her.

"do you think it'll work?" Optimus ask. Ironhide looks back at his bonded, a smirk on his face.

"oh yeah. he's still got that 'Con wrapped around his finger like Ratchet and Wheeljack. he'll come around." Ironhide murmurs. "especially if he wants contact with this sparkling." he adds. Optimus nods.

"he'd make a great addition to the team." Optimus says.

"I don't disagree. he's not friendly, but he could still be a good addition. he's loyal, even if only to Frenzy and my bondmate, and he knows Reflect is a Prime. he respects Reflect and was even oddly concerned when Reflect got sick out there. don't get me wrong, he's a slaggin' 'Con, the scum of Cybertron, but I believe Reflect, I'll have his back every step of the way." Ironhide says firmly.

"is that coming from him being Will or him being your bondmate?" Optimus asks, amused. Ironhide turns to look at him, shaking his head.

"neither Prime." Ironhide frowns. "he may be my bondmate and even Will at one point, but Reflect knows what he's doing. its a great move as a future Prime, I trust him with my life." Ironhide murmurs, looking over at Optimus. "I've trusted him with my life for years. he's proven several times to have my back even before, when he was Will, and I was just his guardian." Ironhide murmurs. Optimus nods a little, smiling.

"not future. he is a Prime. he has been since the mark appeared." Optimus says.

"thats not how its worked on Cyber-" Ironhide starts.

"we are not on Cybertron anymore old friend." Optimus says, giving Ironhide a pointed look. "Reflect is a Prime, even if he isn't technically an active Prime. I was a Prime, even as Orion Pax. I just wasn't active until Sentinels assumed demise and I became Optimus Prime." Optimus says.

"how did you come up with that anyway?" Ironhide ask.

"I didn't the name was declared by the past Primes." Optimus says. "just as was every other Prime." Optimus murmurs.

"I don't even remember hearing Sentinels name before he was a Prime." Ironhide mutters.

"he was Sentinel Minor when we were sparklings. he became Sentinel Prime in our youngling hood. he either never got a name from the Primes or didn't take it, which is always a choice, but I decided to take mine as do most Primes." Optimus says.

"I wonder what name they'll give Reflect." Ironide says, looking at his bondmate. they look at Ratchet when he whistles.

"lets get him back to the base." Ratchet calls, looking over at them.

"m'fine." Reflect mutters.

"you're being hauled by Optimus. no driving, no transforming." Wheeljack frowns.

"oh yeah? who fraggin' died n'made you my boss?" Reflect huffs, trying to get up. Ratchet huffs and pushes him back down.

"you did." Wheeljack snorts, smirking at him. Reflect groans and drops his head back into the sand.

they load him up and carry him back to the base, straight to the medbay.

Reflect groans and lays on a berth, rubbing his side.

"I don't think you should be driving anymore. the more you transform the more you get sick." Ratchet frowns.

"I'm coming to that same conclusion." Reflect mutters. "s'fine. I'll stay on base. I don't want to risk the sparkling." he adds.

"you purged again. we saw it in the sand." Wheeljack says.

"yeah, but it wasn't bad." Reflect assures.

"well, that helped us come to the conclusion you're experiencing a very common glitch. activating your T-cog is aggravating your glitches. its making you sick." Ratchet says.

"okay. I won't then." Reflect says. he sits up slowly, before shaking his head and laying back down. "no thanks, nevermind, that was a bad move." Reflect mumbles.

"just lay there kid. I'll be right back, Ironhide will be down in a few minutes to help you back to your room." Ratchet says. Reflect nods a little and watches the medic leave. Wheeljack follows after, intent on heading to the lab.

Reflect lays on the berth, shutting his optics off to rest. he reonlines them a minute later when someone walks into the medbay.

Hide, Crosshairs is in the medbay.

I'll be there in a few minutes. just talk to Ratchet.

Ratchet left.

Wheeljack?

him too.

so its just you in the medbay?

yes. me and Crosshairs.

I'll be there in a few. don't talk to him.

Reflect shifts a little, shutting them back off almost immediately.

"so its you then human." Crosshairs mutters.

"m'not human. m'Cybertronian." Reflect mutters, looking back up at him.

"no you're not. you're human. polluting our race with your sparkling." Crosshairs grumbles.

"hey! don't touch me!" Reflect shouts, smacking the servo away when Crosshairs raches out to him.

"don't fraggin' hit me!" Crosshairs growls. he flips his gun out pointing it at Reflect.

"don't point that at us! Ironhide!" Reflect shouts, shoving the barrel away from his face.

"YOU DARE POINT A WEAPON AT MY BONDMATE!?" Ironhide snaps.

Ratches walks back into the medbay, cube in servo and freezes. there's smoke everywhere. Ironhides standing over Crosshairs glaring, huffing angry steam. Crosshairs is laying inside the mangled remains of Ratchets computer, not moving, and Reflect is nowhere to be found, but his office door is shut.

"what in the- Ironhide! I needed that!" Ratchet snaps, walking over to his computer. Ironhide huffs steam out of his nose, glaring at the medic.

"he pointed a gun at Reflect." Ironhide snaps.

"is he okay?" Ratchet ask.

"he's fine. he's in your office." Ironhide mutters, heading for the medics office.

"you're leaking energon." Ratchet frowns.

"yeah, I got shot." Ironhide mutters. he knocks on the office door. "its just me." Ironhide calls. the door swings open and Reflect peaks out.

"holy hell." Reflect mutters, cuddling up to his bonded. "whats his problem?" Reflect ask. Ratchet watches them, before looking over at the fire.

"Inferno we have a fine in the medbay."

"on my way Ratchet."

the medic turns looking both Ironhide and Reflect over again, double checking they're okay, even if Ironhide is leaking energon. Reflect makes optic contact with him from the safety of his bondeds arms. his head is resting on Ironhides chest, arms around Ironhides middle. the bigger mech is holding him tightly, head resting on Reflects. he's staring into the office, not paying Ratchet any attention.

"Jack I need your help in medbay."

"be right there."

"someone want to tell me what happened?" Ratchet ask.

"he threatened my sparkling." Reflect mumbles. Ratchet nods a little. Inferno walks in quickly, followed by Optimus. Inferno pays no mind, heading to stop the fire, but Optimus looks at Ratchet confused. the medic nods his head over at Reflect and Ironhide. Optimus looks over at them.

"what happened?" Optimus frowns.

"Crosshairs attacked me." Reflect mumbles softly, pulling away from Ironhide just a bit. "so Ironhide grabbed him. Crosshairs shot him." Reflect adds.

"so I threw him." Ironhide mutters, turning to face Optimus. his arms are still wrapped firmly around his bonded.

"have a seat, Ironhide. I need to fix you up." Ratchet murmurs. Ironhide nods and slowly lets go of Reflect, walking over to the a berth and sitting down. Reflect watches quietly, still standing in Ratchets office doorway. Wheeljack runs in, looking utterly shocked. he glances over the room, optics landing on Reflect. the mech gives a half smile, before looking over at Ironhide. Wheeljack looks at Ironhide before catching a glance at Crosshairs.

"what happened?" he ask.

"check on Crosshairs." Ratchet says, motioning to the downed mech. Wheeljack nods, running over to the mech.

"are you alright?" Optimus ask. Reflect looks over at him, nodding.

"yeah. m'good, we're good." he murmurs, rubbing his chestplates. Optimus nods at him.

"did I kill him?" Ironhide ask, looking over.

"no, he's alive." Wheeljack murmurs.

"shame." Reflect grumbles. Ratchet snorts.

"be nice Reflect." Optimus warns, helping Wheeljack get Crosshairs up onto a berth.

"be nice? he tried to kill the sparkling." Reflect glares.

"easy Reflect." Ratchet soothes gently. Reflect growls quietly, huffing.

go get you a cube, I'll meet you in our room.

you sure?

yeah, go on. cool off a little, don't let Crosshairs get to you.

Reflect watches him a moment longer, before nodding and heading out of the medbay. he heads for the rec room.

"hey, you okay? Optimus and Inferno ran pretty quick towards the medbay. I know you were in there." Jazz says.

"yeah... Crosshairs attacked me." Reflect mumbles.

"I'm sorry I know I didn't just hear what I think I heard." Sideswipe says, walking over. he looks angry, "what the hell did you just say? Crosshairs hurt you?" Sideswipe frowns.

"well, Ironhide didn't let it get that far. he shot Ironhide so, Hide threw him." Reflect says. "but he pointed a gun at my chestplates... he tried to shoot me, but Ironhide got in the way." Reflect frowns. Sideswipe growls, straightening up.

"alright, hey Sunshine, its time to roll." Sideswipe smirks.

"don't fraggin' call me Sunshine." Sunstreaker snaps. before the two can leave, an alarm goes off.

"Decepticon attack?" Reflect ask.

"yeah, sit down. no way you're going out." Jazz frowns, offering Reflect his brand new cube as he pushes him down into a seat. "stay here." Jazz says, heading out of the room. the other Autobots race out and it gets quiet. he sees Ratchet, Optimus, Inferno, and Ironhide go running by, following shortly after by Bumblebee, who pauses only long enough to drop Cade and Sam into the room, before heading after them.

love you, Red Alerts in the security office, Prowls in his office. Crosshairs is in the medbay. if he comes after you again go to Prowl or Red.

love you too Hide, be careful out there. better come back in one piece.

always do.

liar.

"whats happening?" Sam asks, running over to him.

"'Con attack." Reflect frowns. he sits forward and offers his servo to Sam. the man steps into it and lets Reflect lift him up, sitting him on the arm of his chair.

"must be weird getting left behind." Sam frowns.

"not really. I consider myself retired as a soldier. I'm not a soldier anymore. haven't been for years. I'm just a neutral in an Autobot/Decepticon war." Reflect frowns.

"you don't side with the Autobots?" Cade frowns, walking over.

"of course I do." Reflect assures. "I be came a neutral as soon as I found out I was carrying. thats why my symbol is gone. if I stay like this until after the sparkling is sparked, the sparkling can remain neutral until they're old enough to decide if they want to be an Autobot or they want to stay out of the war." Reflect says.

"thats stupid." Cade huffs, climbing up beside Sam. Reflect lets him.

"is it? is it really?" Reflect ask.

"yeah it is." Cade glares.

"so you're telling me, that if Tessa had chosen not to go to college, you would've let her join the fight? would've let her become a soldier and fight a war that isn't hers to fight and possibly die?" Reflect ask.

"no of course not, but its different." Cade glares.

"different? why? because we're considered Cybertronian?" Reflect ask. he shakes his head. "its not different. thats my sparkling, my kid, Cade. I won't let them be labeled unless they want to be." Reflect says firmly. "its not their fight. they were sparked in a war. if they get to the end of their youngling stages and decide they want to be an Autobot, they want to fight, they can, but not until then." Reflect adds.

"Reflect has a point. I mean, I side with the Autobots, but I'm technically a neutral. I don't fight with them, but I'm not a Decepticon either. you aren't either you fight with them when you have to, but not every time." Sam frowns.

"I consider myself an Autobot, honorary." Cade huffs.

"I did when I was a human soldier and my wife and child weren't dead, but then my exwife and child died, this is a new life. I won't let it end before its begun." Reflect says firmly. "and I won't change my mind. you can't make me." Reflect frowns.

"hey, just relax. its okay. you don't need to get so worked up over this." Sam says gently, watching Reflect. he turns to Cade. "and you don't need to judge his choice. I agree with it wholeheartedly." Sam frowns.

"its not-" Cade starts.

"you never got to meet Annie so you wouldn't know what it was like to lose her." Sam says, softly. Reflect tenses at her name. "she was the greatest, sweetest little girl. your kid got to grow up Cade, Wills kid didn't get the same. he won't let it happen again. respect his choice or shut the fuck up." Sam adds firmly. he shrugs and looks up at Reflect. Sam turns back to Cade when Reflect avoids his gaze. "I don't blame him. if this was my kid, I wouldn't want them to be an Autobot either. I've seen you with Tessa. I know you didn't want her in this fight either. my parents didn't want me in it, I didn't get a choice. I was born into this, but I don't regret it. just leave him alone." Sam glares. Reflect gets up from his chair, walking off quickly, blocking his side of the bond. he doesn't need to Ironhide distracted while fighting.

Reflect heads immediately for the medbay. he can hide in Ratchet and Wheeljacks room until he's not thinking about Annabelles death anymore. he shoves into the medbay and pauses.

"Reflect? are you alright?" Wheeljack ask. Reflect hadn't realized that Wheeljack was still here. he stares at the mech a moment. he's probably watching over Crosshairs as the mechs unconscious. Reflect shakes his head a little and heads for their room anyway. Wheeljack follows him quickly.

he finds the bot curled up on his and Ratchets berth. Wheeljack watches him a moment.

"want to tell me whats wrong?" he ask.

"Annie." Reflect murmurs. Wheeljack frowns immediately, walking over. he climbs up onto the berth, pulling the other mech to his chest.

"come here." Wheeljack murmurs. "what happened?" he ask.

"we were just talking and Cade decided I was a crap being because I became neutral when I found out I was carrying because I didn't want the sparkling to be sparked with a target on their back. I wanted them to be safe and neutral and I wanted to protect them like I couldn't protect Annie." Reflect says. Wheeljack holds tighter.

"I was neutral when Nitro was sparked, so was Ratchet." Wheeljack says softly. "we didn't become Autobots until the Decepticons killed Nitro. if they hadn't, we wouldn't be Autobots. we probably never would've met any humans. we would've died on Cybertron. neutrals were sought after and slaughtered by Decepticons if they refused to chose to be a Decepticon." Wheeljack adds, holding tighter. "its not wrong to chose to be a neutral because you want your sparkling to be able to chose a side." Wheeljack assures.

"but I chose this because of her." Reflect chokes.

"and? no one who matters is judging you for this choice. you were neutral as a sparkling too. don't worry about it. this is the best choice." Wheeljack murmurs. "you just stay here with me, you and I are gonna lay right here until Ironhide gets back." Wheeljack says softly, kissing his head. Reflect nods against him, hugging him tightly. he lets the mech bury himself in his chestplates, but he can't help himself from smiling a little.

it excites him to think that, even though he wasn't a sparkling, the mech still sought comfort in him and Ratchet. it hurts him to think that the other mech is hurt, but he can't help it. the mech was letting him hold him, comfort him, cuddle him.

Wheeljack waits until he hears the other mechs systems slow slightly, indicating he's slipped into recharge, before slipping into a light recharge. he'd need to be ready when the others got back, in case they needed repairs.

"what happened? Sam said Reflect got upset and he's not answering me."

Wheeljack shifts a little, internal clock saying its been 3 and a half hours. onlining his optics, he looks down at Reflect. the mech is still snoring quietly.

"Cade called him an idiot for being neutral so the sparkling is neutral."

"I was the one to convince him to go neutral. I didn't want him having a chance of being called into battle, even if he's carrying. i don't always trust Primes choices. I still don't like how he left Bumblebee to the humans when we all met Sam."

"neutral is safer for both of them, just in case. I agree. we're in the medbay."

"I'm already on my way. got a hole in my chest, and Ratchets holding my arm."

"Primus! I'll be out as soon as I seperate from him."

Wheeljack carefully, but quickly gets free from the other mech and heads out to the medbay.

he gets there as other mechs start pouring in, Ironhide and Ratchet are at the back of the pack.

"Primus! Ironhide! I didn't realize you meant your arm was completely disconnected!" Wheeljack glares, watching Ratchet carry the mechs arm in.

"I told you he was holding it." Ironhide shrugs. "and keep your fraggin' voice down. if you wake him up and upset him, I swear I'll rip both of yours off." Ironhide warns. he plops onto a berth.

"Reflects in here?" Bumblebee ask.

"apparently that Yeager human is shaming him for being a neutral while carrying instead of identifying as an Autobot." Ironhide mutters.

"I take it Annie came up in the conversation too, but I'm not sure how." Wheeljack frowns.

"I'll end him." Ironhide growls.

"easy Ironhide." Optimus mutters, wincing as he sits on a berth. his leg is not hanging on very well. Ironhide huffs a little, glaring. "well, since we're going to be in here for a little bit, I think its time I discuss with you, Ironhide, what I've been discussing with Ratchet." Optimus says. Ironhide raises an optic ridge.

"oh yeah? what about?" Ironhide ask.

"Reflects Prime status." Ratchet says, walking over to start working on Ironhide.

"I think he'll make a great Prime." Bumblebee smiles.

"he has shown great leadership skills in the past." Jazz shrugs.

"Reflect already is a Prime." Optimus assures. "and we're not on Cybertron anymore, so we could activate his Prime status." Optimus says, looking over at Ironhide.

"huh? what for?" Ironhide ask, confused.

"well, he's carrying and he's having issues transforming, it'd be nice to have an active Prime on base while we're out in battle, in case something happens." Optimus says.

"activating his Prime status would have him going to meetings again." Ironhide says.

"well, yes, but seeing as he once was Will, we'd still have a human perspective. my thinking is, if Reflects Prime status is active, he'll get thrown back into the meetings yes, but his perspective is important. he has not only a human view but now also a Cybertronian view. it could really help. he was always very good at pursuading humans in our favor. I think he would be of some good help." Optimus says.

"oh yeah? and whats this got to do with me? you should talk to him about this." Ironhide frowns.

"just making sure you're on board with this before I bring it up to Reflect." Optimus assures.

"Reflects his own mech, he can make up his own processor." Ironhide shrugs.

"yes, he is, but it is both of your sparkling." Optimus says.

"it shouldn't cause him any extra stress, but its really up to you." Ratchet murmurs.

"first, its up to Reflect, and second, if Ratchet thinks its safe, then just bring it up to Reflect. he'll let you know how he feels about it." Ironhide assures. "but if you pressure my bondmate Prime, I'll hit you. just see how he feels." Ironhide adds.

"how I feel about what?" Reflect grumbles, walking into the main medbay.

"activating your Prime status." Ironhide says. Reflect frowns a little.

"no. no thanks. not right now." Reflect frowns.

"huh?" Wheeljack ask, looking over. Reflect shrugs.

"I told you. I'm remaining neutral until the sparkling gets here. I can't be a neutral if I'm an active Prime." Reflect says frowning.

"actually, that is why I thought of this. you can be a neutral Prime." Optimus assures. Reflect gives him a confused look.

"huh?" he ask.

"well, we're not on Cybertron. rules change. if you wish to accept this offer, it will be made firmly clear that you're a neutral Prime, plus its something you can do that won't endanger you or the sparkling." Optimus assures.

"don't let him bully you into this Will. I think he's just worried you're getting bored."

"I'll keep that in mind thanks Hide."

"I... I will think about it." Reflect says, nodding at Optimus.

"it would be very much appreciated but no matter the answer I will accept it." Optimus assures gently. Reflect nods hesitantly, before looking over at Ironhide. his bonded smiles at him a little. Reflect raises an optic ridge, looking at the arm laying beside him on the berth.

"huh." Reflect frowns.

"what? its fine. Ratchet can put it back on." Ironhide grumbles. Reflect shrugs shaking his head.

"its just weird. you're not over there bitching that he's touching your canon." Reflect shrugs. Ironhide glares at him.

"watch it." Ironhide grumbles. Reflect rolls his optics.

"relax." Reflect snorts. he glances around the medbay. Optimus' leg is barely hanging on by a couple of wires, Ironhides arm is laying beside him and there's a giant hole in his chest, Bumblebee's beat up and leaking energon on the berth under him and on the floor, Jazz' knee is sparking and leaking energon. "was Inferno not injured? aer Sunstreaker and Sideswipe okay?" Reflect ask.

"Inferno is fine, he's checking on Red Alert. the twins... I haven't seen them in a while." Ratchet shrugs. Reflect frowns.

if you don't need anything, head on back to our room, I'll be there in a little bit.

no thanks. Crosshairs isn't in here anymore and I don't want to risk being caught unaware.

I understand that, but Ratchets about to peel the armor off my shoulder straight down to my protoform and start removing what is equivalent to burnt flesh while repairing and replacing the equivalent of human nerves and muscles to put my arm back on Will. I'd rather you not have to watch that. it might make you sick.

just hearing about it is gonna make me sick. I'm leaving.

Reflect walks out of the medbay quickly and silently.

"what did you do to him?" Ratchet frowns.

"convinced him to leave before he got sick." Ironhide says.

Reflect heads down the hall, but he's grabbed quickly and pulled into a storage closet. he yelps, pulling his plaster out and firing blinding behind him.

"ow! hey!"

Reflect pauses and turns around.

"Sideswipe? Sunstreaker? what the hell! you idiots! I could've killed you!" Reflect growls. Sideswipe rubs at his shoulder, where Reflect had just grazed with a bullet.

"sorry. we just didn't want you tripping the bomb before Crosshairs." Sideswipe murmurs.

"Red says Crosshairs is coming." Sunstreaker murmurs.

"we shouldn't be in here. how are you planning to get out? if you walk out after it explodes, he'll know." Reflect frowns.

"Reds got us covered on cameras, so he'll have no proof." Sunstreaker shrugs.

"yeah but if you walk out Crosshairs won't need proof." Reflect frowns.

"uh, I guess we didn't think of that." Sideswipe frowns, rubbing the back of his neck.

"alright hang on." Reflect mutters. he grabs hold of both of them and teleports them out of the office. they land in the middle of the rec room. Reflect stumbles, but both twins quickly reach out to brace him.

"you shouldn't have done that. we would've found a way out of there, even if it meant kicking Crosshairs aft back to Cybertron." Sunstreaker frowns. Reflect grumbles a little, trying to get his footing back.

"Sunny's right. Ironhide will kill us if you get hurt." Sideswipe frowns. Reflect straightens after a moment, shaking his head and grumbling.

"no. its fine. just makes me dizzy." Reflect mutters. "I wouldn't do something like that if it hurt me." he assures.