When Ratchet was struck, he let out a muted cry of pain, making no sound whatsoever, which was a little disappointing to the warlord, who honestly loved the sound of a captive's scream. But it was worth it, seeing the medic completely mute, of course. Megatron had treasured the device that muted Ratchet greatly, it being his idea, and having it designed in the lab. It only responded to his orders, only he could shut it off, which he took a lot of pride in.

Jennie felt otherwise. She was huddled up, still in her guardian's chest captivity,  bawling her eyes out... again. "R-Ratchet-t..." She sobbed, shoulder pressed up against the inside of his chestplates.

"Well, I think that's all that needs to be done." Megatron sneered, taking Ratchet's chin in a rough servo, digging his claws into the medic's jawline. "I'll be going now. I will return tomorrow, and you will have another chance to submit. If you don't," his red optics darkened, and burnt into Ratchet's. "You will be terminated."

The medic just pulled his helm away and glared at him, silently wishing he could sent the warlord off with a snappy comeback, finding it difficult to deal with being mute. After giving a small growl, Megatron turned on his heel and left the cell, grumbling in agitation.

"Ratchet a-are you okay?" Jennie called, gazing upward. He opened his chestplates abruptly, a form of saying, "Get out."

Jennie scrambled out of his chest captivity and climbed up to perch on his shoulder, yelping in surprise as he shut his chestplates the moment she was out. She looked at him, a little hurt in her eyes, but her gaze turned angry when she noticed he wasn't even acknowledging her, and hadn't even looked at her yet.

"Ratchet!" She whined. "Why are you such a jerk."

The medic sent her a glare. Well... he DID just protect me from Megatron...

Jennie glared at him for a couple seconds, before deciding that if she was going to speak to him, now would be the time, when he couldn't argue back. She took a deep breath. "Ratchet... what's your problem with me? I didn't ask to be abused, to get run over or for you to be my guardian. I get that you've protected me a couple times, like from my dad and Megatron, but... that was because you had to... I want you to protect me because you want to, I... I want somebody to give a crap about me!" Without warning, tears began to stream down her cheeks, and Jennie began to heavily sob. "Nobody has ever cared, Ratchet. Nobody! You're the first person to even consider protecting me, and you have no idea how good it feels to know that, but then you blow me off, and..." She sniffled, hugging her knees to her chest and burying her face in her arms. "And... it's like, I'm in this world full of people, but I'm still alone... Why can't you even pretend to like me, just a little?"

Ratchet opened his mouth to speak, but stopped, knowing he couldn't; he watched her helplessly, a sympathetic and apologetic look in his optics, as he suddenly felt guilty for being how he was. Jennie sniffled again and moved closer, becoming regardless of how he felt, and snuggled up against his neck cabling, quietly crying. A sigh escaped Ratchet. He wanted to apologize, truthfully. He wanted to make it up to her, but without words, he hadn't a way to do that. Ugh, how helpless I am. He scolded himself inwardly. That's when Jennie stood and leaned against his cheek.

"It's okay... whether you wanna apologize or not, I still forgive you..." She whispered, snuggling up to the side of his helm. Ratchet couldn't help but blush, cheeks turning a tinge of pink, silently cursing himself for doing so. A giggle escaped his charge. "So Cybertronians do get nervous. I never would've guessed, you were so brave talking to Mega-ass. I was beginning to think your kind had no fear." She said softly, settling down and cuddling against his cheek, before yawning. "Guess I was wrong."

Ratchet sighed, the sound muted, and stayed still, allowing her to sit where she was. Under normal circumstances, any other charge would be on their afts glaring up at him for dumping them on the ground because they tried the gesture. Today he'd let her do it, because it was the only time he'd feel bad about offending or hurting them.

It didn't take long for Jennie to fall asleep against his cheek, mumbling softly in some dream. At least he accepted her now.

~~

"Wake up, Medic." A servo roughly grabbed Ratchet's chin, claws scraping his jawline. Ratchet opened his optics and jerked his helm away, making sure Jennie didn't fall from his shoulder. She woke up as well, tensing when she saw Megatron standing in front of them.

"What do you want?" She snapped, clenching her hands into fists.

Megatron flashed her a glare before returning his attention to Ratchet. "I informed you I'd return. This is your last chance to tell me where your base is. Will you comply?" Ratchet narrowed his optics at him, and shook his helm slowly.

"Ratchet..." Jennie whimpered.

"GrrAH!" Megatron snarled in anger and drew his sword. "Your incompetent glitch! I'll tear your spark out!" He lifted the blade and rested it on the medic's cheek, slowly dragging it down, creating a thin line of energon as the cut was made.

"Leave him alone!" Keeping back fearful tears, Jennie said angrily.

Be quiet... Ratchet silently pleaded her. Pleeeaase be quiet....

Megatron took a few steps back and activated his fusion cannon. "Shut it, Pest. I have a medic to scrap." He aimed it in between the medic's optics, a smirk coming to his lips. "Now, any last words? Oh, I forgot! Your mute!" Ratchet grit his denta in agitation.

Frag you to the Pits... The medic inwardly cursed.

"Now," Megatron stepped closer so the barrel of the cannon was almost touching Ratchet's forehelm. "Prepare to unite with those Autobots lost to the war!"

Sorry for the super slow update, guys!