Endpoint (A TFP Fanfiction)

Optimus felt lubricant falling down his faceplate as he woke, his vent shaky and hitching. He sat up slowly, bringing his servos to his helm. He sobbed silently at the horror he had just witnessed. That was the last of his memories, and it was a hard one. The mech he had seen as his own son was dead, brutally murdered like the rest of them. The poor scout had been tortured and hurt so brutally that he almost hadn't been himself. Optimus was even more shocked with the fact that he had broken. He had given up on all hope, wishing that his own spark would be extinguished like the others. He couldn't believe himself, giving up when they needed him the most. He cursed himself over and over as he vented to himself, not caring if Ratchet or Taylor saw him. Slowly, ever so slowly he calmed down, but not before making a promise to himself. He would never allow himself to become like that again, and would fight to the very end. He wanted to promise that he wouldn't lose anyone else, too, but deep inside he knew that it was impossible to know.

He got up slowly, venting to himself. He looked around the small base and found that Ratchet leaning against the wall asleep again, his derma parted slightly. His arms were again crossed, but his faceplate looked more peaceful. The Prime saw that the young girl was sitting on between his helm and shoulder plate, like in the picture. She was awake, watching Optimus while leaning on the medic's helm. When he got up, she flinched, but shot him a small smile.

"Um," she muttered. "H-Hi."

He offered her a smile as well, staying where he was so not to frighten her. "Hello, Taylor. Did I disturb you?"

She shrugged. "No... but you looked... upset."

"I.. have been dreaming off the past," he admitted to her gently. "A painful past. One I wish I could change."

Her eyes changed as she glanced away, her face becoming more relaxed and gentle. "I think everyone has a past they wish they could change," she answered. "I wish that none of this.. ever happened. That I had stayed with Ratchet." She looked down to the mech sadly.

"There are some things in life that can never change," Optimus said, carefully taking a step closer. Taylor didn't flinch this time, a good sign.

She looked back up to the Prime. "He's so different now... I mean, he was always grumpy, but.." she sighed shakily. "Look at him. He's missing an optic, covered in scars. I went through torture, but I can only imagine what the... others did to him." She shuddered, rubbing her hand along his facial plate. "And now much pain he feels."

Optimus felt a sense of sorrow. If only she knew, the entire story, but he had doubts that the medic would ever tell her, which he could not blame him for. He himself wasn't sure if he was ready to tell her either, at the current time. He walked closer to Ratchet and the girl. She inched away only slightly, looking up at him longingly.

"Will he.. tell me what the others were like?" she asked quietly and hesitantly. "I really wanted to meet you all, a long time ago.."

The Prime shook his helm sadly. "When he is ready," he replied. He looked at the recharging mech's faceplate and suddenly felt bad that he had been occupying the berth for so long. Ratchet had no other berth to recharge on, and probably got a restless sleep while standing up.

As if on cue, the doctor's optic fluttered open slowly, the light slowly getting brighter. He groaned slightly as he pushed himself off the wall, rotating some of his limbs. He saw Optimus standing in front of him and gave him a confused look, before he felt Taylor leaning on his helm. He lifted his good servo and hugged her with it, which she returned by wrapping her arms the best she could around his faceplate. Optimus smiled, his spark fluttery as he watched them bond without words. He was glad his old friend had someone else to confide in now.