Ratchet found Optimus in front of the screens, which was turning out to be Optimus' favorite place. The red and blue bot jumped a bit at the brief touch of a servo on his shoulder. "Oh, Ratchet."
"You wanted to talk to me?" Ratchet asked. Optimus nodded.
"There was a signal. It wasn't long, so I almost didn't notice it. It came with a message. For you," Optimus said. He opened the message before leaving Ratchet to listen to it. Once he did, Ratchet's optics went wide, and he practically bolted from the room. That drew the attention of each Autobot and human in one of the rooms Ratchet ran through on his way to his quarters.
"That wasn't normal. I'm going to see what's wrong with Ratchet,"Optimus said as he stood and walked to Ratchet's quarters. He knocked and heard a yell of "go away". "Ratchet, I just want to talk." The door slid open a moment later, and Optimus entered.
"What do you want?" Ratchet snapped.
"What made you run through the base like that? Are you alright?" Optimus asked. Ratchet sighed and motioned for Optimus to sit beside him on the berth.
"A friend of mine. He made me a promise just before he left, and I haven't seen him since. I've been missing him more and more since the incident with Lockdown," Ratchet replied.
"Was he a close friend?"
"Yeah. He was. I don't even know if he's online. He probably left Cybertron before the younger bots like Bumblebee were even sparked," Ratchet replied. There was silence for a moment before Ratchet laughed softly.
"What?"
"You would've loved him. He was great at spouting off facts. We fought in the great war, but he couldn't take being followed and adored by fans any more," Ratchet said. Optimus watched as Ratchet went from gloomy to happy in a few moments.
"He was famous?"
"Yeah. My entire team was. Or, actually his team was famous. He was being questioned where ever he went. So, with several of the other Autobots he left Cybertron and our pasts behind. I was one of the only ones left behind to cover the story up. I should've gone with them. Or at least asked them to stay. I didn't think he'd never be back. He said he would be..." Ratchet trailed off. "I just need a mission to get my mind off it."
"Let's go on patrol. I can get one of the others to take ours," Optimus offered. Ratchet gave a nod before standing and transforming. "I'll meet you out there."
"Fine," Ratchet answered. His usual attitude was back making Optimus smile. Ratchet rushed off and Optimus asked one of the others to take their patrols.
The next few days passed like nothing had happened. There were few actual missions that the Autobots had to deal with. The Decepticons for their part stayed quiet. Ratchet downloaded the message from the computer and found himself listening to it again and again. To hear that deep rich voice made his spark race with relief. He knew his friend was safe. He could finally relax with that knowledge. He couldn't stop his mind from going to the day all of his friends had walked away. His promise to the medic that he would in fact return. He jumped as the door to Med bay slid open to reveal their young red and blue leader. "Problem, Prime?"
"Bumblebee and Sari tried to prank Prowl, and failed. They got me by accident, and I hurt my shoulder," Optimus softly replied. Ratchet placed the data-pad aside and motioned for Optimus to take a seat on the berth. Once he was seated, Ratchet scanned over the shoulder before stepping away to get a tool he needed. "What did your friend say?" Ratchet tossed the data-pad over and Optimus pressed the bottom button.
"Autobot Medic Ratchet. If you get this, then I've finally found you. I never stopped looking for you. I'm sorry it's taken so long, but my ship was badly damaged. I'm on my way to fufill my promise. Don't try and contact me since you won't be able to reach my ship. Prime out."
"He's coming here?" Optimus asked. Ratchet gave him a rare smile and Optimus nodded. "Then he's welcome here."
"Boss bot!" Bumblebee yelled as he abandoned his post and ran in the room.
"What is it Bee?" Optimus questioned. His servo went to his torn shoulder as he turned to face the yellow Autobot.
"There's a ship heading towards us!" Bumblebee barely managed to talk in a way that allowed the others to understand any of it. Optimus gave Ratchet a smile.