If It's Not Too Late

This wasn't happening.

If only he saw it coming, if only he looked out for her and not himself all the wrecking time. He let his partner get shot, and it was all his wrecking fault!

They were both in the safety of the other side of the Space Bridge. Everyone was safe, except her.

He didn't realize how injured she was until he turned around…

"Arcee…!"

Drops of energon painted downwards on her body. Wheeljack caught her as she wavered aimlessly. She was hit badly with a dark energon blaster. And it was taking her life slowly, bit by bit.

'No, this wasn't happening, it can't be happening…!'

Where was Ratchet? If he got her to a medic bay, she'll be okay. She was going to be okay… she had to.

"It's gonna be alright…" he tried to believe his own words. "Ratchet's gonna fix you up and you'll be good as new. He's a maestro."

"Wheeljack…" she breathed, faint. "It's dark energon… it'll infect you, get away… Before it gets to you."

He could care less about the dark energon. "I'm not leaving you behind!"

His optics felt moist. No… This was not. Could not. Be happening. He held on tightly to her as he could.

"I always thought it would be my partners who'd go out before me… I guess it's my turn now."

"No, don't say that, Ratchet's gonna come and you'll be good as new…! Think of Bulk… of Bumblebee, Optimus… I need you!"

"Arcee… Please don't go. Please…" He placed his head over her helm, closing his optics. "I love you."

He was an idiot. After all this time, fighting on the battlefield together, missing out on all the chances they could have had. She was his friend, colleague, councilor. So much time wasted, and he didn't tell her then.

He lost so many friends during this pointless war. He couldn't lose her too!

"I love you, Arcee… Please don't go. I need you."

She gingerly reached for his hand and placed it against her cheek. He felt her lips against the hand she held. How could she smile when she knew she was going to die?

"Ever since I lost my first partner, everyone around me pretty much gave up on me," she began. "I always seemed to push you away, but you always came back… No matter what I dished out, you were always there. You saved me… when nobody else could."

A shed of lubricant rolled down his face.

"You've shown me… someone as damaged as me was worth fighting for. At least… this way, I won't be alone. Thank you… for coming back for me."

The light in her optics fade away as they dimmed to black. Her spark was extinguished. She was with the Allspark. Her spirit, full of vigor and fight now left her tiny body… and she wasn't coming back.