Tidbit 1-Part 13
Ratchet talks about Amy passing out during her ankle surgery, and Jetfire is forced to make a difficult decision
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Ratchet sighed, and walked over to the window with his hands in his pockets. "Do you remember that first surgery? When your right synoval hinge was shattered?"
Amy nodded slowly. "Yeah, I remember."
Chromia looked at Bumblebee confused.
Bumblebee mouthed. Her ankle broke.
Ohhh. Chromia nodded.
Ratchet turned, leaned his back against the wall next to the window, and folded his arms. "During your recovery period from the anesthesia, my equipment registered hypovolemic shock." He explained.
Amy, usually savvy to most medical terminology since her dad had been in the military as a doctor, tried to convince herself that she had heard Ratchet wrong. "Say again?
"Hypovolemic shock." Ratchet said again.
Again, Chromia looked at Bumblebee.
Bumblebee shrugged.
Chromia nodded, her mouth open slightly as if she wanted to ask a question.
Ratchet sighed. "In layman's terms, it means-"
"My heart couldn't supply my body with enough blood to compensate for what I was losing." Amy explained, interrupting Ratchet.
Chromia, Bumblebee, and Ratchet especially, all looked at Amy dumbfounded.
Chromia pursed her lips. "So...?"
"I was bleeding to death." Amy gasped slightly. She looked at Ratchet as the blood drained from her face. "Am I dreaming all of this?"
Ratchet shook his head. "I was not finished."
Amy waved her hand. "Finish."
"You had no open wound." Ratchet said simply. "My instruments all read that you were losing mass amounts of blood, but there was no way for it to get out."
"I love that you're speaking in layman's terms, but it just doesn't sound right." Amy said in utter shock.
"I have my doubts as to the validity of your statement." Ratchet said.
"That's a little better." Amy held her stomach with her right arm. "Okay, I'm okay, I'm not dead."
"Amy-" Bumblebee started.
"I'm okay." Amy said shakily. "I just...technically bled to death in that dream I had." She closed her eyes.
"Dream?" Chromia jumped up. "What dream?"
Amy looked at the woman, her eyes wide. "A scorpion," Amy said cautiously. "It was attacking me for a little blue stick." She leaned back. "Anyway, it was just a stupid dream."
"That's not true, Amy," Bumblebee started. "You found half of the key at your dwelling!"
Amy sighed. "Yeah..." She looked down. "But no scorpion, so...it was just a dream, right?"
Ratchet folded his arms. "I have to agree with Bumblebee. Your dream holds a certain significance to your consciousness."
Amy glanced up. "I don't follow."
"Neither do I!" Chromia huffed. "Speak plain cybertron!"
Bumblebee snickered.
"As I was saying," Ratchet scratched his head. "Amy, in your dream, you say you were attacked."
Amy nodded. "Yeah, it really frickin' hurt, too."
"The scorpion you are referring to is called Scorponok." Ratchet further explained. "It is not a cognizant being."
Chromia's eye twitched.
"Meaning it does not think for itself. It is given explicit instructions, and as long as it is functional, it will carry them out." Ratchet placed a hand on Amy's shoulder.
"So, it was given an order to kill me?" Amy raised an eyebrow.
"Not you specifically, no." Ratchet said.
Chromia coughed, and muttered something in Cybertron.
Ratchet sighed. "It was not sent to kill you." He gave Chromia a pointed look.
Chromia held her hands up innocently.
Bumblebee frowned at the woman in fatigues.
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Jetfire paced the command center, a single data file displayed on the screen. "This is impossible!" He bellowed.
"No, it is improbable." Inferno glowered at the pacing Vice Commander. "Would you stop pacing, Commander?"
"No!" Jetfire paused to yell, and glared at Inferno for a moment longer then sat down.
Inferno went about opening a couple of related data files.
"Does she know?" Jetfire asked.
"Unlikely." Inferno said matter-of-factly. "Memories, dates, names, a basic life have all been implemented. She is unaware of who, or what she really is."
Jetfire took a deep proverbial breath. "Why didn't any of Optimus's team suspect anything? The little thing she carries around should have been a dead giveaway."
"One would think," Inferno looked at Jetfire. "If you know what you are looking for." He looked back at the screen and pulled up the file about Trigger. "We know the small one's designation."
"Yeah." Jetfire stood by Inferno at the console. "But why her?"
"When it was re-activated it probably instantaneously assimilated her." Inferno sighed, and folded her arms.
Jetfire nodded. "Guess that makes her lucky."
Inferno scoffed. "Are you kidding? The lucky ones died."
Jetfire slapped the back of Inferno's head with a resounding clank.
"sorry, sir!" Inferno bowed. "Yes, very lucky, but there is still the fact that we need to tell her."
Jetfire glared.
"Sir!" Inferno saluted.
Jetfire's optics dimmed as he thought. "She doesn't know, right?"
"Not to the knowledge of anyone here, sir." Inferno said officially. "Chromia was dispatched to gather intelligence, sir, and find out how much the girl may already know."
Jetfire nodded. "Good. I'll go, too. Maybe I can come with something to get her back here to the base."
"Very good, sir! But-...um..." Inferno's arm lowered.
"Yeah, what now?" Jetfire turned.
"It's Optmus's team, sir. They are...attached to her." Inferno muttered.
Jetfire sighed. "Yeah, I know, but...to coin one of Angie's phrases Shit happens."
Inferno sulked. "Permission to speak freely, sir."
Jetfire held his head. "Go ahead, just make it quick." He groaned. "I'm on a tight schedule now.
"I do not wish to be part of your plans, sir." Inferno said hesitantly.
Jetfire turned, a little stunned. Inferno had always been first to follow him into battle, so why so hesitant now? "Very well, soldier. You can stay here, and,I dunno, monitor...stuff."
"Thank you, sir." Inferno saluted.
Jetfire started to leave, and was halfway out the door.
"Oh, by the way, sir!" Inferno called.
Jetfire groaned. "What, what, what?" He growled, and turned. "What is it, and how many more by the ways are there?"
"Our recon team checked in today, sir." Inferno said.
"Oh," Jetfire thought for a second. "That's good, but we might not need the commander."
Inferno looked confused. "Why is that, sir?"
" 'Cause I'm here, why could we possibly need him for?" Jetfire waved. "See ya!"
Inferno sighed. "Aye, sir."
After transforming to his synthoid form, Jetfire ran around the base, the sound of his rubber thongs echoing off the walls. He slid to a stop at a fork in the path, and turned to look down each new direction before sprinting off to the right. He ran as fast as he could to the OR, told Firestar to meet him topside in twenty minutes, and continued off to find his human companion.
Angie sat outside the SW maintenance tunnel, enjoying the slight breeze from the cooling fan. Sparkplug sat across from her, holding a black iPod. He ran his thumb along the selection slider, browsing the songs.
"You got Rascal Flatts in there?" Angie asked, unwrapping a large cube of purple bubblegum. "Here, you want half?"
Sparkplug glanced up with his eyes, his optics blinking once.
"Riiight." Angie popped the chunk in her mouth. "Wobob." She said around the blob of gum.
Synthoid Jefire walked up just as Angie said Wobob. "What?" The red-head asked exasperated.
Angie snorted, and had to cover her mouth as sticky, purple spit came out of her mouth.
Sparkplug shook his head slowly at Angie then looked back down at the iPod. "Oi found it." He said.
Jetfire sighed. "Okay, kids, get your gear on, we're going for a ride." He clapped his hands.
"Woh?" Angie warbled.
"Come on!" Jetfire grabbed her arm. "You too, chuckles." He pointed at Sparkplug.
Sparkplug rolled his optics, and stood.
"And put more clothes on, Spark, we're going into public." Jetfire released Angie's arm. "Kid," He said exasperated at Angie. "Wash up. I don't think Firestar wants you sticky-ing up her interior."
Angie groaned, and rolled her eyes. "Whab Furstuhr hab do wihb uf?"
Sparkplug sighed. "Don't tolk with your mouth full."
Angie grumbled something in gobs-of-gum-in-your-mouth speak, and stormed away.
"Where's she going?" Jetfire asked Sparkplug. Sparkplug glowered at Jetfire. "Why are you glaring at me?"
"Oim not glaring." Sparkplug sat flatly.
"Yes you are! You're givin' me that look...again!" Jetfire growled.
"This is how I look." Sparkplug said slowly then turned, and walked away to get dressed.
Angie sat in the OR next to a suitcase with stickers from all over the world on it. She pulled on a pair of brown suede boots that extended to mid-thigh then sat for a minute.
"Oh, hello Angie." Firestar walked in holding a metal box.
"AA!" Angie slammed the lid shut.
"I was wondering who's suitcase as hiding in the corner there." Firestar smiled.
Angie started. "Um, I was just-storing it here. I'm moving somewhere...soon." she looked around then stood, and scurried toward the door with jacket and purse in hand.
Firestar set down the box, and followed after.
"What? I'll move it as soon as I get back!" Angie shouted back to the female red Autobot as she pulled on her suede jacket.
Firestar paused, a bit perturbed, and transformed into her pick-up truck alt mode.
Angie stopped running, and looked behind her.
The truck rumbled around the corner, and pulled up next to Angie.
"Hi." Angie said shakily.
The cab door opened.
Angie groaned, and climbed in. "Right."
Amy picked another truffle out of a gold box, and bit off the top.
"And finally there's our leader Optimus Prime." Chromia smiled.
Amy had to gawk slightly. "How do you remember so many names?"
Chromia chuckled. "Oh, I could tell you the names of all the brave sparks I've ever served with." She said reminiscently.
Bumblebee gave a tight smile, and patted Chromia's hand.
Amy popped the last bit of the truffle in her mouth, and sighed. "These are really good, Bumblebee," She smiled. "Where did you get them?"
Bumblebee smiled. "At the convenience store downstairs."
Amy's eyes widened. "Really?"
The blonde nodded.
"With what money?" Amy inquired.
Bumblebee smiled. "I have Earth currency."
Amy shrugged. "Okay, I'll take your word for it."
Chromia suddenly looked serious, and stood up. "He's here." She gulped.
Bumblebee and Ratchet jumped up as well.
"What in Primus is he doing here?" Ratchet gasped.
"He has nothing to do with Amy." Bumblebee murmured, and clenched his fists.
Amy raised an eyebrow. "What the hell is going on?"
The door slammed open.
Amy jumped, but no one else seemed to be fazed.
Chromia, Ratchet, and Bumblebee stood at attention.
Amy looked between the three of them.
Chromia announced something in Cybertron, and the three saluted the door.
Amy leaned forward to see the source of the slammed open door. "A foot?"
A foot was all Amy could see, but it belonged to a man with long red hair, who wasn't a man at all. He wore a par of yellow-tinted sunglasses crookedly on his nose, and sauntered in with a smug smile.
"Hey now, at ease. Not like we're on the clock or nothin'." He grinned, waving his hands at the trio.
"Sir!" Chromia let her arms fall.
Bumblebee and Ratchet both let their arms fall as well.
The red-head stood at the end of the bed, and braced his hands on it. "Well, I'll be an energon cube!" He grinned. "You must be Amy!"
Amy nodded slowly. "Eh. Who are you?" She raised an eyebrow.
"The name's Jetfire. I'm Vice Commander of the Autbots. Please ta' meetcha!" He extended a hand.
Amy reached out, but couldn't grab it. "Er...I can't reach."
"That's okay." Jetfire pulled his hand back, and shoved it in the pocket of his Bermuda shorts. He dug around for something, his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth.
Amy took the moment of distraction as an opportunity to talk to Ratchet. "Psst." She waved Ratchet closer.
The middle-aged synthoid leaned closer, and was grabbed by the collar.
"Is he really Commander of the Autobots?" Amy whispered.
"No," Ratchet whispered back. "He is vice commander of the Autobots.
"Oh." Amy let her grasp relax for a moment then pulled the man down again suddenly. "What does that mean?"
"It means, girly girl, that I'm in charge on Cybertron while Optimus is away." Jetfire found his prize, flicked in the air, caught then tossed it to Amy.
A little blue square landed on Amy's lap.
"I know this." Amy blinked. "It's that thing Trigger found in the debris at the house." A slight throb in her head made her raise her hand to the red spot on the gauze.
"Are you okay, Amy?" Bumblebee asked.
"Yeah." Amy nodded. "M'okay."
"Oh, by the way," Angie stormed in, and turned abruptly to someone behind her dressed head-to-toe in clothing. "Next time you're going to tell a doctor he's wrong, just say it, don't humiliate the poor man!" She shouted.
"Shh!" Chromia chided the pair. "This is a hospital, stop yelling!" She hissed.
Angie folded her arms, and stuck out her tongue. "Spoiled sport."
"That is completely beside the point." Chromia grumbled. "Why did you have to bring her?"
Jetfire shrugged. "Ehhhh-I like 'er, she's good for a laugh."
"Helloooo! I'm not a sideshow!" Angie waved a hand at Jetfire.
"Hello! You're as good as one though." Jetfire grinned.
Amy sighed. "Why do I keep attracting weirdos to my hospital room."
"If you think we're weird, you should check out the carnies camped outside the room. Some hot black guy who's talkin' with a cowboy that looks like my grampa." Angie said, jabbing a thumb at the doorway.
Amy gasped. "Black guy? Wearing black and white?" She leaned forward expectantly, her eyes bugging.
Angie narrowed her eyes, and sidled slowly toward the door. "Why? I saw him first!" She exclaimed.
"Shhhh!" Chromia shushed the girl again. "Can't you stay quiet for ten microns?"
"No. Of course, it would probably help if I know what a micron is." Angie then stuck out her tongue again.
"Please let me kill her." Chromia muttered.
"No." Jetfire said, his arms folded.
"Please let me maim her." Chromia growled.
"No." Jetfire reiterated, getting a little confused.
"Then I will destroy her on my own time." Chromia glared first at Angie then at Jetfire.
Jetfire opened his mouth to object then closed it and looked at Chromia with a face only describable as WTF?!?!
Sparkplug glanced at Angie then Chromia then Jetfire, shook his head, and walked toward amy. "Whoy do I even bother." He mumbled, and came to stand next to Amy, Ratchet, and Bumblebee.
"Hi." Amy shifted slightly away from the figure.
"Don't be alarmed." Sparkplug pushed off his hood, and removed the scarf.
Amy gawked.
"Earth designation Sparkplog."
Amy let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Y'know two week ago I probably would have screamed, and run away from you."
Sparkplug sighed, and let his head fall into his hand.
Ratchet stepped in then. "This is Special Operations Reconnaissance specialist Sparkplug." Ratchet introduced. "He is Lazerbeak's parent program."
"You mean partner?" Amy asked, knowing there was not possible way this robot could have fathered a silver metal bird...although she had no idea about Transformer reproductive habits, and would probably sleep much sounder not knowing.
"Oi designed Lazerbeak." Sparkplug said. "Oi'm 'is parentprogram. 'E's based off of moy recon training."
Amy nodded. "Ohhh."
"Anyway, enough chit-chat. Ratch'," Jetfire pointed to the brunette man. "Y'gotta bring 'er in."
Amy's eyes widened. "Why do I not like the sound of that?"
"Relaaaax, kid. It's just a teensy weensy procedure he's gotta do that you might possibly not ever wake up from-HEY! Time's a wastin'!" Jetfire started to leave.
Jazz stormed in, grabbed Jetfire by the collar, and threw the red-head against the wall, eliciting a surprised eep.
"You touch one inch of that girl, and I will personally put you offline!" Jazz bellowed. "Do you understand me!?"
"What about a centimeter?" Jetfire asked. "Y'know Earth-people, they gotta hundred ways o' measurin' things."
"What on Earth is going on in here?" A doctor and two nurses ran in.
Sparkplug ducked, and pulled on his disguise again.
"I said Do you understand me?!" Jazz growled, reinforcing his point by jerking the red-head.
"I really don't wanna have to put you in more trouble than you are, but I will."
"The lieutenant isn't in trouble, Vice Commander." Bumblebee said.
"Not in a court-martial sense, but trouble as in," Jetfire pretended to think. "You're only here 'cause your body's bein' regenerated. You can be there, in stasis if you keep goin' like yer goin'."
"Jazz, that's enough!" Amy exclaimed.
"Nurse, call security!" The doctor shouted to one nurse.
Ironhide caught the nurse by the arm before she could leave. "That is not necessary, I assure you."
The doctor glared at the heavy black-clad man. "Who the hell are you? All of you shouldn't be in here! Visiting hours are over!"
"We are here to take Amy home." Ironhide rumbled.
"Not unless the hospital discharges her first. Now, all of you have to leave. Family only." The doctor growled. "Or I will call security!"
"Theyare family." Amy said firmly.
The doctor turned. "They can't all be family."
"Why not? That's my uncle you're threatening. This woman here is his wife, my aunt," Amy gestured to Chromia.
Chromia started.
Amy pointed to Bumblebee. "This is their son, my cousin."
"Alright, and them?" The doctor pointed to the pair at the wall.
Amy stared at Jazz for a long moment. "The black guy is my boyfriend, and the guy he's holding up is his step-brother."
"Wha-" Jetfire started to protest, but Jazz covered his mouth.
"Who's this?" The doctor pointed to Angie.
"I'm her sister." Angie grinned.
The doctor looked at Amy.
Amy nodded.
"And the leper?" The doctor asked. "Who's he?"
Amy looked at Sparkplug. "My sister's fiancé."
The doctor looked like he was buying it.
Sparkplug frowned beneath his disguise.
"Okay, but what about that guy?" The doctor pointed to Ratchet.
Amy turned, and looked at Ratchet.
Ratchet regarded her.
"He's-" Amy started. The doctor cleared his throat. "He's my dad." Amy said then looked back at the doctor.
The doctor raised an eyebrow.
"What?" Amy made a disgusted face at the man. "Are you calling me a liar?"
"N...no..." The doctor stammered.
Two security guards ran in.
"It's okay, nevermind." The doctor waved them away.
The guards each nodded, and glanced around the room.
Amy stared at the taller (and more handsome). She caught his eye as he left, and noticed his eyes were the most dazzling light blue she had ever seen, and yet somehow familiar...
"Family, huh?" Angie snorted.
"Yup." Amy sighed. "Just one big, happy family."
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Reviews not necessary, but welcome just the same