Queen Sunstar: This is a two shot commission for Amerella who is recovering from back surgery to correct a birth defect. If you want me to do a commission for you, pm me with what you want and I'll try to deliver. In my profile is the list of fandoms I write for.
Summary: When Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, and Ratchet all come down with Cyberflu, Optimus takes care of them on top of dealing with a situation on Griffin Rock and making sure to get Jack, Miko, and Raf to and from school on time.
Fanon background: Altima Prime is my OC. She is the daughter of Optimus by Elita. She will play a bigger part in the second half. Arcee is Elita's sister thus making her Altima's aunt and Optimus's sister in law. Altima is currently living with the Rescue Bots and helping them out with rescues.
TRANSFORMERS PRIME
SICK
Jack Darby waited in front of his house for Arcee to come pick him up for school. The Autobot Feme was late, which was totally not like her. He tapped his foot as he looked down the road. Where was Arcee? May be something happened at the Autobots Base. Arcee had to be fine. Maybe something happened to Optimus. Arcee would never leave his side if he was injured or sick. Maybe- Jack jumped when a horn sounded followed by the hiss of air brakes. He looked up to find a very familiar red and blue semi pulling to a stop before him. The door opened and Jack was even more surprised to find Miko and Raf already inside. Optimus never did kid duty unless he had to. What was up?
"Get in, Jack!" Miko reached out to pull Jack into the waiting semi.
"So Optimus, why are you on kid duty?" Jack asked after he had buckled up.
"Your guardians have all taken sick. It's nothing serious, but they are going to be out of action for a few days. Arcee got sick last night, Bumblebee got sick in the middle of the night, and Bulkhead joined them this morning, right before he was to leave to pick you guys up. I'll pick you up after school." Optimus stopped for a red light.
It wasn't long after that Optimus pulled into the school yard. He opened his door and let the kids climb out. Jack led the dash into the school building. Optimus closed his door and sighed. It was time to head back to base and deal with his sick team.
"Ratchet, the bucket!" Arcee called, rolling to her side. Ratchet grabbed the bucket and rushed it to her before she could purge her tanks all over the floor. A moment later, Bumblebee gestured for a bucket. Optimus got one to him in time. Bulkhead looked up and caught the bucket Ratchet tossed to him. He had purged his tanks twice so far. That number became three five minutes later.
"They have Cyberflu." Ratchet leaned against the door frame and rubbed his tired optics. He had been up all night and would not get to recharge for a while yet, "I really wish you would take my advice and stay away. You and I both know you can't fight off infections as well as the others can. You catch this and you could die."
"I already told you, no. They need me. You can't take care of all three of them by yourself." Optimus pointed out, "Besides, I am pretty sure I would have had it by now."
"They've got 48 hours to go before they start recovering." Ratchet sighed, "Slag this headache to the pits of Charr. I can barely think straight." Optimus gave him a look, "Don't look at me like that. It is just a headache."
"They all had headaches during the first hour, Ratchet." Optimus reached behind him for a bucket.
"I'm- bucket!" Ratchet cried out as Optimus handed him the bucket. Ratchet purged his tanks harshly as Optimus rubbed his back.
"Go take a berth." Optimus said.
"But Optimus, I can't! I've got sick Autobots to take care of!" Ratchet protested.
"Berth, or else." Optimus threatened.
"Okay, I'm going. I don't have to like it." Ratchet complied. He took his bucket with him. Optimus knew that for the next 48 hours, he was going to be run ragged. He was glad that he'd sent Altima to Heatwave on Griffin Rock so she would be safe. At that moment, the monitor in the main room beeped. Optimus ran to the monitor and clicked answer. Heatwave was waiting for him.
"If this is about Altima, I'm not sure I want to hear it." Optimus sighed, bracing himself for Heatwaves report.
"Altima is being good, and that scares me." Heatwave didn't bother with pleasantries, "She's actually helping me out with the wildfire raging up on the hills above the city. I have her patrolling the road leading out of the city. She has been reporting in regularly. I'm calling because I need extra hands on deck. Blades, Boulder, Chase, and I are nearly overwhelmed by the blaze."
"I'm afraid you are on your own. I'm dealing with an outbreak of Cyberflu." Optimus explained, "I'm on my own here."
"Prime…"
"I'm coming! I have to cut this short." Optimus ended the call and ran back to sick bay in time to grab a bucket for Arcee. He rubbed her back as she purged.
"I can't keep anything down." Arcee leaned against Optimus.
"Take it easy, nice and slow. You have a bad virus. It is going to take time." Optimus soothed.
"Prime…" Optimus rushed a bucket to Ratchet.
"You shouldn't be doing my job." Ratchet sulked when he finally stopped purging.
"You are sick right now. You'll be back to normal in 48 hours. Right now you need to rest. I'm handling everything." Optimus checked his internal clock. He still had four hours until he had to go pick up the kids. He knew he couldn't leave his team alone like this.
"Optimus…" Bulkhead groaned. Optimus tossed him a bucket into which Bulkhead purged his tanks, "Fourth time…"
"I want all of you to enter recharge." Optimus decided, "You all need to rest."
Bumblebee whined pathetically, What if I get sick in my recharge?
"Rest, Bee." Optimus heard the monitor chime and rushed out to it.
"Optimus, Blades is down, Heatwave is out of control, and Altima won't listen to me." Chase complained, "We're losing ground to the wildfire too."
"I would send you aid, but unfortunately the aid all chose to get sick with Cyberflu at the same time. I'll see if I can convince Wheeljack to go help you." Optimus answered, "Put Altima on."
"Hi, Dad." Altima knew she was in trouble, "In my defense, I saved two people."
"Altima, I know you probably resent me for sending you away. You are safer in Griffin Rock. Megatron can't threaten you anymore. I know you are bored. You are a Princess. Remember what Princesses do?" Optimus asked.
"Princesses must set the example for her people." Altima recited, "She must do what is best for her people and be the light that guides them for she will be their Queen someday."
"And?" Optimus pressed.
"She must respect her elders and learn from them. She must adhere to the laws of her people and the ground rules laid out by her Father." Altima finished, "I have not been respecting my elders. Blades is hardly my elder. He is two years older than me. Don't get any ideas. Chase is a carbon copy of Uncle Magnus, Heatwave would like to see me chained to Fire station Prime, and Boulder needs a sign warning those that he can lecture them into comas."
"They are still your elders, Altima. I know this is no way to raise you. For me, can you please behave?" Optimus asked.
"I'm trying, but the boredom is driving me crazy." Altima said, "I'm so bored here, Dad."
"Optimus…"
"Altima, I will be right back." Optimus took off for sick bay, sliding a bucket to Ratchet who purged his tanks. He flopped back down onto his berth and sighed miserably. Optimus checked each Autobots temperature. No one was overheating. He rushed back to the computer, "I have been thinking about this. How about this, I send you to Alpha Q. You can attend his school. You won't be bored."
"No!" Altima cried out, "No way! That's cruel and unusual punishment!"
"This is your last chance. If I hear you have been misbehaving again, I will send you to Alpha Q. Do you understand me?" Optimus asked.
"I understand, Dad." Altima was quiet, "I'll be good."
They signed off. Optimus checked his internal clock and realized he was running late. Glancing toward sick bay, he jogged in to find his team in recharge. Turning, he transformed and raced toward the school, making sure to stay on the speed limit and obey the rules of the road. He pulled into the school and activated his holo-avatar into his driver's seat before any awkward questions could be asked. Jack and Raf were waiting for him. Miko ran toward them. Optimus opened his door.
"Thanks for the lift home!" Jack started.
"I didn't know you were in town, Uncle Cullen! What a nice surprise!" Raf finished.
This was something that had been discussed and agreed upon long ago. After the kids had buckled up, Optimus took to the road back to base.
"I got all of them into recharge. It is best that you stay quiet and as usual, homework comes first." Optimus explained, "I will take you to see your guardians after homework is done. They need their recharge."
"Awe." Miko said, "I've got tons of homework! I'll never finish!"
"You wouldn't have so much if you actually did your class work in class." Jack pointed out.
"At least I'm not failing math." Miko grouched.
"I told you, I thought those last five problems were for extra credit!" Jack snapped back.
Raf sighed, "Come on you two."
"Only you would do something like that!" Miko shot back.
"Don't make me make you both walk to the base!" Optimus cut in before Jack could answer, "I would dare, so don't ask."
Miko shut her mouth. The kids stayed quiet for the rest of the drive. Once back at the base, Optimus let the kids out and transformed. The kids went to their part of the base and got down to their homework without any more complaints. Optimus walked into sick bay. His team members were all still in recharge. Optimus checked the monitors and set up an IV for Arcee, who was showing signs of dehydration. She didn't even stir.
"Good job."
Optimus turned, "Ratchet, you should be in recharge."
"Not with sick Autobots in my med bay." came the dry retort.
"It's an order." Optimus replied.
Ratchet sighed, "Fine, I'll go into recharge." Optimus waited until he heard the soft snores of his medic before leaving.
Out in the main room, Jack and Miko were squabbling over a math problem while Raf worked on his laptop. The monitor dinged. Optimus felt a processor ache starting behind his optics. He walked over to the monitor and answered the call.
"What did Altima do now?" He asked.
"Altima didn't do anything. Chase and Blades are both down, and the wildfire has reached the city." Heatwave said, "I've never been more tired in my life. Boulder is still digging fire breaks, and I sent Altima out to deliver a cube of Energon to him. We need help."
"I wish I could help you. Wheeljack said he was in route to your location. His story is that he is a highly experimental robot with state of the art technology that allows him to think and act for himself. His ship is a prototype craft designed for his use. I told him to leave all of his weapons here." Optimus reached up to rub his temples.
At that moment, a blackened Altima rushed on to the screen. She opened her mouth but ended up coughing up soot. As soon as she caught her breath, she turned to the screen.
"Dad, I'm fine. Heatwave, Boulder is trapped under flaming debris." She coughed again, "I can't get to him. It's too hot."
"I'll go get him. Altima, go check on Blades and Chase, and get a shower." Heatwave turned to the screen, "I have to go, Sire." The monitor went dark.
Optimus waited for his spark to climb out of his throat and go back to his chest where it was supposed to be. He forced himself to breathe deeply. His processor ache reminded him it was still around. He turned to check on the kids.
"Jack, please tell me you know what two plus two equals." Raf had finished his homework and was helping Jack with his math homework. Miko was working furiously on a writing assignment. Jack turned red and corrected his answer to the problem.
"Done!" Miko stuffed her books and papers back into her bag, "So, do I get to go see Bulk now?"
"I'm finished finally." Jack put his books and papers into his bag neatly.
"I finished my homework an hour ago." Raf patted his laptop.
"Don't be alarmed, but you will see wires and lines everywhere. Arcee had a minor emergency earlier caused by dehydration. They will be fine. They may not be awake." Optimus knelt so the kids could climb up onto his hand. He took them to sick bay.
Ratchet was on his side, an arm dangling off the berth as he slept. Bumblebee sat up as Optimus entered, while Bulkhead came online. Arcee turned her head. Optimus sighed. This visit would be short.
"Ratchet is sick too?" Miko asked.
"He got it taking care of your guardians." Optimus went to Bumblebee first. Raf hopped over to Bee's shoulder. Bulkhead reached out for Miko, while Arcee managed a weak smile as Optimus brought Jack to her. Pretty soon, hushed conversations rose as the kids and their guardians began to talk. Optimus took the opportunity to slip into Ratchet's office and rub his temples again. His processer ache was getting better, but it was still reminding him it was there.
"How do you feel?" Jack settled down next to Arcee's head.
"I feel like I've been run over by Optimus a few times, and hit in the gut with Bulkheads wreaking balls for good measure." Arcee smiled, "I am feeling a little better. Cyberflu sucks. It affects every transformer differently. Some don't suffer long like Bulkhead and Ratchet; others end up sicker than dogs, like me and Bee. I'll be back in action in a few days. So, how do you like Optimus getting you to school?"
"Hmm," Jack looked around for Optimus, "He is a good ride, but I'd rather be on you."
It felt too soon when Optimus returned to take the kids home. When he got back, Ratchet was still asleep. He had rolled onto his back and his mouth was open. Bee had slipped into recharge along with Bulkhead. Arcee looked up. She suddenly sat up.
"Optimus, bucket!" she gasped as Optimus rushed a bucket to her. Arcee purged her tanks again and again. She sank back onto her berth with an agonized sigh, only to bolt up and grab the bucket to purge again. Optimus rubbed her back as she retched into the bucket. She finally finished and leaned against Optimus, "I thought I was feeling better."
"It takes time." Optimus sat with her, his hand still rubbing her back like he would do with Altima when she was sick. Arcee's face was white instead of its usual silver. Her coloring was pale.
"That feels good." Arcee blinked, wondering why there were dark spots in her vision. She was tired, so very tired. Recharge, she needed to slip into recharge. She looked up at Optimus, and everything went black.
"Arcee? Arcee!" Optimus quickly laid Arcee down on the berth. Ratchet rose and stumbled toward Arcee, but Optimus caught him before he could fall.
"Get my scanner!" Ratchet ordered, hanging on to the wall next to Arcee's berth. Optimus found the scanner and brought it to Ratchet, "Her body is in crisis! She's severely dehydrated! I need to set up a central line now!" Ratchet trembled as he looked up at the monitor, "You are going to have to do it, Optimus. I'm shaking too hard. I'll talk you through it. Take the scalpel and find her spark. Good, now move your hand one inch to the right and one inch down. Good. Now, make a two inch cut and put your finger inside the cut. Feel for what will feel like a large tube. That's the vena cava. Take the needle with the tube on the end and slide it into the vena cava. Good. Now take the bag of energon and attach it to the tube. Hang it and place a dressing on the wound. Tape it in place. Help me over to her so I can check your work. You did it right." Optimus half carried the medic back to his berth. "You will need to keep an optic on her at all times. I have to recharge. Wake me if there is any change, good or bad." Ratchet let recharge take him.
Optimus resumed his watch over his team. The hours trickled by. Arcee's color began to return. Optimus knew that this was a very good thing. It meant that Arcee was getting better. He turned his head to check on his team. Bumblebee's body had finally lost the brownish tint that had crept up on him, Bulkhead's color was darker instead of the pale green it once was, and Ratchets red markings didn't look so pink. Optimus knew the worst was over. He knew he needed to recharge but he refused to rest. He would sleep later, after his team recovered. His internal alarm told him it was time to take the kids to school.
White light bled into her optics. Something small and warm was curled up next to her. Opening her optics, Arcee looked down to see Jack asleep against her, a blanket tucked around him, his head pillowed on her arm. She looked up as the sound of footsteps reached her audio sensors. Optimus smiled. He looked like he had not had any recharge in days. Black bags rested beneath his optics. His optics looked fuzzy, and he looked pale.
"How do you feel, Arcee?" Optimus asked.
"I feel good, better then you look." Arcee said.
"I've been catching catnaps here and there. I've been too busy to even think about recharge." Optimus said, "Before you chew me out, I've already been chewed out by Heatwave and Ratchet. You gave me quite the scare three days ago."
"Three days? Shouldn't Jack be in school?" Arcee asked.
"Jack refused to leave your side. He has not left you once during the last three days." Optimus answered, "Also, it's their spring break."
"It is nice to finally feel better." Arcee watched as Jack yawned and stretched, "Are you waking up, Jack?"
"Arcee!" Jack tossed the blanket off of himself, "I was so worried!"
"I'm fine, Jack." Arcee smiled, "I'll be back to taking you everywhere in no time."
"Optimus, no offense, but you look like hell. You really need to think about getting some sleep. Even you can't run indefinitely without sleep." Jack said.
"None taken. I've gone longer without recharge." Optimus replied.
"It's true, too. Ratchet once threatened to put Optimus into a medically induced coma after he went nearly half a vorn without recharge." Arcee chuckled at the memory.
"In my defense, I was suffering from insomnia." Optimus reminded, a smile playing on his lip components, "You know how much I hate turning to chemicals to induce recharge."
"All right you, Arcee needs to rest. Jack, you can stay. Optimus, will you please go to your quarters for a recharge already?" Ratchet came into his sick bay.
"Did Ratchet actually say please?" Jack asked, "I didn't think please was in his vocabulary."
"Ratchet's getting desperate." Arcee said, "It's when he starts being nice that it's time to get scared."
"Ratchet and nice do not go together." Bulkhead said, walking in, "You don't ever want Ratchet nice. It usually means you are dying. Hey, Arcee. Nice to see you awake."
"Hey! I'm standing right here!" Ratchet retorted, "If I was nice, you lot would never leave my sick bay!"
Ratchet's being nice? Bumblebee chirped, walking into sick bay, Who is dying?
"Not you too!" Ratchet turned toward his office after checking on Arcee, "Nobody is dying, except maybe Optimus, if he doesn't go get some recharge, and I find out about it."
You might want to listen to the Hatchet. Bumblebee turned to Optimus.
"I heard that!" Ratchet called from his office.
"Alright, I'll go get some recharge." Optimus chuckled, leaving sick bay. It would be nice to finally rest. He stopped by the monitor, toying with the idea of contacting the Rescue Bots for an update but decided against it. He continued on to his quarters. Sitting down on his berth, he reached up to rub his temples, his processor pounding against his fingers.