Rian: You guys must hates me .-. I'm all forgotten! Although given my history of accidents and bad luck, it's not unexpected! I will hide under my bed now ._. -watches out for falling glass doors-

Inky: -.-" Yeah. So remember I'm not the only writer here! If you want to review, please refer to both of us, because I'm serious when I say Rian wrote at least half of this, if not more, and did all the editing! So refer to BOTH of us when you review. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to keep Rian away from any glass doors so none fall on her. Again.


The first few days in Diego Garcia were nothing short of hell. Jack felt his chest tighten and seize when he looked at faces that were both familiar and strangers. There were more 'bots here than before and Jack couldn't help but be envious of that. He half believed that he had finally cracked or this was a very lucid and long dream. He'd been forced to stay in the medbay, medics orders. Luckily, Jack had been healing up, and was feeling much better than he had when first arriving.

His leg was still sore and would ache now and then and Ratchet had forced him to wear a brace so he didn't add further complications to it but all-in-all, his condition was much improved. Jack found he was more comfortable around the medic, too. It was funny to see him yell at other 'bots. He seemed most fond of yelling at the twins, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. They came and left with nasty dents in their heads.

Presently, Jack was watching as the medic worked on some machinery. He was always busy with something or other, be it patching up one of the 'bots from the twins pranks to weapons and even minor patch up jobs for the humans.

"Hey, Ratchet?"

"What is it?" The medic called out over his shoulder, gruff as he normally was yet not unfriendly.

"Can I go explore?"

The medic paused in his work, thinking hard. He had been healing well so as long as the boy didn't go far he supposed nothing could go wrong. What was the worst that could happen? He nodded to Jack in affirmation.

"Not too far."

Jack smiled, carefully trying to get down. He leaned on his good leg as he headed out, happy to move again. A short walk to the hanger made him smile. It was busy, people, human and Cybertronian alike, walking about and talking and Jack felt relieved at having human contact again. Sam was giving Bumblebee a much deserved wax job over at the showers, smiling and laughing at his best friends antics.

Jack slowly made his way over, leg limping a bit. He cursed the thing for its inability to move fast than a turtle.

"Hey Sam, what's up?"

Sam looked up, a relaxed smile on his face.

"Just shining 'Bee up."

"Cool. Looking good, Bumblebee."

'Bee gave an excited warble, playing soft music. He liked this new human, though he didn't like what he was wearing or that he had been seemingly tortured for information. Humans, it seemed, were stronger than what they gave them credit for.

"So, Ratchet finally letting you out of the medbay?"

Jack shrugged. "As long as I don't go far." He laughed as Sam whistled wistfully. "Still, nice to be out and about y'know?"

"Lucky! He wouldn't let me out of his sight when I broke my leg..." He grumbled, muttering indecencies beneath his breath.

Jack laughed.

"He is a medic."

"More like a stubborn old man than anything," Jack laughed, then winced as his side protested. Sam jerked forward, caught off guard by Jacks moment of pain. What should he do? Call Ratchet? The Paramedics? Nine-one-one? He blew out a sigh when Jack smiled, albeit painfully.

"Ah, ouch..." He hissed.

"Take it easy alright? Ratchet'll kill me if anything happens to you."

Jack smiled. Well, at least Sam cared, in his own way. It was different from the people he was accustomed to running into that wouldn't give a damn if someone was dying right in front of them. It felt nice.

"I'm fine. So, anything to do around here?"

"Target practice? Just don't let Ironhide convince you to be the target."

"I'm a human, not a bot." Jack laughed out.

"That won't stop him." Sam deadpanned, looking over to to big 'bot in question. As to be expected, he was tending to his precious and well loved weapons.

"I meant I don't do target practice. I've helped with recon for energon, scouting missions, but not battles." Jack didn't notice the befuddled look on Sams face. He never heard of the Autobos scouting for energon. The only energon source in the galaxy was the sun and it wasn't going to be used for a long time yet. Or ever.

"Humans fight alongside the 'bots here. Hell, even I have."

Jack shrugged, sitting on a crate to rest his leg, massaging the tension and soreness out of it, avoiding the spots that ached with pain. He couldn't wait for the damn thing to heal. It was a burden to him and everyone else.

"I think I'd do more harm than good."

"Dunno about that. I'm just a scrawny teenager and I killed Megatron."

Jack straightened in shock, white noise filling his ears as he stared at Sam, who was startled at his reaction.

"Megatron's dead?!"

"W-well yeah but he came back like six months ago!"

"...How...just how long was I prisoner...?" Jack asked himself.

"Uh, you okay Jack?"

Jack nodded slowly.

"Yeah. I'm...I'm fine."

"So uh, you want a tour or something? 'Bee can drive you around."

Jack smiled.

"I can walk."

"You sure? I'd offer a ride but my limit is thirty pounds..."

Jack laughed, nodding. "I'm sure. C'mon, why don't you introduce me to some of your friends around here? I don't remember seeing this many 'bots!" Sam cracked a smile, laughing as well. 'Bee revved in response, happy at the change in mood.

"Sure. But if you're emotionally or mentally traumatized I'm not legally responsible!"

Jack smirked.

"If I can handle giant alien robots, I can handle anything."

"Alright then, let's go!"


Jack ignored his annoying leg as they walked about, looking to wherever Sam pointed and told him the name of each passing Autobot. It crossed Jacks mind that Sam had been with the bot's as long as he had, if not longer seeing as he knew the base like the back of his hand."That's Jolt." Sam pointed out, showing Jack the blue mech. "He has a shocking personality." Jack gave Sam a look.

"No offense, but that joke was awful." Sam grinned.

"Yeah, I know."

Jack yelped when a bot, large and terrifying with a multitude of weapons, narrowly avoided stepping on him. "Hey!" Jack exclaimed, angry and surprised. The bot looked down, confused when he saw a scrawny human. "What's the big idea?! Don't you know to look where you step?!" Jack snapped. "You nearly killed me half a second ago!"

"Hn. You should watch where yer' goin'."

"We'll excuse me for trying not to break my other leg, fragger." Jack replied, in no mood for this.

The mech growled, kneeling down and poking him. "Beta' watch yer mouth, fleshy." Jack stumbled, but glared at the mech defiantly.

"Only if you watch your step!"

Ironhides cannons whirled for a split second. He was obviously annoyed. Jack and the large bot glared at each other, bystanders watching. "Ten bucks on Ironhide." One soldier whispered to the other. A few minutes later and Jack had yet t back down, he finally broke the silence though.

"You treat other humans with enough respect to be careful. I'd think you would be nice enough to give the same courtesy to me." The teen stated lowly.

"Yer' some random human Sam found. Yer gonna be a liability at best."

"I may be a liability to you, but I don't think you could step on me if you tried. You might be a hard aft, but no bot's that cruel."

"Hmph." He said grouchily, blowing air in Jacks face before leaning up and leaving. Jack rolled his eyes and turned. He found a shocked Sam, mouth agape and all. Jack stared back blankly.

"...What?"

"You...wow."

"What?" Jack asked again, confused.

"You stood up to Ironhide."

"...So?"

"No one besides Will has ever done that!" Jack shrugged.

"He might be big and tough, but he's an Autobot. They have good sparks. He needs a challenge now and then, right?"

"I-I guess." Jack smiled.

"I think I'll get back to the medbay. My leg is killing me."

Sam threw Jacks arm over his shoulder, smiling lazily. "I'll help." Jack smiled appreciatively as the walked on, or in his case limped on. At least he had someone to count and depend on while he was here. He wondered if this was what Miko and Raf felt like toward him.

"Thanks Sam."

"Ain't nothing."


The bots watched as Ironhide grumbled to himself angrily, shooting at targets.

"What's up with him?" Asked Sideswipe casually, polishing his blade.

"What isn't? Ironhide's always mad at something or other." His twin replied, glossing his beautiful finish. He ought to have squished the human that ran a key over his gorgeous paint job but 'Sides stopped him before he even ha a chance. Lousy fleshlings...

"He got dissed by a human." Skids supplied.

Sideswipe sheathed his weapon. "There's a bunch of 'em on base. Care to elaborate?" He said in a deadpan tone. Honestly couldn't Skids and mudflap have the decency to create a processor between the two of them? It was bad enough that they were downright useless and even worse that everyone had to look at their ugly mugs and put up with their lame jokes and behavior.

"The one Sam brought. Jack? I think that's his name.." Jolt answered, looking to the other hanger with the humans. The twins snorted in laughter. S

"That runt got under Ironhide's plating?" Said Sideswipe, the quiet giggles becoming full blown laughter. He nudged Sunstreaker in the side, only to be on the receiving end of a glare. The vain gold mech returned to polishing himself.

"He stared him right down."

"That's laugh ain't it 'Sunny?" Sideswipe smirked, nudging his brother, who became irritated and shouted at him.

"Don't call me that!"

Sideswipe laughed, then sighed in resignation, looking at Ironhide. "Anyway, I'd stay clear of the big guy for now. Don't feel like loosing an arm right now."


Ratchet looked up in surprise when he heard a noise. Jack, long asleep, now tossed about, fear on his face. "N...no...-no!...p...p-please..." Came the boys cries and pleas, begging for mercy at an unseen enemy.

"Jack?" He muttered, thinking the boy awake.

The boy didn't stir. A moment later he slung an arm over his eyes as though to protect himself. "No...! S-stop! P...please...!" Ratchet lightly nudged him, hoping ease him awake.

"Jack...Jack you need to wake up." He said softly, prodding his shoulder. The teen didn't, instead cringing and begging.

"P-please! N-no! Arcee! O-Optimus! H-h-help me...!" Ratchet shook him hard, jarring the teen awake sharply to stop his nightmare before it got any worse.

"Jack!"

The teen gasped, sitting up straight. He then groaned, holding his side. "Ow...Ratchet? Is something wrong?" He glanced sleepily at the medic, rubbing at his sandy eyes and yawned widely. Ratchet looked at him in concern and worry.

"You were having a nightmare so I woke you."

"O...oh...well, thanks, then." Jack looked down, avoiding his gaze.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Huh? Oh, no. No, I'm fine." Jack assured, managing a shaky smile. Ratchet gave him a stern look. He wasn't going to fall into that so easily. Jack wished he would just drop it. He wasn't in any mood to talk about his dreams to anyone. Not yet, when he didn't quite trust the people here and worse they would think him a coward.

"I hardly believe you."

"It was just a bad dream, I'll be okay."

"As your medic I care about your physical and mental health."

"And I'm fine on both accounts."

"And I'll make sure you are going to stay that way."

"Then let me sleep...!" Jack whined softly.

Ratchet chuckled, nodding. "Alright." He turned around, going back to work on machinery.

Jack flopped back down, quickly falling asleep once again, leaving Ratchet to himself and under his watchful optics.


Jack yawned tiredly as he sat on Ratchets hand, the medic walking about the hanger in search of Optimus. "You walk slow." He complained, plopping back. He was going to steal his sleep back...!

Only to have Ratchet nudge him up.

"I am ensuring I do not accidentally harm you. And please refrain from sleeping in my hand." Jack groaned, sitting back up and sulking. He was tired and sleepy and wanted more sleep! Was that so much to ask?

"What're we seeing Optimus for anyway?"

"He asked for a report on your condition and to see you as we'll."

Jack sighed. "At six in the morning?" He whined.

"Yes, now hush."

Jack huffed, sulking quietly as Ratchet entered a large door and into an equally large room with a berth that could hold two Optimus's. Said big bot was behind a 'desk' of sorts, looking through data pads. He looked up to see the pair and clearly expected them.

"Ah, Ratchet."

"Optimus." He replied, holding Jack up for show.

Jack nodded at the Prime, slightly wary. This Optimus, he had noticed, looked different than the Optimus he knew. He wasn't a plain red and blue like his. Instead, flames wrapped around his plating and looked larger. They held the same solemn expression and grave tone, which was undoubtedly caused by the war. Jack remained silent as Ratchet set him on the desk before beginning his report. Jack looked about quietly. He didn't understand Cybertronian, but found the language beautiful. The sound soothed him as he listened to Ratchet give his report in the Cybertronian tongue. Optics occasionally strayed to curious teen, Ratchet finishing his oral report after ten minutes or so.

"How do you feel?"

Jack jumped in surprise at being addressed by the Prime. "I feel fine. Better than I have in a long time." He answered honestly, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile at the look Optimus gave him.

"Good. Your injuries are healing then?"

"Yeah, slowly but surely."

"And I trust my medic has treated you well and has not added to your pains?"

"Yeah."

"As if I'd hurt him." Ratchet huffed. Jack turned his attention away again, fiddling with the key under his shirt. "Best I get him back Optimus. I don't like to leave him on that leg." Jack scowled. He wasn't a baby, and didn't want to be treated like one or cared for twenty-four-seven.

"My leg is fine, Ratchet."

"Not until I say it is."

Jack huffed, crossing his arms.

"Ratchet, must you be so overbearing?"

"Yes."

"Man! You're as bad as my Ratchet!" Ratchet raised a brow, confused. Jack caught onto it after a moment, then explained himself."Oh, nothing. He was just as bossy as you are sometimes." Ratchet only gave him a peculiar look.

"Hmmm...you think that there are other forms of us?"

Jack shrugged.

"Sorta."

"Interesting." Jack yelped as he was picked up, then glared at the medic with an mock anger.

"Hey! Warn me!"

"I apologize." Ratchet said in a humored tone, carefully holding him.

Jack huffed.


Jack watched as Sam and a few soldiers joked, washing the bots. He felt a pang of envy in his heart. It must be nice to have so many friends, he thought to himself. The others started a water fight, dousing each other with the hoses. Jack couldn't help but laugh. He yelped when he accidentally got sprayed. He was so surprised that he fell off the crate with an 'ow'.

The others continued spraying water at each other, even getting him a few times as he helped himself up. Jack sputtered. "Hey! No spraying the sidelines!"

"Those're enemy lines!" Epps laughed out.

Jack rolled his eyes, taking cover."Watch out!" Shouted Sam ducking behind 'Bee. Bee chirped in alarm as he was squirted, driving back to avoid the stream of water. He played an angry song to convey his feelings, annoyed as he was splashed by cold water. The soldiers yelped as Bee chased them playfully, and Jack laughed. "Go get 'em 'Bee!" Sam encouraged, laughing as the soldiers screamed in mock terror.

Jack smiled, watching with interest. "You guys are awesome." He laughed as Sam came over. The older teen was enjoying himself and the situation despite teh fact hey were sopping wet.

"You're probably the only one who thinks that." The older human joked. Jack grinned.

"Probably."

"Leg's lookin' better." He commented.

"Yeah, but it till isn't totally better. Ratchet says a week and it'll be good."

Sam scoffed. "Ratchet says that about everything." Jack snorted at that. Ratchet was still the same as always. "Wanna go for a ride and some edible food? The stuff here looks like sludge."

"Ratchet would probably throw a fit."

"What he don't know won't hurt us."

"Well...alright." Jack said after hesitation.

"Alright! 'Bee, c'mon, we gotta go!"

Bee warbled happily, doors popping open.


Ratchet looked around the hanger. "Where is Jack?" He saw humans and 'bots, but no Jack shaped humans and found a stunning lack of black and yellow. His suspicion rose.

"Dunno. Last I saw he was with Sam and Bumblebee." Answered Will, looking over to the wash hanger.

"What? He wasn't supposed to leave the hanger!"

"Well it looks like we were a little too late to stop them." He deadpanned. Some of his soldiers snickered, the look on Ratchets disbelieving face hilarious.

Ratchet scowled. "Sam is going to get the lecture of a lifetime." He huffed and soldiers and Autobots alike backed away when a wrench was suddenly in the medics hands.

No one envied Sam.


Jack happily took a bite out of his burger and fries. He could taste again! He thought he'd lose his sense of taste after eating all that healthy food nonsense Ratchet made him go through. It was worse than hospital food!

"Don't choke." Sam laughed.

Jack stuck out his tongue childishly. "You try living on the 'healthy' food Ratchet makes me eat!" Sam laughed as he too ate. 'Bee revved behind them, pushing lightly against the backs of their legs.

"Houston, we have a problem." Came through his radio. 'Bee was revving his engine, grabbing their attention easily. From the noise he was making he must have been upset about something or other.

"Hm? What is it 'Bee?" Said Sam, glancing back. Jack looked confused.

"What's up?"

"Doctor doctor doctor." 'Bee replied urgently.

Sam and Jack looked at each other. "Scrap." They said simultaneously. Fear filled their very cores at the undeniable fact that they were going to face Ratchets unrestrained wrath.

"How bad are we in it this time you think?" Sam asked Jack, opening the car door.

"'We'? Oh no, this is all on you!"

"Uh-uh! You deserve at least half the blame!"

"You dragged me out here, so it's on you."

"And you took me up on the offer!"

"You said he wouldn't find out!" Jack retorted as the ambulance pulled up.

"I never said that!" He retorted, diving in the back seat with Jack to hide from the medic. Jack yelped, side acing in protest. Ratchet

"Get out here you two!" There was no rely from either teen and Ratchet grew even more irritated. "Now!" He shouted. Jack opened the door and with a swift kick to Sams back, the older was sacrificed to the medics wrath. Better Sam than him!

"Traitor!" Jack didn't reply, instead sliding into the front. Sam rubbed his now sore back. "Dammit, couldn't you have been gentle about it?!" Ratchet formed a holoform and glared at Sam with all his medical fury. Sam gulped, backing up a few feet. His voice was quite, the calm before the storm.

"What were you thinking, taking Jack away from the base?"

"Uh...getting him some food?"

"And taking him against my orders!"

Sam winced.

He was in for it.