The ringing in his audios, and the stars dancing before his optics were the result of his frustration. His servos were tightly holding the back of his helm. He wasn't suprised when Lennox had run, more than likely going to get an Autobot, and Sam had stayed behind. It was a painful sensation, one that he never wanted to repeat again. He'd curled up more, and had leaned forward. "And that's why you don't do that Prime," Ironhide scolded. Optimus just glared at him before leaning back gently again. He chose to keep his optics tightly closed.

"How much I hate you right now Ironhide. It's your fault," Optimus mumbled. Sam just looked on in confusion, while Ironhide knew it was the pain talking.

"You agreed ta this."

"I didn't know what was in store!" Optimus hissed back. He looked at Ironhide with narrowed optics. "I feel like my helm's being ripped in half. Why couldn't you go torture someone else?" Ironhide laughed.

"What'd be the fun in that? I only came back for you," he replied.

"I'm SO lucky. Thank you so very much for all this," Optimus growled. "My helm..."

"If you cracked your helm, Prime, I swear I'll rebuild you as a lawn mower. Then, I'll rent ya out ta each NEST team member so they can cut their grass," Ratchet threatened even before he came into view. Optimus slowly opened his optics to look at the medic.

"Right now, you turning me into a lawn mower is the least of my concerns," Optimus replied. He yelped as he was pulled to his pedes. He looked to where Bumblebee was standing, trying to help his leader remain standing. Optimus felt dizzy and nearly tripped, grabbing onto Ratchet for support.

"Easy. After hitting your helm so hard, it's normal to feel dizzy," Ratchet said. Optimus nodded as he let go of Ratchet. He visibly jumped, though to every one else it was for no reason. Optimus mumbled something before pulling his arm from Bumblebee's wrist. He tried to walk forwards, but when he did lose his balance, Ratchet rushed forward and grabbed Optimus by the shoulder. He wrapped Optimus' arm over his shoulder and held Optimus up by the waist. Bumblebee did the same.

"I'm fine," Optimus objected to the help. Ratchet shook his helm, and Lennox and Sam followed as they made their way to Med bay. Optimus tripped several times, but managed to stay upright with help. He struggled to keep his optics open as soon as they laid him down. That wasn't exactly normal for him, but Ratchet's scan revealed why.

"Has he been recharging?" Bumblebee asked. Ratchet shook his helm.

"By the look of it, nope. I expected that though. Optimus' been upset since arriving back here," Ratchet replied. Ironhide rolled his optics.

"I can't believe Ratchet didn't say somethin' 'fore this then. Should've know he'd not recharge. And Ratch wouldn't say a thing till Prime's about ta fall over," Ironhide glared at Ratchet. Ironhide did smile when Optimus let himself slip into much needed recharge. He went back to watching the others in the room.

"What about what Optimus said just before he hit his head off the plane?" Sam asked.

"Could be true. Could be 'cause of grief. I'm not sure, but I don't fully doubt his sanity. We'll just have to believe him for now," Ratchet answered. He scanned over the shoulder Optimus was having trouble with, then downloaded the scan to a data-pad. He sat down at the counter so he could keep an optic on Optimus while working to find what was wrong with Optimus' shoulder. Ironhide made his way over to where Ratchet was working. He looked over the scans himself, and found what Ratchet was looking for.

"Too bad I can't tell him myself... I'll have to wait for Optimus to wake up," Ironhide mumbled. "I'm here you bolt brain!" Ironhide yelled at Ratchet since he knew the medic couldn't hear him. He walked away from the desk, and left the Med bay. He heard the sounds of the party that Optimus had been avoiding. He made his way into the room.

The first sight that greeted him was the remaining Autobots talking and laughing. The humans were dancing to loud music, with dimmed lights. Ironhide tuned it out as he stepped inside. With each step, he walked through many of the NEST members. He found himself beside Sideswipe. He listened as Sideswipe spoke and laughed with someone. Ironhide wasn't paying attention any more. Images flashed before him. An arguement he'd had with Optimus. The day Optimus died. Sentinel's face as the shots that killed him were fired. The last words he'd spoken to Optimus echoed through his audios, barely clear enough to hear. Optimus' anger towards the humans when they didn't tell him everything. Ironhide shook the memories away. He walked outside the base, and found Jazz leaning against a plane.

"Jazz?"

"That's me," Jazz replied. He straightened and walked over to Ironhide.

"What're ya doin' here?"

"Ta make sure you know what your here for."

"Besides Prime?"

"It wasn't your time ta go Hide. We both died serving Prime, but it was my time ta go. You gotta go back, and Prime's the key," Jazz replied. The area around them went white, so neither could see their surrondings. Ironhide looked around. "It's gonna be hard. But you can help Prime get through it. There's gonna be pain. Just don't give up."

"You aren't coming?"

"Nah. I'm stayin' here. Till the next time I see ya," Jazz took Ironhide into a brief hug before Jazz and the white turned into planes and tarmac.

Ironhide was soon back in Med bay. He sat beside Optimus, not waiting to wake him. Optimus stirred on his own. His optics opened and looked to Ironhide. "Still waiting around?" Optimus asked softly. Ratchet heard Optimus speak, and turned. Ironhide grinned.

"Yep. I'm not goin' anywhere," Ironhide replied. Optimus smiled as he sat up. He checked the time, and sighed. The day had changed, and it was around 2 o'clock.

"That late?" Optimus asked Ironhide, ignoring the fact Ratchet was there and giving him old looks.

"Yeah. Ya needed the rest," Ironhide answered. "Ask Ratch if he found the problem in your shoulder. If he didn't, I can show ya."

"Did you find what was wrong with my shoulder?"

"No. I didn't. I'm still working on it," Ratchet responded. He picked up the data-pad.

"Ironhide knows what's wrong. Can I have the pad please?" Optimus asked. Ratchet narrowed his optics slightly, but handed the data-pad over. "Thank you." Optimus showed Ironhide who gave Optimus a brief explination. "Here's the problem." He repeated what Ironhide had said. Ratchet's optics widened, and he left the room for supplies. "Thanks Hide."

"You owe me," Ironhide joked.