Raising Holi
By Fatala
You wanted it, you've got it! Chapter 3 is finished! Read, enjoy, but don't forget to review!
Chapter 3: Coming Home.
Soon after his shocking revelation at the hospital Optimus Prime returned to the Ark. He had a lot to think about. After hours of internal debate he called together his most trusted advisers and closest friends to help him with this potentially life altering decision. Once he finished telling what had happened the seemingly unshakable Optimus Prime nervously waited for his friends' advise.
"I know how you feel, but this is a military base not an orphanage. We cannot have a child running around the base.", objected Ratchet folding his arms across his chest.
"I don't see what the problem is. We let Spike and Sparkplug stay here. It wouldn't be much different.", shrugged Jazz who seemed the most relaxed out of the five.
"Spike and Sparkplug are grown men Jazz. They are not small children. If she stayed here she would be a hazard not only to use but to herself. The Decepticons would stop at nothing to use her to their advantage.", countered Prowl not letting a hint of emotion enter his cool voice.
"Each of us could take rotational shifts watching her-" started Ironhide before he was interrupted.
"It's still far to risky. If she was ever captured the Decepticons could use her as ransom or just kill her. I still say no.", stated Prowl turning a calm glance towards Ironhide who growled a resigning huff. So far it seemed as if nothing could be said that could pierce Prowl's solid defense.
"Ratchet? What would happen if we leave her at the hospital?", asked Jazz looking at the resident CMO.
"She would be put in an orphanage until she is adopted by a human family. Why do you ask?", answered Ratchet sending a quizzical glance towards Jazz.
"After everything she has been through wouldn't it extensively damaging to her mental health if she learned that both her parents are dead?", asked Jazz with all the slyness of a fox. At hearing that the entire room fell silent. Like most they knew what usually happened to humans and Transformers when the felt extremely hopeless with nothing else to live for. Complete emotional collapse. "As far as she knows Optimus is her father right? Why not let her continue to believe that?", he asked but it seemed more of a statement then a question.
"Deceiving a child at her age is not the logical or appropriate thing to do.", Prowl threw back standing up from his seat.
"And leaving her an empty life with nothing to live for is better!", yelled Jazz standing up and slamming his hands on the table in a rare outburst of emotion. Ratchet and Ironhide jumped back at the anger in their friends voice, even Prowl flinched in surprise. At seeing his friends' reaction Jazz quickly regained his composure before continuing more solemnly. "Listen Prowl man, she has nothing left. No friends, no family, no one to go to. We're all that kid's got left whether we like it or not. She's trusting us to help her live a good life. And I have no intention of letting her down." Again another long silence fell over the conference room. Then it was decided.
"We could convert one of the extra rooms so it will be more suited for her to live in.", spoke up Ratchet.
"How long will that take?", asked Optimus for the first time since the conference had started.
"Give Wheeljack, Huffer, and I at least 24 hours."
"Granted. Ironhide go through the duty list and start finding volunteers for 'babysitting' duty."
"Will be done.", Ironhide replied with a wide grin.
"Although I might be against it, I will do my part to make sure nothing happens to her as long as she is under our care.", Prowl said resigningly. And thus it was official.
"Thank you Prowl.", thanked Prime his voice filled with honest gratitude.
"It's my duty."
"I'll go get Sparkplug to help, since he's done this parenting thing once before.", suggested Jazz with a grin on his face.
"That would be a good idea since he has some experience.", agreed Ironhide standing up.
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"I would advise to have her stay at least one more night; but since you have a medic I'm sure I can make an exception.", said the doctor checking over Holi's paper work one last time.
"Thank you, Ratchet will make sure nothing will happen.", assured Optimus as they waited for a nurse to bring Holi down.
"The only thing I'm concerned about is that she might suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder."
"What's that?"
"It's when the mind releases spontaneous, vivid retrieval of unwanted traumatic memories. These are usually triggered by familiar sights and sound. But they can also manifest themselves in nightmares."
"How often does this happen?", Prime asked getting a little concerned.
"It is common in accident patients but so far Holi has not had any signs of the disorder. She will most likely have subconscious nightmares about the incident but just one or to nightmares over a long period of time is nothing to worry about.", told the doctor reassuring Optimus.
"I understand."
"Good. Then, as long as you have everything prepared for her I guess we're done."
"Thank you doctor.", Optimus thanked extending a finger.
"Take good care of her.", he said shaking the extended finger.
"We will." With that said the nurse came out escorting Holi who was wearing a blue skirt with a white top which had a small blue near the neck, she also wore a white pair of sneakers.
"It took a while but we found something for her to wear.", said the nurse with a smile.
"Can I keep these?", Holi asked looking up at the nurse with a happy smile.
"Sure you can dear.", the nurse answered before she was called to assist a different patient. With the nurse gone Holi turned her attention to her 'father.'
"Are you ready to go?", Optimus asked still unsure on how to react around his new 'daughter.' Holi eagerly shook her head yes. With that he transformed opening the passenger's side door. Without prompting Holi ran to the left side and climbed up inside laughing all the way. "Don't forget to buckle up."
"I won't.", said Holi buckling herself in, although the seat belt loosely fell around her. Noticing this Optimus just chuckled to himself before pulling out of the hospital departure area.
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It was a long quiet ride back to the Ark, but Holi didn't complain. Instead she had found numerous things to keep herself busy with. First she had explored around Optimus' cab, curious about anything and everything she saw. Then she had found the scenery outside fascinating as if flew past, but now she was fast asleep on Optimus' seats. She was curled up like a ball, tightly holding her teddy bear close to her chest. Optimus inwardly smiled as he half watched her through his sensors while keeping the other half on the road ahead. It hadn't even been a week and Holi had already found her way into a part of Optimus' spark that he'd never let anyone in again. What started out as a miracle out of a tragedy was now turning into an adventure waiting to happen. Primus only knew what would happen, but whatever laid on the road ahead would certainly be interesting. That's one thing Optimus could be sure of.
To be continued . . .
Thank you to everyone for your continuing support. Although it might take awhile I will post the next chapter as soon as possible. That will probably after I put up new chapters for several of my other stories.