Chapter 3: Opposition

Sideswipe stormed into the medical bay, glanced around for the location of his brother, then stomped over to him, a scowl engraved on his facial plates. He pulled Sunstreaker's chair back, lifting it off its front legs and letting it slam down again, promptly waking the yellow warrior.

"What the-"

"Have you been here the entire time? The whole time?" Sideswipe flailed his arms in anger. "I work my aft off with repairs for hours – with Huffer, of all 'Bots – and you're down here in the med bay recharging?"

"Hey, slag off!" Sunstreaker stood, his leg still sore, but from the looks of it Ratchet had repaired it while Sunstreaker had been recharging. He clenched his hands into fists and shifted his attention back to Sideswipe. "I didn't know where you were or what you were doing."

"Yeah, and you didn't bother to try and find out either, did you?"

"Take it outside you two!" Ratchet came out from his office. "I have recovering patients in here, and I won't have you disturbing them with your bantering."

"Too late for that," Firestar spoke up, static still occupying in her voice.

Sunstreaker turned toward her instantly. His expression softened, his optics widening ever so slightly.

"You're up," he said, for loss of anything else to say.

"…Yeah, what of it?" Despite her typical mood returning, she sounded tired. It was obviously an effort for her just to speak.

A slight pause.

"I'm glad. You were in pretty poor shape several hours ago," Sunstreaker replied, pulling his chair close to the medical table and sitting down. Firestar rolled her optics and rested her head back on the table, staring up at the ceiling. Sunstreaker realized she must be feeling really weak to not even attempt at a comeback of some sort.

What's this about? Sideswipe asked his brother over a secure communications frequency.

What's what about?

You're glad that Firestar – the Arc's resident glitch – is feeling better?

Shut up fragface, it's none of your business.

Oh my, a bit touchy on this topic, are we?

Sunstreaker ignored his brother, and instead turned his attention to Ratchet. "So, she's going to fully recover then?"

"Of course I am," Firestar answered for Ratchet. She stopped herself before she almost snapped "no thanks to you."

Sunstreaker smiled at her. "Well, that's a relief. You had me worrying for quite a while."

The hiss of her ventilation system conveyed her annoyance.

"Now will you two leave? I'm sure there's plenty of work for you to do outside of the med bay." Ratchet pulled Sunstreaker's chair away, forcing him to stand. "Out. Now."

With one more glance back at Firestar, he walked out of the medical bay with Sideswipe.

After a few intense days of repairing the Arc's systems, Sunstreaker was worn out. Not only was his body worn out, but his processor was as well. Sideswipe had not stopped teasing him about his now obvious crush on Firestar, which irked his circuits. The only reason he didn't make his brother shut up about it was that the last thing he wanted was to start a fight and be thrown in the brig. If that happened, he couldn't visit Firestar.

When repairs were finally finished, he stopped by the refueling area and got two reserves of energon out of the storage unit. Then he made his way to the medical bay.

Ratchet was off duty for the night, and the medical bay was only dimly lit. He went over to Firestar, who lay on her side facing him, her optics shuttered. He quietly approached her and set one of the energon reserves on a table nearby. He was careful to be quiet, but she must not have been recharging, as she unshuttered her optics at the soft sound.

"You…" her voice was soft, and for once sounded more surprised than angry, "What are you doing here?"

"I thought maybe you would want some extra energon," He said softly.

"Hm," was all she said, looking at his offering. She then attempted to lift herself up to a sitting position. Sunstreaker quickly moved to help her, and was both surprised and glad when she didn't protest his assistance. His hands supported her back and guided her up. Her back now resting against the wall behind the medical table, he handed her the cube of energon. She took it without a word and sipped the liquid cautiously.

Sunstreaker pulled up a chair, turned it around so it was backwards, and sat down resting his arms on the backing of the chair. He anxiously sipped at his own cube of energon.

After a moment of silence, Firestar spoke up. "I hate people seeing me this way, so weakened. I don't usually get this damaged in battle."

"It happens to everyone sooner or later. You seem to be recovering well for have only been resting for a few days."

"I don't like lying around any more than I have to. It's a waste of my time."

She was glad they were alone. The medical bay was empty except for them; she had acquired the worst injury of the battle, and Ratchet was able to repair his other patients rather quickly. Being alone with Sunstreaker gave her the opportunity to thank him for saving her in private, despite the fact that she did not like having to thank others at all. Firestar liked to think she was independent; a self-sufficient femme who fought for the Autobots but could take care of herself without their help. Unfortunately, deep down she knew everyone needed help at times, and she wanted to express her thanks for what Sunstreaker did for her.

But just how to say it?

Sunstreaker swished the energon around in his cube. His optics were cast down at the floor; he looked like he was contemplating.

Well, there's no time like the present, Firestar thought.

"Thank you."

Sunstreaker looked up at her. Firestar was starring at the far wall across the room.

"I would not be alive today if it weren't for you. So, thanks."

Sunstreaker smiled sincerely. "Anytime."

There was so much more he wanted to say to her than that. And he finally had his chance. They were here together, alone, and for once Firestar wasn't angry at him. But he was having trouble finding the right words…

"You…you've changed me."

Firestar turned her optics toward him, suspicious of what he was going to say next. Sunstreaker was so uncannily nervous that he almost dropped his cube.

"I've never cared this much before, about anyone. Not in this way. I…" he looked away from her, choosing his next words.

Firestar realized what he was trying to say and tensed up. "It's okay, you don't have to say anything more," she didn't feel like hearing it right now, sitting like a helpless sparkling on a medical table. She didn't want to be in a relationship now – she still had emotional bruising from her past relationships that needed healing. Her fiery exterior was beginning to warm up again, awakened from the suddenly awkward situation.

Sunstreaker looked questioningly into her optics. She looked away.

"Maybe you should go now. I need to rest some more. Thanks for the energon," she slowly slid back down onto the table and lied down facing away from him.

She could almost hear Sunstreaker scowl as he exited the room.