June had nearly lost it by the time they'd reached the hospital. They were greeted by special uniforms and directed to a private part of the hospital where they quickly unloaded Jack onto a gurney, wheeling him inside. Fowler slowly climbed out of Ratchets cab, refusing to look at his hands for they were covered in the boys blood. He helped June out and they both ran after the gurney, following the boy and the medics into the room. Ratchet wished with all his might that he could transform and simply follow but he knew that was not possible. Checking his scan of Jack before, Ratchet tried to deduce what the medics could do to save their friend. Collapsed lung, broken ribs, shattered tibia and massive head trauma. If they were to save Jack, it would be a miracle. Ratchet called Fowler.

"I'm returning to base to check on Miko. I leave Jack in your hands."

"Roger. One moment."

Ratchet paused as he heard Fowlder scuffling a bit then what sounded like entering a quiet, enclosed space.

"Ratchet." His voice was lowered. "I just spoke the head paramedic. Things are not good. Jack may not make it through the night."

Ratchet took all his will to avoid crying out in frustration.

"I - I understand. I will be in touch."

Ratchet hung up and restarted his engine, speeding back towards base. He trusted Wheeljack to care for Miko but after seeing Jack's condition, he felt it was his responsibility to make sure she was ok.

Ratchet arrived back at base and saw that Bulkhead, Optimus and Arcee were back. Bulkhead was hovering by Miko, who now had her arm in a sling. Arcee was pacing back and forwards and Optimus was still. Almost too still for the giant leader. As Ratchet arrived at base he heard beeps behind him and realised it was Bumblebee. He quickly commend the young scout.

"Bumblebee, theres been a situation. Jack and Miko have been injured, Rafael was not present at the time so he is fine. Please stay calm and provide support for Arcee, I believe she may need it right now. I need to talk to Optimus."

The pair rolled into base and transformed, earning a small gasp from Raf. Ratchet followed the boys gaze and realized that Jacks blood was on his frame.

"I - I " For a moment Ratchet felt sick. Not sick from his state, but sick from the situation that had thrown them all into this hellish turmoil.

"Excuse me." He said, voice croakingg slightly. Ratchet quickly retreated down the hall to the cleaning bay, trying to ignore the burning stare of dismay that some of his comrades had just given him. Footsteps approached from behind him and Ratchet didn't need to look to know it was Optimus.

"How is Jackson." The prime said.

Ratchet shook his head. "Optimus, I believe we may need to prepare for the worst."

Optimus stopped walking and Ratchet stopped too after a few steps, turning.

"Optimus?" He said, cautiously.

The look in the primes eye was a look he had only seen once before. The time during when Rafael almost perished at the hands of dark energon. Optimus fists were bunched.

"It is not right."

Optimus continued forward and Ratchet entered the scrub bay, allowing the mix of chemicals to wash away the blood on his servos. He hastily scrubbed at his digits, for the red that stained them felt like daggers. Ratchet scrubbed and scrubbed until with frustration he threw the tool at the wall of the bay. He let out an exasperated yell and leant against the wall.

"By the all spark please let him live." Ratchet murmured, staring down at his servos.

Back in the main hangar, Miko had some colour returning to her cheeks after being treated by Raf and Wheeljack. Bulkhead had not left her side and looked wracked with guilt.

"Bulk you couldn't have done anything." She tried to reassure him. "The deceptic-"

"The decepticons are slag." Wheeljack said, cutting her off. "No-one messes with a wrecker and gets away with it."

Miko looked up at the two bots and smiled a little. She felt another blanket around her shoulders and saw Raf sitting beside her. His brave face was the equivalent of a puppy trying not to cry and Miko sighed at the sight, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"Will he be ok?" He asked quietly, looking down.

Miko leant against the younger human slightly. She wanted to lie and say that Jack would be ok and good as new. That this was just another close call. But seeing him crumple like a discarded piece of paper, becoming so cold so quickly. She wasn't prepared for the worst, but it had its foreshadowing.

The evening passed slowly. Miko felt the time more than her actual wounds. By the time they had heard any news she and Raf had been asleep for 2 hours. She felt a hand lightly shaking her shoulder and she stirred awake, the realisation of the events that previous evening rushing into her like adrenaline.

"Jack!" She exclaimed, sitting up and disturbing Rafael from his slumber also. Fowler met her expression with one that looked stony cold and drained.

"I, need you two to come with me." Fowler said.

The two humans nodded, glancing at each other wearily and hopping off the berth. They followed Fowler to a unusual car, one not of cybertronian origin.

"Where are we going?" Rafael timidly said.

Fowler sighed. "When the government found out about you two and Jack they ordered me to lay a contingency plan in case something happened. I've been ordered to take you two to a safe house."

Miko frowned. "What about the bots?"

"We will see them soon. Right now I need to focus on you two."

Rafael climbed into the car, albeit slowly but Miko hesitated.

"Fowler," She said, voice clear and heavy. "Under what specific circumstances are we looking at."

Fowler cleared his throat and ran his hand through his hair. The man almost looked as if he'd been crying. And thats when it hit Miko.

"The circumstance of human fatality."

Sorry for the slight hiatus, but thanks for reading. Your support is unquestionably appreciated and valued.