Hiii. Whelp, this took a lot longer than I wanted it to...

Better late than never I guess.

First off, thanks to everyone who favorited, followed, etc.

Second, I apologize for the wait.

Third, I wanna say I'm so so so so so so SO sorry! to A TFP fan girl for forgetting to respond last chapter! I remembered when it was too late. I feel so bad! Here's a response though (what little it's worth...): Thank you! Heehee thanks! Saaaame. Aw, thank you! It would be awesome if you did have an account. I could help you if you ever wanted to make one, it's really easy. (Just sayin'.) Primus, those make my day...

Response to your other (most resent) review (sorry for the delay!) Whateva ya say. Aww, thank you! Lol.

Sirenix Prime: Here ya go! Thank you! Thanks for leaving a comment!

THANK YOU EVERYBODY AGAIN!

Chapter 7

I swipe my keycard in the slot, then push the door open quietly when I receive the affirmative, peeking around before stepping in and closing the door shut silently behind me.

Creeping into the living room finds Skywarp passed out across the end of the right side of the couch, mouth open as he snores loudly.

A snort threatens to escape, while Sideswipe does so uncontrollably, clamping a servo over his lipplates to silence any more.

I pad passed him to glance into my room.

Inside is everyone laying on my bed like they did the first night. The sight makes me smile as I head back to the living room.

"You two recharge. I'm gonna go take a shower." I whisper, settling them on the opposite end of the couch from Skywarp but Sideswipe shakes his helm.

"Uh uh. We're coming with you."

"You want to be in there while I shower?" I raise an eyebrow.

"No. Just keep ya company before shutting down." The way he says it makes me cave.

Sigh. "Fine. But turn around when I step in and when the water turns off."

"Okie." He nods, beaming.

Rolling my eyes, I scoop him up, then turn my attention to Sunstreaker. "You really wanting to go or is Sideswipe speaking for you both?"

He casts Skywarp a glance and seems to ponder hard before deciding. "Speaking for us both. But I'll go so I don't have to hear this fragger."

I glare at him for the choice of words but let it drop as I pick him up, bring them to the bathroom, then sneak into my room to grab some clothes.

I manage to not online anyone- thank Primus- and head over to the bathroom, shutting the door and locking it in an unbroken habit.

Turning the water on, I start up the shower, before grabbing my towel from the rack, stripping and stepping under the therapeutic spray. I sigh in content.

"Will we be allowed to use these washracks?" Sideswipe speaks up as I'm drowning my hair in preparation of the shampoo and conditioner.

"I honestly hadn't thought about it." I admit. "But Pit yeah. I'm definitely not gonna deprive ya'll. Just might have to remind me of your alls needs since I obviously can't remember in times of need."

I hear a snort of amusement that I assume is from Sunstreaker.

"What? My memory sucks."

"Noticed."

"Thaaaanks. I plan on gathering a list of what everyone needs for when I go to the store tomorrow. Might take a few of you guys with me."

"Can we go?" Sideswipe exclaims eagerly.

"Think you can manage not to wander off and wreak havoc?"

"Hey!" I hear the pout in his tone. "We aren't that bad."

"Says the bot that drags his twin out to stalk the human they just met to find out what she's doing instead of just asking."

"You never woulda told us if we asked. Plus, it was more fun this way!"

"Whatever." I roll my eyes and grab the bottle of shampoo to lather a big glob in my hair.

"Getting along with former 'cons? Or are you trying to ignore them?"

"Ignore 'em."

"Hey, they aren't that bad. I know that your alls history isn't too great but could at least give them a chance."

I'm not answered.

"So, what do ya'll think I should get tomorrow? Furniture and maybe something to help ya guys climb up and down from high places?"

"Yeah! And maybe an ener- er, 'Gatorade' dispenser."

"Oh yeah." I nod, knowing they can see from my shadow in the curtains. "Where do you think everyone will set up at?"

"Pit if I know."

"What 'bout you two?" I add conditioner and start scrubbing.

"Maybe in your bed...?" He replies cheekily.

"If I do that then I have to for everyone else." I roll my eyes.

"Just get them their own super squishy berths!"

Sigh. "I'll try to think of something for the berths. And just maybe you can sleep on my bed."

"Yay!"

"Might have to share with 'Warp though."

"No!"

"Which means Starscream and Thundercracker."

"No!"

"My berth, my rules."

"Fine." I can tell he's pouting again.

With a shake of my head, I cut the flow of water off and press the thing down, giving the twins a minute to turn around, before stepping out.

"How's your rib thingy?"

I honestly forgot.

I throw on underwear, a pair of long black and white basketball shorts and an oversized- like always- t-shirt before giving the twins the go ahead to turn around, depositing my dirty clothes in the hamper.

"Dunno." I shrug. "Guess we'll all see." I lift my shirt up. The twins grimacing at the sight that greets us.

The bottom part of the left side of my ribcage is an ugly purple and black. You can see each line of the bones even more pronounced than usual.

"Primus above, femme!" Sideswipe gapes in horror. "You need a medic!"

"No! I'm fine I've dealt with way worse than this before." I try to reassure.

It doesn't work.

"WHAT? You've had worse?!"

"Uh, street fighter. Dur."

He glares at me in challenge and a glance over at Sunstreaker shows him looking at the wound in disgust.

"Am I grossing you out, Sunstreaker?"

He turns his attention to me. "Just that." He grunts, pointing at the blob of hideousness.

"Mhm." I allow my shirt to drop and scoop the twins up, stepping out of the bathroom wordlessly.

"Where in Primus' name have you three been?!"

"Aw, slag."

[Page Break]

I'd read about this particular 'look' in numerous FanFiction's. I never believed the true power it held or that it was actually this intimidating.

I'll never doubt the fact again.

Even a miniature Ratchet that only stands a few inches taller than my ankle.

"Uh..." Is Sideswipe's oh-so-bright response.

The medics glare only intensifies as a scowl tilts down his lipplates.

"What'd you two slaggers do?!"

"Can we take this to the kitchen so we don't wake everybody up? 'Warp's probably snoring loud enough that we won't disturb him." I interrupt Sideswipe's too-quick retort.

A softer form of 'the glare' is turned towards me and he nods in acceptance, stepping onto my palm after placing the twins on my shoulders.

I bring us passed a louder-than-earlier snoring Skywarp still draped on the couch and into the kitchen where I set the twins and medic of doom on the counter.

"We didn't do anything!" Sideswipe exclaims out of thin air. I mentally facepalm as Sunstreaker slaps his idiotic brother over the back of the helm. Ratchet doesn't look convinced in the slightest.

"They really didn't." I vouch for them. Sensing their surprised expressions. "They only followed me to work."

Ratchet seems taken aback himself, then his optics narrow. "And just where is this 'work'?"

"In an old alley." I answer offhandedly. If the twins want me to tell everybody, then might as well start with the best medic ever created.

Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are stunned that I told the truth, while Ratchet mostly looks confused.

"What?"

"I'm a street fighter." I shrug nonchalantly.

He takes a moment to process what I said, then a storm cloud seems to shadow his faceplates that makes the twins wisely step back.

"YOU'RE WHAT?!"

The lack of snoring drags me over to Skywarp to find him mumbling something as he rolls onto his stomach. Bending onto my knees with a crack, I rub between his wings soothingly until his snoring returns. Only then do I return to answer Ratchet.

"Tune it down a little, Ratchet. Please?" He only glares harder.

Sigh. "I'm a street fighter. My friend- Logan-" I direct towards the twins, who nod, "lets me know when and where the fight is and meets up with me to make sure I don't get clobbered. I'm undefeated as of yet though, so it doesn't usually happen."

"Until today." Sideswipe grumbles. I shoot him a glare.

"What? You got injured?!"

"...Maybe.."

Snarl. "Let me see!"

With a suffering sigh, I comply: lifting up my shirt to show off the forming bruise.

His optics darken as he surveys the damage with a trained optic.

"You didn't treat it."

"I honestly forgot." I shrug.

He shoots me a look, but I ignore him.

"Your World Wide Web says that you should put ice over the wound, get plenty of rest and take regular pain medication unless your doctor prescribes something stronger." His optics have that far away gleam that confirms he is indeed looking all of this up.

"I have some ice cubes if it makes you feel better. But I can't rest or take pain medication."

"Very and why the Pit not?" I really needed to quit torquing the medic off. It's not like I'm trying to though.

"Work and I don't take any kind of medication. Besides, I honestly don't feel a thing."

"It seems to be that you go to 'work' later in the evening around 1000, so that is no problem with proper rest. And how could you not? You broke a 'rib'! You could have internal bleeding!" He stares at me in disbelief.

"That's true. But I have to leave by at least eight AM to go to my other job at Pizza Hut, then leave there at noon to go to my other other other job as a mechanic at Dustin's garage. I'm used to pain. I deal with it everyday and have developed a high tolerance for it. And I know the symptoms of internal bleeding. Which I do not have."

The three of them- especially the twins since I didn't tell them earlier- seem stunned at my words.

"Did you two slaggers know about this?" Ratchet turns his fury back to the twins.

"Hey." Sideswipe holds his servo's up in surrender. "We only knew about the fighting. Not that she works at three different places."

Ratchet grunts as his icy blue optics return to me. "I forbid you from going to 'work'. All three of them."

I raise a challenging eyebrow. "No."

He sputters in uncontrollable rage.

"1) I. Am. Fine. 2) I can't just call in at the last moment." It's not wise anyways. Especially at... five in the morning. "3) I have ta go so I have the credits to take care of ya'll."

Ratchet lightens up a bit but is still mighty unhappy. "No. You. Aren't. Fine. But as long as you do not fight." He sighs in exasperation.

I calculate the loss of a day or two. I made a great deal last night. More than I ever had that would last me several months usually but significantly less now. It'd still be more than enough for me to take time off for three to four months. Not like I would though.

"Alright." I cave with a reluctant nod. "I won't drop by the alley. But I am still going to Pizza Hut and Dustin's."

"Fine." Ratchet nods back. "But I expect you to rest and take it easy until then and while you are there."

"I'll try."

"Katlyn...?"

"Hmm?"

Sideswipe points wordlessly behind me, having apparently been doing so for awhile.

My eyebrows furrow and I turn in the direction his digit is. I find all the former Autobots and Decepticons on the floor behind the couch staring up at our exchange.

My shoulders slump. "Ah, slag."

Author's Note: I got the whole 'treatment' thing that Ratchet said from the Internet so sofry if it's wrong.

Hope ya'll enjoyed!