It had been years since I had strode in to a sparing ring. I had to admit it was good to be back. My heart beat pounded in my ears as adrenaline pumped in my veins. Air brushing my skin from a side stepped punch thrown by Lennox leaving goose bumps as its only ruminant.
Even the soreness from the well timed shots he thew were welcomed it was all part of the brotherhood that made up the marines something that many others of my rank had forgotten but something that I cherished dearly.
Lennox threw another punch but he was to slow in recoil he was starting to tire. I grabbed his wrist using my body as an axial to flip him on to his stomach "Rematch, best two out of three!" he mumbled.
I shook my head and laughed "Maybe later Lennox. By this time I was out of my uniform and in a pair of cut off blue-jean cargo caprices and a green tank top. It was nice to be back with my friends. The only thing missing was Derrick.
Seeing my expression shift Lennox put a hand on my shoulder "You still miss him It's been almost two and a half years."
"And it still feels like someone carved out a part of my soul with a red hot blade, Somedays are more bearable than others, sometimes it even feels numb, but that longing that ache of emptiness, it doesn't fade, it won't fade." A shiver runs up my spine and my voice cracks harshly. I'd feel better if we had never broached the topic to begin with.
"Sorry for stirring up old ghosts Raph." muttered Will not meeting my eyes.
"Some ghosts need to be revived at times," I forced a smile on my face. "none of my memories of Derrick are bad and I wouldn't trade anything for those twelve years I had with him even though I cry like crazy and it hurts I'm learning how to live on. to be honest with out the kids I'm not sure If I would have been able to get back on my own two feet or If I would have had a reason for even trying."
Will's eyes widen in disbelief as they shoot up to meet my own "Raph?"
"Don't give me that look, I might take on crackpot missions but I'm not suicidal I know my skill level and don't take on missions above it alone." I would never do any thing, that I could help, to leave my children orphans.
"If I thought you were I would sick Sara on you, and you know how she is."
"If you've forgotten Will I'm the one that introduced you two we grew up nearly as sisters" My eyes lit up in mirth remembering several choice situations Sara and I had gotten in to as children.
"Speaking of sisters how, is Val doing?" I realized Will was purposefully changing subjects but I decided not to point it out, he was just trying be considerate.
"Breathing deep and flying high, Still in the air force and can't get enough of the sky. Honestly I think she would go crazy without it. She took a pretty bad hit from some shrapnel a few months back but she's been cleared for continued service"
"Glad to hear she's ok, I…,"suddenly a shout rang across the base.
"Will, we have rounds to make, if were going to finish by sundown you need to get your aft in gear!"
I couldn't help but grin at that, "You better get going."
"but Raph, I.."
"No arguing Lennox, get your tail in high gear or I'll kick it in that direction, go."
"fine, I'm a git'n, I'm a git'n"
It took every ounce of self control I had to not drop to the ground laughing at Will's high stepping gate. I had needed this more than I ever realized;I had kept myself to isolated in my grief for to long.
(Lennox's P.O.V.)
Ironhide met me half way to the gate, though he looked somewhat disgruntled, it wasn't unusual for the grumpy mech when I was running late. He quickly shifted to his truck from opening his door, "What took you this time?" He blared from the radio causing my teeth to grind at the high volume.
"Sorry Hide, I was catching up with Raph," I explained as i climbed in, the door shuting in my wake.
"From the looks of things she won,"he replied with a snort.
"Yeah, yeah, you old bucket of bolts"
We rode in silence for several moments, that depressed look on Raph's face replaying in my mind. I knew she had taken Derrick's death hard; she had shut off almost all connections to the outside world keeping a majority to herself we would occasionally get a card for major holidays but that was the only assurance that she hadn't fallen off the edge of the world.
I had no idea what she was going through but maybe someone who did could help. "Hey Hide, how many of the Autobots lost mates to the Decepticons?"
Author note:
And thus the plot thickens R&R.
Sorry for the long wait I've been working on my original novels at this point I have so many ideas going at once I don't know what to do.
As always tell me what you think and add any ideas that you have every little bit helps.
Also Val will show up later in a companion story Blaze Burning Brighter
