Hy! ^^ I think everyone has guessed that this story will not be too action-filled (I'm not good at describing action either, as you will see), and this chapter is no different. I'd like to thank everyone who reviewed and supports this story, even those I can't thank personally. I never thought so many people would like this story. You're all awesome! It means a lot to me! :)
On to the story. :) There will be events from "Legacy", but it's still AU.
IX.
He couldn't stand anymore - the moment he stood up, violent spasms gripped his legs and the pain grew unbearable; this was made worse by his inability to keep his balance. His muscolatory cables had weakened greatly, to the point that he could hardly keep himself upright on his own even when he sat - he could still push himself up slowly and painfully, but it often resulted in him falling back on his berth with a cry of agony. On bad days, the malfunction of his equilibrium sensors brought on dizzy spells that plagued him even when he lay down.
But the pain was the worst of all.
"Ratchet," Knock Out sighed, rubbing his helm, "I have already given you two injections today. I can't give you more painkiller. You will not only be dazed, but it will turn toxic to-"
"But it hurts, Knock Out." Ratchet growled, "I know the risks, just give me one more!"
"You're not my superior now, Ratchet."
"But I'm your... elder." the 'bot hissed through gritted dentas and Knock Out leant closer with a smirk on his face.
"And I'm your medic."
Ratchet grimaced, "If only I could inject myself-"
"You would overdose yourself." a feminine voice interrupted him and the two doctors saw June walk up to them. Ratchet now didn't attempt to lean down and pick her up like he usually did, Knock Out did that instead. He had gotten used to the humans by then and sometimes he even found the woman's presence rather comforting. He placed her on the berth next to them in the medbay, June put her hands on her hips as she eyed the sulking medic. It was not that she didn't believe he was in pain; his dim optics, lightly trembling frame and heavy venting were all telltale signs of it and she knew MS patients experienced pain, too. But she also knew it was, again, making him irrational.
"Ratchet," she began, "too much painkiller would shut off your-"
"I know!" the mech shoved his fist into the armrest, "Just because I'm sick I haven't lost my mind! And stop talking to me like I was a youngling! I'm the fragging CMO here!"
Ratchet felt the all-too familiar servo of an imaginary femme rest upon his shoulder and his expression softened somewhat. He wanted to lean into the touch, but he felt another, much lighter and softer one on his fingers and he unintentionally uncurled them under June's hand.
"I guess you're not in the mood for teaching today then." she said.
Ratchet snorted, "Absolutely not." he growled and June sighed.
"We shouldn't draw out the making of the operation plan too much." the nurse told him, "Who knows how fast the disease will progress..."
The medic did not say anything. Knock Out had gone with a cloth to soak it in cold water and now walked back to Ratchet, pressing the cloth to the back of his neck.
"It won't stop the pain." he mumbled, but leant backwards and sighed in relief despite himself.
"But it will dull it." Knock Out replied, "And you're starting to overheat again."
At that moment, harsh laughter tore into the quiet atmosphere of the silo after wild engine revving and the sound of transformation. Ratchet made a grimace and groaned.
"I bet it's that over-energized hot rod again."
"And that oh-so mature son of mine." June added with a raise of an eyebrow, but she couldn't help a small smile. Jack was to show Smokescreen around Jasper and teach him the rules he had to keep while he drove the roads of Earth, but it seemed the two teenagers managed to find something that was more fun. June watched as Jack showed Arcee a picture of a car and by their conversation, it was Vince's; June knew that boy and she found herself chuckling softly.
"What's so funny about it?" Ratchet asked, clearly annoyed at all the fuss and the nurse's change of mood.
"Well..." June started, "first, Arcee is doing the job of scolding them instead of me, so I can relax. Second, that Vince guy deserved it. And anyway, why shouldn't they have their fun? As long as they're still young... as long as they still can."
Knock Out meanwhile had gone to the sink to cool the cloth again, Ratchet didn't even notice his absence - he just continued starring at June with a frown.
"That's no reason for-"
"Ratchet," June sighed, "you have never been good at adjusting to new things or enjoying life since I know you, even when you were healthy. Smokescreen really seems to like you, the first thing he always does every morning or whenever he gets back to the Base is coming to you to see how he can help." that much Optimus told her; it seemed the young 'bot had earned his respect with how patient he acted when Ratchet had that seizure, "And he has brought something that has long been missing from this place and you all needed; laughter."
Ratchet grimaced again, "I have no need for-"
He was again interrupted, by Smokescreen this time, "June is right, Ratchet. You need more fun."
With that, he covered Ratchet's helm with the cold wet cloth he got from Knock Out and threw an arm around the older mech's shoulder. Ratchet's fingers curled into a fist and his lips narroved into a thin line, but a moment later they unintentionally moved upward to the tiniest of smiles. Seeing this, Smokescreen chuckled and took the cloth from his helm and pressed it instead to the medic's forehead.
"How are you?" he asked, his voice gaining a softer, more serious tone.
"Pe-erfect." Ratchet rolled his optics, but looked up to see Smokescreen's smiling face. Maybe June was right; ever since that seizure which caused him to lose his memory for a few minutes, everyone watched him with anxious optics and cast him worried glances, just like back in the war when he lost Nightfall - only Smokescreen retained still his youthful happiness and was the only one who greeted him with gleeful smiles. Even these small teasings felt good - though Ratchet would never admit that - and pulled him out of his depression somewhat.
He hated this human woman for being right again.
"Knock Out told me you were throwing a tantrum again." Smokescreen continued and June had to cover her mouth to hide her amusement.
Ratchet snorted, "They won't give me painkiller."
Smokescreen nodded with a serious expression. "Hmm. He was right."
"Oh, just shut up." Ratchet grumbled and raised a shaking servo to his helm, sighing, "Where is Knock Out anyway?"
Smokescreen shrugged, "Dunno. Said he had some business and will come back later."
He was standing in front of the stasis pod again, hatred bubbling in his spark.
Knock Out vented deeply. He was alone, finally alone, and free to go anywhere he liked in the Base; he was sure it was the right time to do it. He could not calm down as long as he knew Breakdown's killer was there and alive - Knock Out's servo shook with anger as he opened the door and transformed it into his buzzsaw.
"Time to take my revenge." he growled and struck without thinking.
However, he never reached Airachnid; a loud clang, metal striking metal rang through the corridor.
"Stop it, Knock Out." a femme voice spoke next to him, but only when the furious veil fell from his optics did the Decepticon see what had happened. Arcee stood before him, blocking his buzzsaw with her own blade and held it strongly.
"Get out of my way!" Knock Out hissed, "She killed Breakdown! I can't let her live!"
Arcee looked surprised for a moment; they didn't know it was Airachnid who offlined Breakdown, but now it made sense. That was probably the first time in her life that Arcee felt symphaty for a Decepticon.
"I know what you feel." Arcee told him, trying to calm him down, "Airachnid killed my partner, too."
Knock Out frowned, his pressure on the femme's blade lessened, "And you didn't want revenge? Didn't you want to make her pay?!"
"Believe me, I tried." Arcee growled and looked at Airachnid's frozen face, "But she always got away. She's locked now, helpless."
"That's why we have to kill her now, when she can't fight back!"
"There are worse things than death," Arcee said quietly, "you're a medic, Knock Out, you should know it."
The two-wheeler watched as the blind rage slowly vanished from Knock Out's face, his optics dimmed empty of emotions and he lowered his buzzsaw, transforming it back. She touched his arm and pushed him gently back to the main room. The mech didn't protest anymore.
"I saw you walk away," Arcee spoke up, "I'm sorry, but I had to check on you."
Knock Out simply nodded, it seemed he was lost in thoughts. Arcee continued, her voice surprisingly soft, "I'm sorry about Breakdown. We only knew he had been offlined, but we didn't know it was Airachnid."
"He and Dreadwing had been sent out with Airachnid to kill her." the Aston Martin finally murmured, "We've had enough of her, too. But something went wrong... Breakdown was killed instead, and that sadistic glitch got away." after a long moment, he added, "At least you weren't alone after your partner died."
Arcee looked at him curiously. She knew it was a sensitive subject, but she couldn't help ask, "Was he... more than just a partner?"
Knock Out looked at her, but didn't say anything until they reached the main room. Arcee cast a glance towards Ratchet; Smokescreen was still there with him, both him and June trying to distract his attention from the pain. The femme smiled a little and made her way to Bulkhead who was watching Raf make a project on his computer. He was so deep in thoughts that the former wrecker almost jumped when Arcee put her small servo on his massive arm.
"What?" the motorcycle chuckled, "I managed to scare a wrecker?"
"No! I wasn't scared... well... not that much." Bulkhead shrugged in embarrassment, "By the way, do you need something?"
Arcee looked at Knock Out and Bulkhead followed her gaze; the younger medic still stood at the entrance, his arms folded over his chassis, he was watching Ratchet with a frown. It was clear to Bulkhead that he was troubled and he looked at Arcee quiestioningly, "Well...?"
"I just stopped him from killing Airachnid," she answered in a hushed voice, "Turns out she was the one who offlined Breakdown."
Her commrade's optics went wide, but he tried to brush off his shock, "It's... understandable then that he wanted to offline her. What does it have to do with me?"
"You knew Breakdown the best." Arcee replied, "Go, speak to him. As much as I loathe Airachnid, I don't want him killing anyone here at the Base."
Bulkhead looked even more confused, "What could I say, Arcee? I didn't know Breakdown that well-"
"It can't be much harder than listening to Miko."
Bulkhead gave the femme a look, but heaved a deep sigh. He waved his big servo and walked over to Knock Out, giving him almost the same fright he had recieved from Arcee. "Sorry." Bulkhead murmured and forced a smile onto his faceplate, "Wanna come for a walk?"
Knock Out looked over at Arcee who was now standing by the monitors.
"She told you." he stated.
"About Airachnid's role in Breakdown's death." Bulkhead added, "Look, I'm sorry about that. We didn't know it was Airachnid. Breakdown would have... deserved better. He was a warrior, and... yes, he did horrible things, but which one of us didn't? And we had fought so much, I almost knew his every move, and I wanted to offline hi-"
He stopped himself quickly when he realized what he had just said, "Sorry, I'm sorry! I shouldn't have said that-"
Knock Out waved at him and Bulkhead decided to shut his mouth and wait for him to gather his thoughts instead. Knock Out frowned still a little, but his voice sounded calmer than the wrecker expected. "You're right. He was a soldier, he was ready die. Even in a battle with you." the Decepticon medic stopped for a moment before he continued, "He enjoyed those battles where he got to fight with you. He told me many times it was probably you he deemed the best to fight with. He found you worthy. He never forgot that you rescued him from MECH."
Bulkhead smiled a little. He remembered it was hard to convince him to go help the Decepticon, but it turned out to be an action-filled mission - it was then that they learned MECH'S intentions with them.
"Life sure got more boring without him." the wrecker chuckled in embarrassment, he really didn't know what to say.
"Well," Knock Out's smile grew mocking a little, "you sure wouldn't have been able to kidnap me if he had been there."
"Maybe we would have, we were kinda desperate back then. You were our only hope to heal Ratchet... you still are." Bulkhead sighed, "You're a good warrior, too."
Knock Out shook his helm. "No. I'm weaker without him. Even Megatron noticed." he grimaced, "He protected me and knew me in every way. That's why I wanted to kill Airachnid. To avenge him. I know, soldiers die in a war, but it was Breakdown... and he was killed in such an undignified manner..."
It was hard to fight the urge to transform his hand again, Knock Out gritted his dentas. Silence hang between them for a while and Bulkhead decided to break it, "Can I ask something... personal?" he did not recieve an answer, so the wrecker decided to ask, "Were you bonded?"
To his surprise, Knock Out chuckled, "Would I be here if we were?"
Bulkhead shrugged, "I know a mech who had survived the deactivation of his bondmate."
Knock Out's eyes widened a little, but he shook his helm. "No, we weren't. We wanted to wait until we reclaimed Cybertron."
They stood in silence for a little time then slowly started talking again, just about random things they remembered about Breakdown. It was a moment of peace and understanding for the two mechs finally brought by something they could share - until they heard June's voice calling to Knock Out for his help.
The Aston Martin immediately made his way to Ratchet with Bulkhead following close behind. Ratchet was leaning forward on his elbows, Smokescreen held him, the medic's vents made whoosing sounds that Knock Out didn't like.
"Has he purged?" he asked and kneeled down beside him.
"No." June answered him, "Just got dizzy. Must be his equilibrium sensors."
"Again." Knock Out sighed.
"Just help me lie down... or I will purge." Ratchet murmured faintly and Bulkhead already moved over to him.
"Alright, Ratchet, here you go." he said and lifted the medic up from his chair. He and Knock Out helped him lie down on the berth while Smokescreen picked June up from it. The woman ran her hand along the young Autobot's fingers in gratitude, earning a small smile from him, but both of them quickly turned back to Ratchet. The medic was lying on his side, his optics seemed unfocused and he thought it better to offline them to stop the room from spinning.
"Maybe I could have a look at your sensors." Knock Out told him and Ratchet onlined his optics with a deep sigh.
"What could you do?" he asked, his voice weaker than they expected and he winced slightly. The pain still hadn't subsided.
"Is it a... well, normal symptom?" Smokescreen asked uncertainly and June looked up at him from his hands.
"Yes." she nodded, "If it's not the sensors that make him dizzy, then his energon pump does. Unregular pressure."
"Your systems are weakening, Ratchet." Knock Out's voice grew more serious, his anger returning and now directed at the older mech lying before him "They'll start failing. First your thermostat, now your sensors and pump. Your hydraulics are cracking and leaking and you can't get up without either purging or howling in pain. I'll let you recharge now, but when you wake up, we will start making the operation plans. I don't care how pissed you are. Was I clear?"
June let a small smile play on her lips - just what she herself wanted to tell Ratchet, too. The old medic listened with dim optics and didn't say anything this time, he was too unwell; just closed his optics and let his stiff limbs go limp. June couldn't deny that she felt sorry for him, she knew it was bad even when he lay, but they couldn't be held back anymore because of his temper tantrums.
They needed to practice for the operation, Ratchet needed to show them all the vital steps and they needed to figure out how to fix him - they needed to heal him. As much as June disliked the fact at first that her son was hanging out with giant robots, she couldn't imagine her life without them now - especially not without this stupidly arrogant miracle of a robot medic.
"Miko! Where are you?"
"Out with Jack and Raf." the girl answered immediately. She wasn't lying to her host mother; just left out the part that she was also with six alien transformers inside a secret Base, "Why?"
"You should come home." Faye Stephens' voice said through the phone, "You have a visitor."
Miko frowned and got up from the couch. It was a bit hard because of her round abdomen and her heart was beating fast, "Who?"
Mrs. Stephens hesitated a little, her voice was low and quiet which frightened Miko more than it should have, "Miko, do not get angry. I had to do this."
"Do what?!" Miko cried into the phone, silencing everyone else in the room, "Faye, just say it already!"
"I called your mother. She's here, she wants to meet you."
The air seemed to have frozen around the Japanese girl and she broke the line. She circled her arms around her chest, she could barely hear the others asking her what happened or feel the kicks of her baby, she could only concentrate on the fact that her mother - and probably the rest of her family - now knew about her secret. She wanted to tell them sooner or later, but not like this and Miko was terrified to think of how her mother will react when she saw her.
"Miko! Miko!" Jack was grasping her shoulder, his worried face was the first thing she saw. All colour drained from her face, she turned to the others, especially June.
"Faye called mom." she said, her voice trembling, "She's here. She knows."
The nurse sighed. It was inevitable, they all knew, but seeing how shaken Miko was had softened her heart, "I'll go with you."
"Let me take you home." Bulkhead volunteered after making sure everything was alright around Ratchet. He transformed and let Miko, June and Jack climb into him.
Miko's heart sank in fear, but also leapt in joy when she saw her mother. Yuriko Nakadai looked upon the truck that pulled up by the Stephens house with a worried frown and leaned forward to get a better view of her daughter. She didn't have to wait long; Miko stepped out of the car and hurried up to her as quickly as she could.
All fear was forgotten when they finally held each other close, Yuriko could feel her daughter trembling in her arms with tears streaming down her face. The anger she previously felt evaporated like water on a hot day and was replaced by loving worry for the girl she had not seen for more than a year.
"Mom," she heard Miko whisper in their own language, "I'm sorry. I'm s-sorry..."
"Miko," Yuriko spoke, too, her voice hushed and wavering, "I'm not... angry. I just want you to come home with me."
A shudder ran through Miko's body. She broke the embrace to look at her mother, her shining brown eyes that reflected her own.
"Dad?" she asked, hoping to distract her mother from her request - because no matter how happy she was to see her again, there was no way she wanted to leave everything behind.
Yuriko Nakadai looked down and hesitated, "He... didn't want to come."
Miko nodded. Exactly what she expected. "He disowned me, didn't he? I brought shame to our family..."
"No!" her mother exclaimed, "He's just... it's hard for him, Miko. It's hard for all of us."
"That's why I don't want to go home, mom." Miko said, drying her tears, "I would not be welcome. And... I'm fine here. All my friends are here. And... my son's father is here, too."
She gestured to her back where Jack and June stood. Jack now came forward, gaining enough courage to reach out a hand to Miko's mother for a handshake, "Uhm, my name is Jack Darby. I'm glad to meet you."
Yuriko shook Jack's hand and sighed, she spoke in perfect English just like her daughter, "Are you the father?"
"Yes, madame."
"Mrs. Nakadai," June stepped forward, not knowing how else to address the woman standing before her, "I'm June Darby, Jack's mother. I'm a nurse and I can reassure you that Miko and the baby are in perfect health. We're taking care of everythi-"
Just then, a loud whoosh sounded from above and the stream of smoke it left behind almost seemed to tear the sky in two - like a meteor, but this one couldn't be that. It wasn't shining and what they saw felt strikingly familiar for the two teenagers. It was a ship, and Miko knew exactly whom it belonged to.
Unfortunately, so did Bulkhead, and in a moment when excitement took over him, the heretofore immobile and perfectly ordinary car came to life and a voice from inside him filled the street with its joyful exclamation.
"Hey, Jackie's back!"
