Here again. :) Well... this chapter didn't turn out how I wanted it... I blame it on my sulking muse. . Sucky chapter full of errors, I apologize for that :'(

Have a nice day! :)

X.

The moment Wheeljack activated the cloaking device on the Jackhammer, a GroundBridge opened next to him and Optimus Prime himself walked out to greet him. He wore a small smile, but even the wrecker could tell it was forced and there was a kind of mental exhaustion in the leader's optics, something Wheeljack had seen many times before - and seeing it from Optimus meant something was really, really wrong.

"Hello, Prime." the 'bot stepped forward and Optimus nodded.

"Welcome, Wheeljack." the soothing baritone said, "It is good to see you again."

"Everything alright?" Wheeljack asked with a frown, "You look tired."

The Prime lowered his helm with a sigh. "In fact, things are not as they should be. There are some... changes you should know about before we go back to Base."

"I'm all audios." the other shrugged, though he tensed a little. What could be so bad that made Optimus Prime act this upset?

"Mega-cycles ago, Ratchet came down with an illness known as Starshadow-syndrome. It's a neurological disease that originates from the malfunction of his auto-repair center. He has seizures, during which his own repair nanites deactivate his neurocircuits and their connections. It is... life-threatening and we haven't found a cure yet."

Optimus stopped for a moment, letting the information sink. Wheeljack starred at him in silence with wide optics and the only thing he could utter was, "How bad?"

"Very." Optimus whispered, "He cannot stand without help and some of his systems have started to show signs of failure. He's in pain. However, his cognitive functions are untouched. He's still his old self."

Without warning, Wheeljack shoved his way past the Prime and hurried into the whirls of the GroundBridge, he didn't wait for Optimus to say anything more. Before Optimus could reach him, Wheeljack was in the Base and made his way towards the medbay, not saying a word to anyone, only to stop dead in his tracks when he got there.

The sound of weapons buzzing to life was the first thing everyone heard when the GroundBridge closed, and it was followed by Wheeljack's voice that was dripping venom as he asked,

"What is a Decepticon doing near Ratchet?!"

Bumblebee was helping Ratchet sit up while Knock Out fetched him a cube of medical grade - now the scout held out both arms, optics shining in alarm, to stop Wheeljack from shooting. Knock Out, however, stood straight and looked back at him with unwavering gaze; for a long moment they just glared at each other until a small servo landed on Wheeljack's arm.

"Stop, Wheeljack." Arcee told him, "Knock Out is a medic. He's treating Ratchet."

"A 'con?!" the wrecker snapped back, "Couldn't you find anything better?"

"Well," Knock Out spoke up, his voice gaining back its smug, sarcastic tone, "since I'm the only one, you can't really do anything about it, can you?"

"Enough!" Ratchet's shout cut through them from the berth. He pushed himself up more, his arms twitching and hydraulics creaking and looked at Wheeljack's shocked face, glaring draggers at his former partner, "Knock Out is a qualified medic. He's doing a great job. There will be no fighting in my medbay! Cut it out, Wheeljack... and wipe that look from your face! I'm not offline yet."

Wheeljack knew, but he couldn't help a small wave of fear cross his features. Most of Ratchet's armour had been taken away, his protoform was a dull colour not the shiny silver they were used to. There was a catheter tube hanging out of him, a small device attached to his chest that displayed his current temperature - which was a bit high, Wheeljack noted - and tremors kept running through his frame. His vents were cycling hard, but that angry frown was still the same Wheeljack knew all too well.

The wrecker didn't know what to say. He couldn't take his optics off the medic; he was the best, Wheeljack couldn't imagine that he hadn't been able to find a cure to this disease. He just watched Knock Out give him the medical grade energon, watched how Ratchet took it with both hands and willed his digits into a firm grip then raised the cube slowly and shakily to his mouth - until both the Decepticon and Bumblebee left Ratchet's side and the two 'bots were finally alone.

That was when Wheeljack walked up to him after a little hesitation, he had a small limp that he had all but forgotten until Ratchet waved to him to sit down. He picked up Ratchet's hand gently and raised it to his mouth to kiss it like was tradition toward a creator or elder friend. Ratchet watched him in silence, a bit surprised by the gesture he hadn't recieved from him in a long time and sighed deeply as he eyed him up and down.

"Are you injured?" the medic asked, his voice was much calmer now.

Wheeljack looked down and shrugged, "It's nothing. I just... came down 'cause I thought you could patch me up, but it's nothing. How are you?"

"Today's not the finest." Ratchet murmured and activated his scan.

"Ratch, I told you it's no-"

"Hold still." Ratchet grumbled, annoyed, as the red light swept along Wheeljack's leg, "Two tendon cables are broken. What did you get yourself into this time?"

Wheeljack didn't answer and didn't try to stop Ratchet anymore when he pulled a tray of tools next to the berth. He was still the medic and just as stubborn as the wrecker, though he worked slowly and sometimes couldn't control the trembling and twitching of his servo.

"And... what's going to happen?" Wheeljack finally asked when he thought it was safe enough.

Ratchet sighed, but answered, "I'm slowly losing motor and regulatory functions. If I die, it will be of multiple system failure before I would start losing cognitive functions. Means I'll be a conscious scrapheap, too weak to hold onto my spark anymore. That is, if we can't come up with something."

"Ratch..." Wheeljack's voice was unusually quiet, "I know we haven't been on the best terms recently, but... if you need something-"

"I know, I know." Ratchet waved, "Let's forget what happened, okay? I don't need you getting sentimental. And I definitely don't need another babysitter here. I already have one that just won't give up."

Wheeljack followed his gaze and he saw a young Autobot in the main room who was looking their way curiously. Now that he was noticed, he walked into the medbay with gleaming optics. "Hello!" he greeted the wrecker excitedly, "My name's Smokescreen."

"Wheeljack." the older 'bot smiled a little, "So, you're keeping the doc in line?"

"I'm trying." Smokescreen smirked.

"Doctors are the worst patients, huh?" Both of them chuckled and Wheeljack looked back to see Ratchet bury his face in his palm.

"Oh, Primus, why me?" Ratchet murmured and felt Wheeljack slide an arm around his shoulder and the wrecker pulled him to his chassis.

"It's okay, doc." he told him, "But seriously... do you have everything you need?"

Ratchet sighed again. Pain throbbed in his helm and he grunted, a dizzy spell threatened to wash through his processor, he found himself leaning against Wheeljack for support. "Everything we could get." the medic answered quietly.

"I'm still a mechanical engineer, you know that." Wheeljack said, "I could upgrade medical equipment for you, I have parts in the Jackhammer. Tools, or... do you have a hoverchair?"

Ratchet snorted, "Can you see any? There's been no need for it."

"But it's a good idea." Smokescreen spoke up, "Ratchet, you could use one."

"I agree." they heard Optimus' voice and the Prime joined them, "You could have more independence that way, old friend."

"I could modify that one for you." Wheeljack pointed to the chair next to the berth. Ratchet sighed and nodded - he had already had to swallow his pride, if he could move around on his own again, he could at least gain some of it back. He smiled a little at the thought, it was probably the first good news he had recieved in weeks. He weakly let his helm drop onto Wheeljack's shoulder; maybe his arrival wasn't so bad after all.

"Anyway, where's the little human?" the wrecker asked all of a sudden, "'Cause I think my entrance to the area was a bit... louder than it should've been."

"WHAT?!"

"Mom," Miko raised up her hands, "it's not what you think-"

"Yes, it is!" Yuriko Nakadai exclaimed and pointed at the truck, "It... he's one of them, isn't he?!"

All three humans stood dumbfounded at the woman's question. Bulkhead, realizing his mistake too late, now didn't even dare move, but when Miko's mother asked that, he felt like he had frozen to the spot. How could she know?

"What... what do you mean?" Miko asked her in a scared whisper.

"You're sister once found a video on the net," Yuriko began to explain, "it was soon replaced by some... dancing monkey, or I don't know, but she managed to save it to her computer. She showed us, and it was of a giant robot that walked between buildings and then transformed into a car. We thought it was nonsense, some college student testing their skills and showing off... but y-your car just talked!"

Miko sighed. She saw Jack step forward with an impressive pokerface, but she raised up a hand to stop him. Their eyes met and Miko nodded to him, "No more secrets." she quoted him. Jack looked unsure, but he had to agree that it would just make things worse for all of them if they denied the obvious from Yuriko.

"Alright, mom." Miko took a deep breath, "This truck is a transforming robot from outer space. His name is Bulkhead, he's my guardian and one of my best friends-"

"Your guardian?" Yuriko interrupted her, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes," Miko answered, trying to stay calm, "But he's not dangerous! I mean... I spend my free time with them without anyone knowing. Bulkhead protects me, it's completely safe!"

Yuriko just starred at her for a long moment, "This... has been going on... for how long?"

Miko's shoulder slumped, "More than a year."

"Mrs. Nakadai," June stepped forward again, "I knew about this. My son has his own guardian among them, too. I can reassure you that they pose no threat to us. They are good friends, and our protection is their top priority. Please, don't be angry at Miko. We all" she glared at Bulkhead, "swore to keep it a secret."

"I guess it's... understandable." Yuriko curled her fingers into a fist to keep them from trembling when she walked up to the truck and leant to the window to look inside. She saw a strange symbol on the steering wheel and machinery she didn't recognise, and, trying to persuade herself that she wasn't dreaming, she spoke, "So... you are... Bulkhead?"

The truck did not move, but he thought the woman was convinced enough for him to answer, "Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry you had to find out like this."

Yuriko took a deep breath, "You take care of my daughter?"

"We all do."

The Japanese woman felt her daughter fold her thin arms around her in an embrace and rested her head on her shoulder. "Please, mom," she heard the girl whisper in her ears, "I'd like to stay here. I'm safe here, and everything is set and ready for the baby."

"Who will raise it? You have to continue your studies, Miko. And you, too." Yuriko turned to Jack. The boy bowed his head.

"I have a job." he said, "It's nothing extraordinary, but it pays anyway. And my father will help us, too." he added, trying to sound confident - in fact, his father had yet to know he was going to have a grandson soon, "Miko and the baby can live with us... if... she can stay."

"And we also have a friend," June spoke, "an agent who has offered his help. After all we... have done for our home in helping the Autobots. As such, I can take maternity leave instead of Miko to take care of our baby."

Yuriko turned back to her daughter, memorizing her features all the way to her to her round belly. She was different, yet still the same, and the people who stood behind her looked sincere and ready to support her. "You don't want to come home with me?"

Miko shook her head and leant against her mother again. "But we can visit each other any time. The Autobots have a GroundBridge that can take you anywhere on Earth."

"What?"

"This is true." Bulkhead joined in quietly, "Our medic built it. That's how we travel."

"It can take us back to Tokyo anytime for free." Miko grinned, she had gained some confidence now that she saw her mother wasn't angry or shocked anymore. She knew her mother, she inherited her curiosity from her and thus she wasn't surprised at Yuriko's next request towards Bulkhead.

"I want to see you. I want to see that... my daughter is safe here."

Bulkhead was quiet for a while, not moving at all, then they heard a click and Miko grabbed her mother's arm to pull her away a little. She knew what that sound signalled and expected her friend to open his doors for them. She encouraged Yuriko to get inside with June taking the driver's seat, then Bulkhead's doors closed and his engine rumbled as he departed from the Stephens house. "We'll find a secluded area, there I will transform. But I... don't think we should go to the Base."

"Yes, that's right." June nodded.

"Why?" Miko asked with a frown, "Mom took it well, and she could travel ba-... oh, yes. Ratchet."

"Ratchet?"

"He's our medic." Bulkhead answered Yuriko Nakadai's question quietly, "He's quite sick now, and... he doesn't like new things. We don't want to make him upset, please, understand. I think Wheeljack has already done that..."

"I knew things just can't go right when you're here!" Ratchet bellowed, "And Bulkhead blew his cover, too?!"

"Well... I heard him on the comm. and saw him move with those humans around... I couldn't identify two of them, but I thought you knew-"

"Slagging wreckers! You just can't keep yourselves from blowing things up, son of a-"

"Ratchet!" Optimus' voice, though not as loud as the medic's, still cut through the air of the silo, "That's enough. What's done is done, we have called Rafael to investigate those conspiracy websites. You must calm down, you're core temperature is rising again."

Ratchet's vents worked with wheezing intakes and he felt his thermostat and pump tighten painfully, but he didn't care. Pushing his throbbing headache and the rising heat that made him dizzy, the older mech sat up with a growl and pointed a finger at Wheeljack, "I only calm down when that fragger's gone!"

At that moment, his vision started fading and he felt like his frame was on fire. His inner pressure was too high, temperature too high and nausea built up in him. He didn't know how much time had passed, it must not have been more than mere nanokliks, the next thing he knew was that Bumblebee's anxious face filled up his horizon and he was folded in the young scout's arms.

Ratchet..., his beeps seemed to come from a distance even with Bumblebee speaking so close to his audios and Ratchet had a hard time translating the younger 'bots buzzing, Your vents are exhaling smoke. You're burning up. Please, calm down...

Smoke?, Ratchet frowned and looked up to see the worried and scared faces of his comrades. Now he could also feel the faint smoke that left his vents with every forceful intake, it seemed harder to breath and he swore he could hear a small gurgling sound every time he vented. Something was clogging his vents? Maybe he had a coolant leak again? That would explain the growing heat and pain in his chest...

He buried his helm into Bumblebee's neck cables and forced himself to calm down. He mumbled something that Bumblebee couldn't understand, but he didn't let go of Ratchet not even when he saw Knock Out hurry up to them, pushing his way past Arcee, Optimus and Wheeljack, ignoring the glares he recieved from the wrecker. Even before he touched him, the Decepticon could feel the heat radiating from the other mech.

"It's your thermostat again." Knock Out murmured, "I'm preparing you for a drain-"

He was interrupted when Ratchet pushed Bumblebee away all of a sudden, darkened coolant shot out of him, choking coughs racked his body, his ventilation systems and thermostat fought to expel the excess coolant that leaked out. Sharp pain shot through his processor with every cough, he couldn't even feel the needle struck in his back that slowly started to drain the fluid from his vents. He felt a large servo wipe the coolant from his chin and saw Optimus above himself, he pushed him back down gently just as Knock Out pulled the tube out of his system.

"No more of this, Ratchet." he heard his best friend say to him, his voice soft with a worried frown, "You can't do this to yourself upon the smallest of problems. No more shouting match, no more outbursts. You must control yourself more, old friend... You can't make yourself worse ever again like this. Do you understand?"

His vents were still working overtime, but his processor cleared somewhat. Ratchet forced out a small nod, knowing full well that his leader was right, he just couldn't help himself - Wheeljack always managed to bring up this side of him, no matter how grateful he was for his presence for a short time. He swallowed down his rising anger and concentrated on what Knock Out was telling him, "I'm putting you under, Ratchet. I have to open you up and see that thermostat myself. And don't you dare argue. Now, everyone who doesn't have a medical degree, out of the bay!"

Ratchet saw Wheeljack's shocked and worried face and him moving towards him before his optics offlined. The last thing he felt was a scarred hand grab his own as the anesthetic put him to sleep.