Consequences
Part 10-Unease
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
"I've taken my beating, I've shared what I made
I'm strong on the surface, not all the way through
I've never been perfect, but neither have you"
--Leave Out All the Rest, Linkin Park
Hot Rod followed behind the others as they transferred Optimus and Barricade to berths in the med bay. He didn't see the look exchanged between Prowl and Jazz, his attention focused on Prime.
The young mech could only stand, helpless, watching the silent exchange among Ratchet, Perceptor, Wheeljack and Hoist. He nearly jumped when Ratchet's focus settled on him, before switching to Prowl.
"Get him out of here," Ratchet said, turning to start working on the two injured mechs.
Hot Rod didn't protest as Prowl's hands settled firmly on his arm, prepared to drag him forcefully if necessary. Instead, he let himself be lead from the med bay.
Once outside, he sank to the ground, not caring what Prowl thought.
"Are you all. . ." Prowl started to ask, stopping.
Hot Rod looked up.
"You really want me to answer that?" Hot Rod said.
Prowl gave him a wan smile.
"Didn't think so," Hot Rod said.
"Do you want to be alone?" Prowl asked.
"I'm not alone," Hot Rod said. "I can still sense him. It's not as strong. . .but he's still there, holding on."
Prowl stood, awkward, not sure how to proceed.
"I'll be all right, Prowl," Hot Rod said, wishing the second in command would make up his mind about what he was going to do. "Don't you have something else you could be doing?"
"Right now, I believe I am where I am needed. Jazz currently has everything else under control. If you don't mind, I think I'll stay here and wait for a progress report from Ratchet," Prowl said, settling himself down beside Hot Rod.
--
Almost three hours passed before Ratchet emerged from the med bay, satisfied he could leave long enough to give a status report to the two mechs he knew to be waiting outside.
Hot Rod started to stand, but Prowl's hand shot out, holding him down.
"Prime is now resting comfortably," Ratchet said. "The injury was not as severe as it first seemed. His left shoulder sustained some heavy damage, but it was easily repaired. He won't be doing any front line duty until those welds come out, but he saved Barricade's life."
"By doing exactly what I've been warned against," Hot Rod said.
Ratchet smiled, placing a hand on Hot Rod's shoulder in reassurance. "He wouldn't be Prime otherwise."
"I know," Hot Rod said.