Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me.
Summery: (AU) Even Cybertronians sometimes think they are something they are not. On Cybertron, one Cybertronian is not what she appears to be. Actually a male spark is house in the femme bot's body. Can she/he hide the femme form away from prying male optics, and make friends/protectors of her/he secret?
"blah" – Comm. Specking
blah – thinking
The One Called Prowl
by Yami-Yugi
Chapter 11
The next day, Bumblebee and Gadget took Safire to see Miss Silvia. Safire trembled a bit from the tip of her horns to her feet. "It's alright, Safire," soothed Gadget as she rubbed her back. "She'll be just fine."
"Ratchet's the best," added Bumblebee as they neared the double doors.
"Okay..."
The two smiled as they reached the closed double doors. Gadget walked through them. "Closed but not locked...hmm..." The group headed inside and there was no sign of Ratchet at all. He was recharging from an all nighter on Miss Silvia. Said femme was resting on a berth. She was hooked up to an energon line and a diagnostic computer showing her vitals.
The three near her. "Miss Silvia..." Bumblebee started, worried that she might be asleep.
She smiled weakly up at him. "Hey sweetspark," she said. Bumblebee smiled back at her. Safire warily neared her. She had welding seams all over her face and body that were starting to heal. Silvia smiled a bit more brightly. "Hey, you're alright, little one. I'm so sorry I frightened you."
"...It's okay... You look much better."
"Thank you little one."
Safire smiled. "So, where's Ratchet?"
"He's...recharging...in his office..."
"He probably pulled an all nighter." said Bumblebee.
"Yeah," nodded Gadget. "I'm glad you're okay."
"What about rebuilding the pub?" Bumblebee asked.
"That's a great question," Gadget agreed.
"Have you asked anyone yet?" Safire asked.
"Now now, don't go overloading the poor femme with questions," said a familiar mech as he entered.
Silvia smiled at the familiar face. "It's been a while."
"Yes it has," he smiled.
The three younglings smiled at the older mech. "I'm sorry to hear about your pub, Silvia."
"There's nothing you could have done, HeatSpot. It's by the grace of Primus I'm still alive."
The old minibot smiled. "Yes, I know."
"I only wish you could have seen it. I've grown oh so much since I left."
"I'm sure you have," HeatSpot smiled as he took one her hands.
"You were like a creator to me."
HeatSpot smiled. Gadget and Bumblebee smiled too. "C'mon. Let's let them visit. We'll see you later, Miss Silvia."
"Bye, I'm glad you're better," said Safire. Silvia smiled at them. The three left Medical Bay and walked down the hall. "What now?" Safire asked.
"We could see what Prowl and Jazz are doing." said Bumblebee.
"Sounds good to me," agreed Gadget.
"Okay," shrugged Safire. The three of them went to find them. They found Jazz pestering Prowl in his office.
"Jazz, why don't you go see how Silvia's doing?" Prowl had said with a sigh.
"Cause I know she's fine. C'mon..." he whined. "You've been deep in your work all morning..."
"Because I'm working."
Jazz hugged him. "You ALWAYS work. Come take a break with me. Please...?" Bumblebee and Gadget couldn't help but giggle.
"Is there something you three need?" Prowl asked when he saw them.
"We just...wanted to...to see what you were up to..." Bumblebee said sadly.
"Aww, you're bein hard on them, Prowler..."
"Bumblebee..." Prowl started with a sigh.
Jazz came over to them. "C'mon. You three can hang out with me. Forget this boring mech," he said as he led them out. Prowl watch them leave, as his doorwings lower a bit.
"Bye Prowl," Bumblebee sighed as they walked down the hall.
"Is something wrong with Prowl?" Safire asked.
"Nothing wrong, Prowler's just addicted to his work." Jazz said.
"I thought he'd want to see me..." Bumblebee sighed.
"Maybe when he isn't so busy."
"Yeah," Gadget said as she put a hand on his shoulder. "He loves you, he was just busy that's all."
Safire looked at Jazz. "Is he always that way when working?"
"Well he is second in command of all the Autobot army," Jazz said "So the mech has lots of stuff to do."
"...I see..." Safire nodded.
Suddenly the door to Prowl's office open and Prowl came out of his office. Jazz turned and smirked at his best friend. "I thought ya were too busy?"
"Well...I guess those reports for Prime can wait a bit..." Prowl said as he came up to them. Bumblebee smiled and looked at his protector expectantly. Prowl then smiled a bit at Bumblebee.
"But, aren't the reports important? Shouldn't you get them done?" Safire asked.
He came over to Safire with a smile. "Time with friends is more important." She smiled back.
Jazz smiled. "I was just about to take them on a nice drive and tour of the city."
"Isn't that dangerous with Decepticons around Jazz?"
"Not if we stay inside Iacon." Prowl was unsure. "It's alright, Prowler. The city itself is protected. We'll turn back if anything should happen."
"Very well."
The group happily went outside the central base. "Alright, transform and let's go," smiled Jazz. Everyone transformed, except Safire. She watched them sadly.
"...I...I guess I can't go..."
"Oh that's right; you need your own alt mode now." Prowl said.
Safire stared at the ground sadly. Gadget went back into root mode. She put a hand on Safire's shoulder. "I'm sorry, little one."
"Why don't we take her somewhere to pick one out?" asked Prowl.
"Yeah," agreed Bumblebee.
"I think I know a good place," smiled Gadget. She transformed again. "Hop in, Safire."
"Okay," Safire said as she perked up a bit. Gadget open her door for her. The powder blue femme climbed inside and the group headed off.
As they drove through Iacon, Safire stared out Gadget's window panel. Gadget could only smile at her curiosity. She was leading the group to a high look out point towards the boundaries of the city. Prowl was getting nervous because they were getting too close to the boundary. Bumblebee was still curious on Gadget's idea. Gadget stopped and transformed as they pulled up to the balcony.
"Here we are, Safire. You can get a view of all the different forms from here." Safire came to look. Her purple optics widened.
"Wow! Such a view!" said Bumblebee. Jazz could only smile. Prowl still looked nervous.
"Hover cars...jets...planes...transport vehicles..."
"Anything you want, little lady." Safire watched cybertronians drive by and fly by. Many things caught her optic as she watched the bustling planet.
"Take as much time as you need," smiled Gadget.
"Anything you choose will be great."
Safire gasped happily. "I know what I want!"
"What is it?" Bumblebee asked.
"That!" Safire smiled as she pointed to a cybertronian jet flying by.
"A flyer?" Prowl asked a bit confused.
"Yeah! How do I do that?"
"Well..." started Jazz.
"Just scan it and you'll send a picture to your alternate mode programming. Then, transform."
"Yeah. Scan what you want and then transform into it," agreed Bumblebee. Safire smiled. She stared hard at the jet. Her optics glowed a moment and then she closed them. She slowly transformed into a much smaller version of the jet. The paint on the mini jet was powder blue with a silver Autobot insignia on the center of the nose.
She took off. "Whoohooo!"
"Don't go to far, none of us can fly." Prowl called out.
"Oh..." she sighed as she landed and transformed.
"Shall we continue on the tour?" smiled Jazz.
"Okay."
"Yeah," smiled Bumblebee.
"I don't know... I don't want to stay out here too late."
"It's not going to be that bad, Prowler."
"I hope not..." Everyone transformed into their alternates and followed Jazz back around the city border. Safire flew behind him over head. She loved the view she had.
"Everything's so beautiful..."
"Yeah, cool huh." Jazz said.
"Definitely!"
"You get such a nice view of Iacon from here." Bumblebee said.
"Yeah..." Prowl said. There was a familiar form that passed over head. Prowl suddenly stops in his tracks.
"Prowler? Is something wrong?"
"...H...He's here..." Bumblebee looked at his guardian. "...Devitron..." There was evil laughter, rivaled only by Megatron as a familiar frame transformed into view.
"Well well well...what do we have here?" he smirked.
"YOU!" Safire yelled, firing at him as she flew circles around him.
"Safire!" shouted Bumblebee.
"You hurt my friends!"
"Ha ha ha ha!" Devitron laughed as he easily took hold of her with a stretch of his hand. He casted her aside. "You're a pest..." He was only mildly wounded by her. She transformed back, one of her wings refusing to fold back against her body. She was wounded badly. "You send a pest after me?"
"How dare you! I wasn't finished making you pay!" she shouted trying to stand. Devitron growled and was about to quip back at her.
His optics widened and then squinted in anger. "YOU! You're that piece of junk that wasted your life to save these puny Autobots!" He went over and grabbed her with his hand. He squeezed and growled at her. "I thought I turned you into metal filings..."
"...Ggg...cch...-gasps, groans grunts-..."
"Leave her alone!"
Devitron laughed. "Going to try and stop me, freak?" Prowl growled.
"Let her go, creep," Jazz sneered. Devitron squeezed harder. Safire moaned and coughed up energon as she could no longer struggle. Prowl suddenly fired at him, careful not to hit her.
He dropped her and cradled his hand. "So! You protect freaks AND piles of scrap metal!"
"She's more than scrap!" growled Jazz as he tackled him. Devitron growled and turned to Jazz to fight. Prowl joined in too. Gadget rushed over to Safire.
"Is she okay?" Bumblebee asked.
"...I...I don't know..." Bumblebee started to get worried.
"...I...I'm...s-sorry I...I was..."
"Ssshhh, no Safire. Don't try to talk," Gadget tried to smile. She checked her over using what skills she had so far. "We...We need to get you to Ratchet..."
"But...We can't leave Prowl and Jazz..." Bumblebee protested.
"I'll call him out here... 'Gadget to Ratchet...Are you there teacher? Gadget to Ratchet please respond.'
'I'm here Gadget. What's wrong?'
'We...We were out for a nice cruise around the city... Devitron's here... He...He hurt Safire badly... We...We can't leave...' She fired a shot at Devitron's exposed back. "Take that, slagger!"
'Okay hang on there. I'll be right there with back up.'
'Please hurry...' Gadget voice quivered, betraying the tears she was trying to hide.
Devitron growled and reached for Bumblebee and Gadget, but Jazz stopped them. "You should be focusing your attention on us!" yelled Prowl with a good kick to Devitron's stomach plating.
"You stupid Autobots!"
"You're stupid to be out here all by yourself!" Jazz said as he kicked Devitron in the back. Devitron growled, turning to attack him. Prowl shot at him before he could hit Jazz. Ratchet raced towards them.
"...R-Ratchet..." Safire smiled weakly as he came over.
"Easy Safire. I'll fix you up."
"...I was...only trying...to help..."
"You shouldn't talk, Safire..." Gadget smiled gently at her. She just smiled weakly as Ratchet looked her over.
"We need to get her inside."
"She's that bad?"
"She's going to be okay, right?" Bumblebee added.
"She'll be fine. I have better equipment inside. She'll be safer there."
"But...-cough-...P-Prowl...and...Jazz..."
"They can handle it." Ratchet said.
"...But...D-Devi...tron..."
"He's no match for Prowl and Jazz together," Ratchet said as he carefully picked her up into his arms.
"...I...h-hope so..." Ratchet carried her back towards the base.
Gadget and Bumblebee followed. Safire fell asleep as they walked. "She's done nothing but give since we built her..."
"Yeah," smiled Bumblebee. "Even when she was an A.I. drone she had a spark of gold."
"Well...now she really DOES have a spark of gold," smiled Gadget. "The poor dear..."
"She will be good as new when I'm done fixing her." Ratchet said.
"Yeah..." smiled Bumblebee. Safire coughed up a bit of energon before cuddling closer to Ratchet in her sleep. "Are you sure she's okay?"
"She's not fatally wounded."
"I hope not," Gadget sighed as they entered the base. Bumblebee started to get worried about Jazz and Prowl. "Don't worry, Bee," Gadget smiled with a hand on his shoulder. "They'll teach that pit spawn a lesson."
"Yeah...I guess... I keep on thinking someone should had stay behind to help..."
"You're just worried about Prowl," said Ratchet. "It's the connection between protector and sparkling."
"I told him I would protect him now..."
"There will be times when he'll be fine on his own."
"I know..." Ratchet smiled as he laid Safire on a repair berth. He started her on an energon IV and got to work. He started cutting away the damaged plating.
"Why don't you two go get some energon and rest up. I should be done with her in a little while," Ratchet said, not looking up from his work.
"Okay, come on Bee." He nodded and followed Gadget out. Ratchet watched them leave a moment before going back to Safire.
At that moment, Jazz and Prowl came in. Ratchet looked up from his work and saw them. "Well, we chased Devitron away for now."
"What's wrong with the little lady?" Jazz asked worriedly. Prowl looked worried too.
"Devitron dented her pretty well, but she'll survive."
"Where's Bee and Gadget?"
"I told them to refuel and rest."
"Maybe we should do the same, Prowler."
"Yes, it seems Ratchet has his hands full. I know you'll take care of her." With that the two commanding officers left Ratchet alone again.
"...De...Devi...tron..."
"Easy Safire." Her optics slowly opened. She moaned in pain.
"...M-must...help..." she said, trying to get up.
Ratchet gently held her down. "It's okay Safire. Prowl and Jazz chased him off."
"They're...okay...?"
"They're just fine. You need to go back to sleep so I can finish patching you up."
"...Okay..." She closed her optics weakly, unable to stay awake. Ratchet gave her a sedative to make sure. He sighed and went back to work.
Ratchet soon finished. He carefully cleaned her up and checked over the work before moving her to a regular berth to rest. He went back into his office to fill out medical reports from the battle. Safire slowly onlined and sat up. "I must find Gadget and Bumblebee…" she sighed worriedly. She looked around to make sure no one was watching before getting up and leaving. She looked down the hall as the Medical Bay doors closed behind her. She reached out with her spark to find her friends and weakly ran down the hall.
Safire smiled as she reached the recreation room of the base. She saw Bumblebee and Gadget playing a nice game together. She weakly made her way over to them. "…Gadget…Bumblebee…y-you're okay…" she smiled as her intakes were shallow. She walked up to them.
"Safire? What are you doing out of Medical?" Gadget asked.
"…I…I was so worried… You two…were hurt and…I…wanted to-…" she fell forward and Bumblebee rushed to catch her.
"You still need to rest. We're alright," he said as he sat her in his lap.
"We should probably get you back. Ratchet will be upset when he finds you've left."
"…I…I hope he's not going to be angry with me…" she said, looking more upset.
"If he is, it's because he's concerned. He doesn't want you to get hurt or make injuries worse.
"Yeah, it's because he cares," smiled Bumblebee. "Let's take you back. You're not ready to be released yet." Bumblebee took her into his arms as he stood.
"We can finish our game later," smiled Gadget as she stood up too. They walked out of the Recreation Room and headed towards Medical.
Down the hall from Medical, Ratchet was searching for Safire. He was upset, but mostly worried. He had figured out it wasn't the twins again. He shook his head. Of all the Cybertronians to leave Medical Bay early of their own opinion…
"Oh…Ratchet…here you are. We were just on our way to Medical," said Gadget.
"Safire managed to come find us in the Recreation Room."
"She did, did she?" he asked in stern tone. Safire hid against Bumblebee as much as she could. "I was worried." Ratchet said.
"...Huh...?" Safire said, looking him in the optic.
"You're not well enough yet. I don't want you to hurt yourself further."
"I...I'm sorry... I was very worried about Gadget and Bee... I...I thought I could go find them."
"You should have told me and I could have comm. them."
"...I...I'm in trouble...aren't I...?" she said, looking down. Gadget and Bumblebee could only smiled.
"Yes, you are forbidden to leave the Medical Bay until I say so." Safire looked down a the floor sadly.
"You'll be alright, Safire. The twins get much worse a punishment," joked Gadget.
"Yeah don't be scared." Bumblebee said.
"...I'm not...just mad at myself..."
Bumblebee set her down. "It's alright. Go ahead with Ratchet. We'll come visit later maybe."
"...Okay..."
She walked over to Ratchet. He put a hand on her shoulder to hold her back. "See ya later, Safire. Behave yourself this time," Gadget smiled.
"Bye..."
Gadget turned and followed Bumblebee away. Ratchet looked down at Safire. "C'mon now." Safire nodded sadly and let Ratchet led her away.
Once in Medical Bay, Ratchet led Safire over to a berth. "Lie down and rest for a while." Safire sighed. She climbed up and laid down. She turned over on her side and closed her optics. She sighed heavily before falling asleep again. He did some scans and looked her over as she slept. He smiled a bit. She reminded him of Gadget when she was younger. He walked over to the other side of the Bay to organize the cabinets of supplies.
Sunstreaker and Sideswipe came in. "Hey Ratchet!"
"...Safire's here..." said Sideswipe.
"What do you two need? And keep it down. There's a patient trying to rest."
"She's here huh?" Sunstreaker said.
"Sunny... She's a living person now. Give her some respect." Sunstreaker just huffed, crossing his arms.
"You're a selfish slagger with no regard for anyone or anything other than yourself," Ratchet growled. "Tell me what you want or get the Pit out of my Medical Bay."
"I need new paint, look at me." Sunstreaker said.
"You come complaining from a few nicks and dings..." Ratchet growled. "What do YOU want, Sideswipe?"
"...I...I just wanted a standard to check up. I was practicing with Sunny and I just want to make sure I'm okay."
Ratchet growled and walked over to them. "Alright, get over here." Sideswipe sighed and obediently sat down on the berth.
"Me too?" Sunstreaker asked.
Ratchet just growled and then turned his attention back to Sideswipe. "I...I apologize for my brother..."
"Hey!"
"Quiet Sunstreaker!" Ratchet yelled. Sideswipe winced. Ratchet sighed and finished up Sideswipe's check up. "You're just fine, Sideswipe."
"Thanks. Is Safire okay?"
"She will be find with some more rest."
"That's good. When will she be released?"
"In one week."
"She's hurt that badly?" Sideswipe asked worriedly.
"No I'm keeping her here cause she left the medical bay without my permission."
"Huh, sounds familiar, doesn't it?" smiled Sunstreaker. Sideswipe looked at his brother. "We used to make mischief all the time. Always eager to leave MedBay."
"And most of the time it was a prank gone wrong," smiled Sideswipe. Ratchet just smirked. "So...her first time disobeying you huh?" smiled Sideswipe.
Ratchet nodded. "But I sure it will be her last." he said.
"Yeah, with Gadget teaching her it will."
"Maybe not. She can make her own decisions. She might have thought it was fun to leave on her own," said Sunstreaker. Ratchet glared at them.
He smiled a bit. "Sunstreaker, you just defended her and refered to her as a person." Sunstreaker looked shock, blinked his optics.
"...So I did..." Sideswipe came over to him and put an arm around him.
"C'mon, Sunny. I'll fix you up. Let's leave Ratchet alone."
"Fine."
Sideswipe turned to leave. "Oh... I guess I need to borrow some things to do so..."
"It would be better if I did the fixing," Ratchet said seriously. "Sunstreaker, sit now. If you so much as utter anything negative or demeaning, I'll send you to the brig just the way you are."
"Alright, Ratchet," said Sideswipe. "If it's alright, I'll go ahead and go. Sorry if we were any trouble."
"YOU weren't the trouble," he said glaring at Sunstreaker.
The golden hover car twin just gulped. "Behave yourself, Sunny. I'll get us some energon for later." Sunstreaker sighed.
Two cycles later, Safire was fully recovered. Today was her first day of her punishment. She was only allowed to leave Medical Bay to sleep in her shared quarters with Gadget. She sighed heavily, dreading this cycle and the cycles to come. She went over to the energon dispenser and tried to make two cubes. "Need some help?"
"...I...I can get it..." she said as she juggled her own cube while trying to fill a new one for Ratchet. "Almost...aack!" she said as she lost hold her own cube. Ratchet caught it before it could make a mess.
"Be careful there."
"Sorry..."
Ratchet smiled and took the bigger cube she had made for him. "It's alright. I appreciate your help. Don't be afraid to ask next time. Just because your my helper, doesn't mean you have to do everything yourself."
"But..."
"It's only a punishment, not an enslavement." He set down his cube and took hers to set down too. He pat her on the helm. "You got energon on you anyway," he smiled. He took a cloth and wiped her face and hands.
"You really are nice. Why do the twins and a few others say you aren't?"
"Because those that do don't know me that well. Being the Cheif Medical Officer has it's long nights and sometimes I'm sleep deprived. I also get annoyed when everyone comes in with the same reckless injuries. Like Sunstreaker for example..." Ratchet sighed. "They only know me as the grumpy, angry medic with a short fuse."
"They should get to see the real you."
"Some of them do, some don't. I do my best. I don't let them get to me though. I only care about the opinions of those who care about me. You should do the same," Ratchet smiled.
"I will." Safire said with a smile.
"Now, the first order of business is to fuel up," Ratchet said as he handed her, her energon cube.
Safire smiled. "Then what?"
"Then you can help me organize all the cabinets and the supply closet." Safire's purple optics widened as she looked at the expansive medical bay.
"...Ohh..." she sighed heavily.
"I said HELP," he replied taking a drink of his cube. "That doesn't mean, All By Yourself, Safire."
"It's still...so big..."
"Well it has to be just in case." She sighed and started to drink her cube. Ratchet smiled and started with his as well.
Safire observed the Medical Bay as she drank. "There sure are a lot of berths. It would be sad if really needed them."
"Yes, we are in a war." Safire sighed, shivering a bit. She knew Miss Silvia had been released by now.
"You okay?"
"...Sorry... I was just remembering what happened to Miss Silvia. I'm still new to this concept of war. I...I'm still scared..."
"It's okay to be scared."
"But I know I shouldn't be. What helps you?"
"I think of the peace we're fighting for. I think of the innocent neutrals and Autobots. Most importantly, I think of Optimus and my friends that I hold close to my spark," the CMO smiled as he put a hand on her shoulder. "I think of my family."
"Family?"
"Prime, my friends, Gadget, Jack, and YOU. You're all my family."
"Really?"
"Of course," he smiled.
Safire happily finished her cube with a smile and so did Ratchet. They exchanged smiles. "Now what do we do with the empty ones?"
"There should be a washer next to the dispenser. Just place them inside and I'll show you were to put them when they're clean."
Safire nodded and did as told. She came back over. "Where should I start with organizing?"
"Let's start with the supply closet. That way, when we need to restock supplies, we'll know where things are."
"Okay," Safire said. So, the two got busy organizing the supply closet.
Prowl and Jazz came in to see how things were going and get regular checks ups from the battle with Devitron a few days ago. "Hey Ratch!" Jazz said with a smile.
"Ratchet, where are you?" Prowl asked as the two mechs walked further into Medical.
"We're back here."
"Oh..." smiled Jazz as he went back towards the supply closet. Ratchet emerged to talk to them. Safire decided to try and move supplies on some high shelves on her own. She moved some solvents aside and tried to get a few down to check how much was in them.
"...I've...almost...got them... If I just...step down this...WA-AAHHH!" she yelled as she fell from the high shelves, dumping some of the solvents on her. "...Ohh..." she grumbled. "I'm such a klutz..." Embarrassment showed on her face as she weakly tried to clean up the mess.
"Everything alright in there, Safire?" Ratchet asked.
"...Yes...!"
"You're sure?" he asked, hearing the stress in her voice.
"...I'm sure...!"
"As I was saying, let's get you over to a berth and I'll check you over."
"You can go first Prowler." Jazz said.
"Alright," Prowl said as he took a seat.
"How's your amour?" Ratchet said.
"It feels alright," Prowl said. Ratchet checked the seams anyway.
"Well, it seems your armor is starting to fuse nicely with your original frame."
"That's good." Prowl said.
"Yeah..." agreed Jazz.
"You're good to go now, Prowl. Jazz?" Said mech smiled and came over to sit where Prowl was. Prowl smiled.
"RATCHET!" Safire squeaked from the supply closet. She had finished cleaning up the solvent mess and was putting away the containers she had on the shelf. In doing so, she had noticed the solvents starting to eat away at her paint. She had stinging pain all over and her paint was coming off. "Something's wrong!" she freaked.
"Calm down, what happened?" Ratchet replied as he rushed back over to the supply closet. "What did you spill?" he asked worriedly.
"Well..." She tried to think calmly at what she had just been organizing. "I know there were some cleaners for dissenfecting a wound and a few others. I...I don't really know..." she sighed worriedly.
"Let me see." He carefully took hold of her and led her out of the supply closet. He did some scans and looked at the colors of the chemicals. "There were definitely some dissenfectants and a can of paint remover. What were you doing handling the nitric acid I use for cleaning up energon?"
"...Tr-trying to move it..."
"Well, the combination of what you spilled is what's causing the problem. You've got a nasty concotion all over you. And by cleaning up the mess yourself, that only added to it."
"...I... I'm really sorry... I was just...doing what I was told to do..." She started to cry, both from pain and embarrassment. "...I should have asked...for help..."
"It's alright," he said gently. "Accidents happen. Let's get you to the wash racks."
"I'm sorry..."
"It's alright. I'm glad you're not seriously injured. I'm just a little disappointed that you didn't ask for help, but you're spark was in the right place. If you'll excuse me," he said to Prowl and Jazz as he walked out of Medical with Safire.
"Sure Ratch!" Jazz said with a smile.
"I hope she'll be alright," sighed Prowl. Safire was almost sobbing as they entered the wash racks.
"It's okay we'll get it off." Ratchet said.
"...I know..." she sniffled. He turned on the water and waited for it to get warm. He led her underneath the flow. The chemicals started to flow down the drain. She sniffled and whimpered as he carefully got into her seams and joints with a rag. He stopped, switching the flow to cleaning fluid before using the rag again.
"I'm almost done."
"...I know..."
Ratchet smiled at her as he turned the flow back to rinse. "It's alright. Like I said, accidents happen. You're sorry and the mess is cleaned up. Don't worry about it." She sniffled and nodded. He turned off the flow and led her out. "Let's get you dried off and back to MedBay."
"...Kay..." He smiled and rubbed her on the helm. He lead her to the dryer area.
Safire constantly rubbed her optics to stop the tears as she dried off. She took a deep intake as he led her back to Medical. "You know," he smiled as he pulled her closer in an embrace, "you remind me of Gadget when she was your age."
"Really?"
"Really," he smiled. "She made mistakes too. She'd get upset and embarrassed about them as well." Safire smiled a bit. Ratchet smiled back at her. Ratchet soon finished drying Safire off. "C'mon, let's get back to the others."
"Okay." He put an arm around her and led her down the hall back to Medical.
"You okay?" Jazz asked when they came back.
"Yeah, I am now." Jazz smiled.
"You're quite the diligent helper," Prowl smiled. Safire smiled a bit.
"C'mon, Safire, let's finish up the supply closet. Let ME handle the higher shelves this time." The little blue femme blushed deeply.
"We can see you're busy. We'll get outta yer way," said Jazz.
"Make sure you come back. I still haven't checked you out, Jazz."
"I'll bring him back later," said Prowl. "C'mon, Jazz."
"Later Ratch!" The two left and Safire turned her attention back to her task at hand.
"We're completely out of sedative and two other medicines."
"Alright. Once we finish here, you can help me make more."
"You synthesize and mix them here?"
"Not all of them. Some are specially made and I have to order them."
"From a supply store?"
"Sometimes…there… I'm finished. How about you?"
"Yeah. The last liter of solution is in it's place," she said as she pushed a bottle into its place on the shelf. Ratchet couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, let's make up some more solutions," Ratchet said as he led her over to a special counter.
"Okay."
Ratchet went back into the supply closet and got the chemicals he needed. He set them on the counter along with the empty containers. "Alright..."
"So how do we mix them?"
"First, get a measuring cup from the cabinet."
"Okay." Safire said as she went to the cabinet. She reached into the cabinet and produce two measuring cups and a graduated cylinder. "Now what?"
"Alright. Let's do the sedative first. It's very delicate."
"Okay."
"Now, it's one quart of the blue one, two cups of the pink one, and two quarts of the clear one."
"...Okay... one quart of the blue one...or was it two?"
"Just one, you can't over dose on the mix. It's a sensitive solution, sedative."
"What would happen it was over dose?"
"Then the sedative either wouldn't work, or it would kill."
"Oh my! Better be careful then." She carefully measured and poured the first chemical slowly into the proper container. Ratchet smiled again as he watch her. She set the cup down and rinsed it out. Then she took the graduated cylinder and measured the next chemical. "Is this right?" she asked.
Ratchet nodded. "That's correct." Safire happily finished mixing the sedative. "Congratulations, Safire."
Safire smiled happily. "What's next?" she asked.
"Let's mix up the medication for surface injuries."
"How does that go?"
"Three liters of the blue, one of the green, and a half cup of clear."
"Okay." Ratchet watched her mix it and pour it all on her own.
"You are doing very well."
"Really?"
"Really," he smiled as he put a hand on her shoulder.
"Alright! I'm ready for the last one." Ratchet smiled at her again.
"Alright, this is another delicate balance since this medication is for more serious injuries. It takes an exact quart an one half of the blue. It takes an exact half a cup of the red. The final mix is two special ingredients. I need to get them from the supply closet."
"Can I get them?"
"They're on the high shelf you tried to reach earlier. I'll have to get them. Sit tight until I come back out."
"Okay..."
Ratchet came back out a bit too quickly. "Well...looks like I'm taking you on a trip."
"Huh?"
"We're out of what we need to make the last one. I need a few other things as well. Let's get cleaned up and go." Ratchet helped her set the chemicals aside and wash her hands.
"Where we are going?"
"Into Iacon. There's a medical supply store that has what I need."
"Okay."
Ratchet smiled. "Alright, let's go." Safire smiled happily. She LOVED the city. Ratchet smiled at her excitible nature. Once the two were outside the base, they transformed. She hovered behind him.
They landed and walked through the heart of the city. Little did they know Starscream was following them. He thought Safire was more than a pile of scrap and junk. He knew Megatron thought along the same lines as well. Starscream was masked as a neutral, walking feet behind them out of sight. He wanted to study her for his own personal gain. She survived without a spark, dying as a drone. And now she was living and breathing? "Alright, here we are. The mech inside knows me." They walked inside and the chime rang.
"Hello, welcome-... Ratchet! How you doing these cycles?"
"Oh, I've been fine."
"The base doing well?"
"Yep, keeping them healthy and functioning."
"That's good to hear. I know you didn't come here to see me."
"I need a few chemicals and supplies I'm out of."
"Alright, let's see what you need."
"Hello," smiled Safire.
"Well well well, who's this little femme you've got with you?"
"Her name is Safire. She's my helper today."
"Oh. Nice to meet you little lady."
"You too," she smiled. "I left Medical Bay early without doctor's orders so I'm helping for a few days as punishment."
"Oh, so you're a trouble maker hmm?" he smiled.
"Well I…"
"She was eager to get back to her friends and see if they were alright."
"So I see," the mech smiled again.
"…I…I'm very close to them…" she smiled shyly and nervously.
Only because they are your creators… You are a product of their scientific tinkerings, nothing more. Starscream watched from the window, growing more intrigued as he watched her.
"Well, I've got everything. Take what you need. I'll be in the back if you need anything." Safire examined the store curiously. She looked at everything on all the shelves.
"Here, hold these for me," Ratchet said as he handed her a small pile of supplies.
"Okay…" she said as she juggled the pile. "Got it…"
"I need both hands to hold the chemicals I need."
"Alright." She looked around a little, but she wasn't completely interested. Gadget would have been like a sparkling in a sweet shop. Safire smiled as she thought of her friend/creator. She would LOVE it in here. She would love all this stuff.
"Safire, I'm ready to go now."
"Okay. I bet Gadget would love this place."
"I brought her when she had first started her training," he smiled. "I couldn't keep her hands off of anything." Safire smiled as they went up to the counter to pay.
"Ready to go? My you WERE out of some things."
"Thanks a lot, Safeguard. Feel free to come visit. You're always welcome among the Autobots."
"I don't want to get involved. I'm only interested in helping others."
"Safeguard, that's your name," Safire said.
"Sure is. You can count on me for anything you might need."
"I'm sure. You're nice."
"Yeah, but you can be stubborn too."
"Oh, Ratchet. We go way back. You know I'll NEVER join those stupid 'Cons."
"I know, Safe. Just be careful."
"Take care, Ratchet."
"I will, Safeguard."
"You take care too, Safire. You're a sweet little Autobot. I'd hate for something bad to happen to you."
"It won't. I have family to take care of me." Safeguard could only smile as they left. As they headed back, Safire saw a book and hobby store. She stopped and stared with a childish gleam in her optics.
"Safire…Safire what are you-…"
"Can we go inside? Please Ratchet? I mean…I know I'm on punishment but…"
"You've done well enough today. Besides, you had good intentions when you left Medical on your own."
"So I can go in?"
"Yes, you can go in," he smiled widely.
"YES!" she squealed excitedly. She handed him the supplies carefully before running inside. Ratchet could only laugh at her. She reminded him of Gadget a lot. He never had a daughter, but Gadget was the closest thing to one. "Oh…Ratchet, did you want to come in with me?" Safire asked as she came back out.
"No…it's alright. You can buy whatever you'd like and take as long as you'd like. I'll just wait here."
Slag! Starscream cursed. That pitspawn of a medic is standing guard…How can I get her now? Safire and Ratchet were still very much unaware of Starscream. He just looked like a flyer walking around the city.