Life Holds On
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers
Note: This is based on the Cybertron series and NOT on the Japanese Galaxy Force.
It's me again for the last time on this story. I'll probably not be able to stop myself from writing something else, but it will take a while as I'm busy writing a friend's birthday present. If anybody cares at all for whatever reason, I'll update my profile and keep you updated. Without further ado
Brace for impact
Who knew?
Who knew that they would be out in space for longer than two hours?
Who knew that Coby would still be able to fix their ship?
Who knew that Hot Shot's idea would work so well?
Who knew that the ship would hold even under the immense stress the waves put on it?
Who knew that they would make it back to Earth before the third hour had passed?
Who knew Jetfire would ever fly that fast, even to a place that was full of sick people, like the hospital was?
Who knew the sun could feel so cold, the likely victory so empty, the smiles so uncomforting?
Who knew that all the Autobots could fit into the parking lot right outside the ICU waiting room where Lori and Bud sat?
Who knew the two humans would cling to each other so tightly, they made marks on each other's skin?
Who knew the great leader Optimus Prime could ever feel that hopeless?
All he could do was stand, watch and wait like everyone else. Why couldn't he do any more? He wanted to stop Bud and Lori's tears, but he didn't know what to say to them. He wanted his team to get themselves fixed up, but he knew none of them would leave until they heard news about Coby, even though they, like him, could do nothing but watch and wait. And supposing even their star-riding burst hadn't been enough to get them back in time? Supposing Coby… He wouldn't say the word. He wouldn't.
His gaze swept over the Autobot team around him. Some were standing, others being supported and still others sitting. All of them were silent; even Hot Shot. No one knew what to say. He could almost feel their helplessness and pleading around him like a blanket. He turned once again to the two humans. Bud had stopped crying now, his eyes red and his cheeks stained. He had no tears left to cry, so instead he just held a still sobbing Lori. He wondered what would happen to Bud's family if Coby did…
//
Ten minutes. Ten minutes had passed since Jetfire had speeded him, Lori and his brother to the hospital. Ten minutes after the doctors had taken Coby away, telling Lori and Bud to wait. Almost eight minutes since the rest of the Autobots had arrived. No one had spoken. He was out of tears, though his shirt was soaked with Lori's. He didn't blame her for crying; hell, he still wanted to bawl. He just had no tears left to cry. His eyes were locked on the door Coby had disappeared behind. Exactly the same door he had been taken behind the day it had all started. In fact, him and Lori were sitting in exactly the same seats. He tried not to think about the last time he was here.
Fifteen minutes. Lori was quieting down in his arms, her body still shaking with the sobs. He knew she was thinking about it too; the last time they were there. It had felt like the end of the world not knowing if his brother would live or die. And now the same feeling was there, more imposing than the last time. This time, he feared they were too late. This time, he had watched his brother start to die for about forty five minutes before he was taken away. This time, he wouldn't be able to handle it if it was bad news.
Twenty minutes. Voices he knew were coming up the hallway, slightly hysterical. Three voices he hadn't heard together for so long… Not since the last time. Then he felt Lori stiffen beneath him as two more joined the fray. He knew those two voices too. He didn't turn his eyes away from the door as Lori's parents, Tim, his mother and his father rounded the corner. The hospital staff had called them, probably. He didn't care. He didn't even turn around when his mother started demanding hysterically why Coby was back in the hospital. He shut out the questions and the demands even as he heard Optimus take a step forward and offer to explain everything.
Twenty five minutes. His mother had began screaming again after five minutes of silence. She was obviously not taking it well that Coby had been seeing the Autobots behind her back. She seemed to like it less that he had been in space when the Autobots had had another huge fight, on a ship that could have exploded any minute. Then Lori's father interjected, yelling that it wasn't legal to kidnap his daughter away from him. From the gist of what he was saying Bud learned that he and his wife had come to visit Lori after feeling guilty for not contacting her for days. They had, of course, not found her where she had said she was. They had gone over to the Hansen house, putting a stop to the fight that was about to happen there between Tim and Mr Hansen and had explained their dilemma just before the phone rang to tell them all Coby was in the ICU. Again. Bud dimly heard Optimus trying to calm them.
Thirty minutes. Lori's mother had tried to take her away from where she sat but both of them had refused, clinging even tighter to each other. His mother had then tried to make him let go and hug away her tears instead, but again he had refused, still staring at the wretched door.
Forty minutes. His mother had finally given up and was now standing next to Tim and Lori's parents, crying. His father had been silent since they had learned what had happened and he guessed he was in a corner, trying not to be too visible. Primus knew how long he would get his wish to last.
Fifty minutes. The peace had finally been broken. Tim had snapped and flown at his father. The two had tussled for a while, Lori's father trying to break them up while the two women screamed. In the end it was Optimus, who had been silent and probably feeling very subdued since Mrs Hansen had started screaming at him, who broke the two apart. Luckily they were in a hospital so the tree men could get fixed up quickly and easily.
An hour. His hope had started to slip even more in the icy yet worried silence that separated the other two men in his family. Lori had completely stopped crying now, but they still clung to each other, trying to draw some condolence and hope from the other. It wasn't working and he was falling into despair.
An hour and fifteen minutes. His father had suddenly started crying. It was the weirdest thing to hear; the grown man in your life bawling and begging for forgiveness. His mother had taken him up in her arms, crying too. It would be a bit patchy for a while, but his parents were back together again. He felt no joy.
An hour and a half. Tim had now also forgiven his father, who was now downing coffee to get sober as quickly as possible. Remembering what Coby had told him, he felt sure his father wouldn't drink heavily for a long, long time to come, if ever again. It struck him that all the troubles had started the last time Coby was dying, and they had ended now that he was once again in the same condition. Once again he felt no joy, just worry and heartache.
Two hours. They had been sitting there for two hours. He hadn't uttered a word, neither had Lori. They had let go of each other a bit now. Hope was fading fast and depression was overtaking them both. Now he wanted to crawl away and die. Maybe then he and Coby would be able to be together anyway. He forced himself not to move. He continued to sit and watch the door.
Two and a half hours. The door finally opened and out stepped a nurse. Bud and Lori were both on their feet instantly. The grownups looked up, the Autobots all sat up but no one spoke. No one asked. No one really wanted to know. Then the words came out of the nurse's mouth. Words that made Lori and his mother burst into tears again. Words that made Lori's knees collapse from under her, forcing him to catch her. Words that made his insides disappear.
000
It was three days after Coby had been taken to the hospital. Bud was staring out of a window, not really seeing but deep in thought. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. Tim and his father were out together, trying to patch things up. He had a suspicion it would go very well, as things had already gotten so much better in the last few days; they had embraced the day before. It might take a bit more time, but things would be what they once were. For that, he was grateful. And then there was the relationship between his mother and father. The smile progressed further as he remembered the romantic evening the night before and the constant smiles they gave each other. His family was becoming whole again, slowly but surely. And Lori was having luck too; she had gotten her family to seriously consider moving back to Colorado and letting her have a normal life again, forgetting about the modeling. And all the Autobots were almost entirely fixed now, none of them suffering any lasting injuries. Taking note of all the good things around him, Bud knew Coby would have been truly happy.
Coby. The one who was the victim and the trigger of all the bad things that had happened to them before the Autobots came back and also the one who healed it again, after keeping it together throughout the time it all wanted to break. Bud sighed, some sadness puncturing his happy balloon. There was nothing he could do, he told himself again. Nothing. He just had to take it like it was given to him. It had been hard to accept it the first day, but after that the idea started to take root in his mind. He supposed everything could have been so much worse.
"I'm so sorry to interrupt, but I'm afraid your time is up."
The young girl who put her head around the door eyed him quite sadly. She didn't understand why the teen chose to spend all the time he was allowed to here. She thought it was healthier to do what his parents, brother and friend did. He would know at the same time they did when it happened. Bud ignored the look, nodded and stood up. He cast a look at the bed to his left, the smile now truly breaking on his face. Silently promising that he would be back as soon as visiting hours started again, he bade Coby farewell and left his sleeping brother behind and followed the nurse out of the ICU room.
000
"Two of spades?" Jetfire asked a little tiredly.
"Go fish," Hot Shot replied with a grin.
He had never beaten Jetfire in anything in his life before, and it felt really, really good, even if it was just a card game. He could get used to the victory feeling, he had realized after the first three games. They were now on their tenth game, and he had won every single one of them easily.
"You're joking! You must have the two of spades!"
"I don't. Go fish." Hot Shot was smirking now, not bothering to hide his glee.
The Autobots who were still watching sniggered, causing those who were not to look again, making Jetfire flustered as he reached for a card. The look on his face was very comical and informed everyone that he had not drawn the two of spades.
"Three of hearts?" Hot Shot said.
Jetfire cursed quietly, causing a chorus of oohs from those who had heard him. And he thought he saw Optimus giving him a raised eyebrow look. He didn't look around to see but handed the card to Hot Shot. The younger Autobot hollered in glee and threw down every single one of his cards.
"I win!" He sang happily.
Amidst the laughter Jetfire tried to splutter an excuse, but he found none and had to be content with scowling deeply.
"Want to try again, Jetty?" Hot Shot smirked assertively.
Jetfire was stopped from answering as the doors to the base flung open. All turned around to find Lori running in, her face flushed and her eyes sparkling. A shiver of hope ran through them: She must be there to tell them good news, hopefully that she was staying. But before anybody could ask, another figure entered after her, with the same look on his face. They all blinked in surprise: they hadn't seen half a sight of Bud since a week ago when Coby had been taken to the hospital. He spent as much time there as possible, and what time he couldn't he spent with his healing family. They didn't have to ask the good news, both blurted it out at once.
"Coby's awake!"
A roar echoed through the base as every Autobot told the rest just how happy they were with this news by cheering, throwing cards in the air, jumping up and down, running around, slugging others round the head or generally being crazy. Even Optimus wasn't half as reserved as he usually was, even though no one noticed.
"How's he doing?" Landmine called through the din and everyone quieted to hear the answer.
It came a bit later as both Lori and him were being hugged; Bud by Jolt and Lori by her 'big sister'.
"Well, as soon as he woke up he asked the cliché question 'Where am I?' and I'll admit he didn't sound too good. But after I'd told him and Lori had notified everybody else and we'd both hugged him, he grinned and asked if the ship had held and fired off a whole lot of questions about the wiring."
Everybody laughed, relived and happy beyond measure that he was apparently alright.
"Do you know when he's being released?"
"They want to keep him there for a couple more days, just to be extra sure but probably day after tomorrow, if he gets his way," Lori answered.
They could all imagine how quickly Coby wanted to get out of the hospital, especially if Lori and Bud being kicked out so his parents could be alone with him was any indication of how he was being treated. Hurt as he may be, he really couldn't stick being treated like a child. It was Optimus who asked the difficult question.
"And his illness…?"
Bud shook his head, looking noticeably sadder than before.
"They still can't cure it. It won't get any worse or anything, but it won't get any better either."
Stillness entered the room. They all felt sorry for Coby, who would now have to fight again for his maturity to be granted to him. Bud sensed this.
"But hey," he said with a grin. "We'll all help my mom let him live his life, right?"
Everyone agreed in unison.
000
The party was in full swing. The music, chosen obviously by Lori and Bud, bleared as loudly as they dared to put it, which considering that it was Hot Shot who had been put in charge of that area, was pretty loud indeed. Optimus had attempted to put it softer three times before, but it always just returned to its original volume without anybody noticeably changing it, so he had given up. He had also let his team completely relax and let go, which was something of a dream come true for Hot Shot, who generally fought against the strict rules most of the time. It bothered him a bit, him being the leader he was, but seeing Jetfire dancing like an idiot with Override in tow made up for it in many ways. It was also harder to try and enforce discipline when the base was almost unrecognizable under the decorations Lori had been in charge of. She had enjoyed telling them all what to do, and everybody had noticed it. Most had found it amusing, others, being those who she had started to chose to do many jobs, had thanked their lucky stars that she didn't have this power all the time.
And so the party continued, only missing a few guests. A table near the door was laden with food, some of it baked by Jolt. The humans hadn't touched it yet, however. They were too busy dancing, sometimes with one another other times with the Autobots, which was much fun if not very practical. Lori wore a red dress that reached down to her ankles with a slit up the right leg and spaghetti straps. He hair hung loose for once and it swung behind her every time she turned around. Bud wore jeans with a proper, green shirt, although he had refuse point blank to wear a tie, so the collar hung open. Nobody could tell by their smiles that only twelve days ago they had been crying their eyes out because someone close to them was dying. Professor Suzuki, wearing a pretty lavender dress that hung loose on her but still somewhat showed her suspiciously big stomach, was dancing with her daughter, who was very pretty and not in the least bit shy. Colonel Franklin, wearing a suit as usual, was standing in a corner, looking a little awkward but making happy conversation with Lori's parents and admiring the deck the Autobots had put on the base especially for the party. Lori's father was evidently itching to go outside and look at the stars, but his wife kept him in the conversation firmly. Then finally the last four guests arrived, to much cheering and stamping.
First Tim and his father had entered, alerting everyone to the group's arrival. Then Mrs Hansen followed, bringing with her the person the great welcome was for. Coby grinned widely at the welcome and made a showy bow, making everybody grin or laugh and Mrs Hansen scowl. He had been discharged from the hospital five days ago, but his mother had refused to let him out of the house until now, much to his distaste. And even now she was watching him like a hawk and refusing to leave his side. He chose to just ignore this as he went around and said hello to all of the Autobots, none of which he had seen properly since their battle had begun.
"Hell Coby, I take my hat off to you; those repairs you did were great! We had to do so little to repair it, even after the ride!" Red Alert was very enthusiastic as he shook Coby's hand with his pinky. It was obvious that his words just made Coby's night, as the boy's grin grew wider.
"Aw man, now we'll never hear the end of it!" Bud pouted, rolling his eyes and pretending to be upset.
Everybody except his mother laughed and Coby threatened to put him in a headlock for the rest of the night.
"Well, now that we're on the subject of congratulating Coby, I'll add my input." Optimus Prime said. "Jetfire and myself returned to the space warp the other day to find out what happened to our foes." He paused and looked into the dead silence before continuing with a smile. "Coby's plan worked brilliantly; not one survived."
There was another outbreak of cheering any Bud clapped his brother on the back. Now they were truly safe, and they remembered how it felt to be utterly happy and nothing else.
"However," Optimus continued, trying to make his tone stern. "Coby, you did lead the other two out of the safety of our ship and onto the enemy vessel without permission, outing all three of you in danger in many, many different ways."
Coby grinned sheepishly, then, suddenly realizing Optimus wasn't really and at him, he pointed to Lori.
"She made me; it was her idea."
Everybody cracked up laughing and Lori, much to the displeasure of Mrs Hansen, slapped Coby on the shoulder. The party then continued even louder than before, and it took half an hour for Lori to make her way to Coby who was forbidden to dance too wildly and suggest they escape for a while. He jumped at the chance gratefully and snuck away from his mother. Out on the deck he shut his eyes and sighed happily, relieved to get away.
"She means well," Lori said with a small smile.
"I know. I just hate it so much. I want to live like a normal person."
Lori smiled and looked up at the stars. They looked just as small as they had up in space. She was suddenly aware that Coby was watching her. She turned to him with a questioning look. He opened his mouth, then shut it again, searching for the words. He looked at his feet for inspiration, making his hair to fall in his eyes. He shook it out, lifting his head as he did so.
"When we were up there, I heard you… express your wish."
"My wish?" Lori looked blank.
"Yeah…that everything… would be exactly the way it was before… the accident."
"Oh that," Lori said, blushing at the knowledge that Coby had heard her breakdown.
"What I want to know is what your definition of 'exactly the same' is."
"Well," Lori said. "I want to go to my old school, live in my old house, be able to hang out with you, Bud and the Autobots that stay on Earth and…" she stopped herself from saying the last part. She hadn't even known she wished that, but as the idea entered her head, her heart panged for it. She swallowed. "What is your definition?" She asked a little flustered.
"Well, like it says, exactly the same. Same house, same school, same privileges and same relationships with your parents, Bud, the Autobots and…" He stopped and Lori saw that he had to gather courage to blurt out the next part. "And me."
She looked at him, and he looked back, both looking into each other's eyes, both remembering before. When she didn't answer, Coby looked away.
"Well, I mean, as much as it could be the same. I understand it can't be exact-"
He broke off, not out of embarrassment or disappointment but because Lori was telling him that she wanted things to be exactly, exactly the same as it had been before. He happily agreed with her, relishing the feel of her lips on his where she had placed them halfway through his sentence.
000
"Has anybody seen Coby?" Mrs Hansen's vice was bordering panic, making Bud sigh.
"Mom, chill. He probably went off to be alone."
"But what if something happens?! I need to find him now."
The Autobots hastened to try and calm her down, no one noticing Bud, who had caught sight of something and was now investigating it.
"I want to find my son! Besides, he'll want to know that Lori is staying here permanently again. Where is he?"
It was a grinning Bud who turned around and answered her.
"He's making Lori's wish come true."
"What are you talking about, Bud?" His mother barked.
Bud pointed out the huge doors to the deck.
"She wanted things exactly as they were before."
"Wha-?"
Everybody turned and Mrs Hansen shrieked slightly at the sight that greeted them. Lori had her arms wrapped around Coby's neck, and his arms were around her waist, holding her close. They were still kissing, though not wildly, and it was obvious they wanted to go nowhere from where they were right then.
Override started laughing happily, and the rest of the Autobots were smiling too.
"Bud, when the hell did that happen?" Mrs Hansen yelled, her eyes wide as she pointed to the two.
"The night before the Autobots left. And, in answer to the question that is sure to follow, they didn't officially break up. Lori was just relocated and so they were prevented from being together. As you can see, they didn't like it."
"Si… since the Autobots left?" Mrs Hansen said faintly.
Bud nodded and the people who hadn't known this fact all hollered happily. Tim laughed at his mother's and Lori's father's faces.
"Don't worry, you two. They're still young. It will be over in a few months."
"I dunno, Tim," Bud replied. "I think those two will end up married one day. That'll be cool: Lor will be family."
"Want to bet on it, little bro?" Tim said slyly. "I'll bet fifty."
"Sure thing," Bud said, shrugging in confidence.
A few years and five weeks later, Bud was suddenly fifty bucks richer.
And there it is: the end of my first fanfic. I'm actually very, very sad. Anywho, it got a happy ending as per usual and it was tons of fun to write. Like I said above, I'll keep you updated on my bio. Thanks to everyone who read this, I appreciate it sooo much. Until the next story I post, it's goodbye my friends. Feel free to PM or Email me with ideas or whatever or if you want to chat ^^.
xx WP