Chapter 11: Reaching Out
A/N: Hi everyone! Sorry I took so long. Don't have any excuses except that I lost my inspiration for awhile. But I'm back now! Before I go on I just want to say thank you so much to all who have taken the time to review! And a special thank you to Mrs. Knockout who was my one hundredth reviewer! I am so happy to see how this story has blossomed! And I just want to let everyone know, I. HATE. Fanfiction right now. First, I couldn't post this chapter, and then, when I could I had to fix all the mistakes that were made in the process! Ugh. So annoying. Anyways, reviews!
Minimus Prime: No I wish I was! Lol yum. Sorry for taking so long! Thank you so much!
Crissy-Fenix-Prime: So true. Thank you! Yes I'm not planning on finishing up this story anytime soon so there should be many more.
MissShelz: Haha I'm glad you think so!
IronstarGallifrey: Yes well here I am with a nice long chapter!
Fanmanbookman: Thanks so much! Alright I'll keep that in mind, but with all the stories I now have going on it might be once a week. :3
Vivian Hale: Thank you. :D
FORD B: Thanks!
Bee4ever: Yes he is, a big "not soft" teddy bear! Thank you, will do!
CatGirlFireflare: More is on the way! :DInvader Ivy: Yay! Lol.
Clarissalightwood5679: I'm so happy that it is! Sorry for taking so long but here's (a very, very late) chapter just for you! :3
Mrs. Knockout: Thanks so much my one hundredth reviewer. :D I still can't believe this story has gotten so popular!
Enjoy.
"Lissa? Lissa, wake up."
Lissa groaned as she subconsciously pushed away whoever was shaking her. She couldn't understand why anyone was trying to wake her up when all the wanted to do was sleep forever. Turning on her side she pulled the blanket more securely over her body to shield herself from the cause of the problem. Unfortunately the shaking started again, harder than the last time. Somewhere in the back of her mind she heard someone call her name.
"Lissa!"
Lissa's eyes shot open as she sat up quickly, flailing around a bit while taking in her surroundings. Her gaze immediately honed in on Sam, who was rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "What?" She snapped, still not understanding why in the hell he woke her up.
Sam flinched at her tone, suddenly becoming very interested in the white tiles on the floor. He could almost feel her annoyed gaze burning into his head. "Um…" He cleared his throat. "T-the doctor said you were free to go."
She narrowed her eyes at him, her voice coming out as a deadly whisper. "And why, does that have anything to do with you barging in here and waking me up at-" She glanced up at the wall clock. "ten o'clock in the morning?"
He swallowed thickly, struggling to come up with an answer. "Well, I just thought, you know, that you might want to-to leave?" He kept his eyes glued to the floor and tensed for her reaction.
Lissa was silent for a moment, all traces of sleep leaving her mind. She did want to go home, but more than that she just wanted to sleep. Growling in frustration she ran a hand through her ruffled-looking hair. She couldn't sleep now! Ever since she was a little kid it didn't matter how tired she was, once she was awake, there was no way she was going back to sleep.
Turning back towards Sam she regarded the poor man. Seeing how uncomfortable she was making him made her almost sorry for him. Almost. "Sam." She hissed menacingly. "Get. Out."
Said man looked up in surprise. "W-what?"
"Get out!" She screamed. "Get your sorry ass out of my room or so help me I'll have Hide' use his cannons on you!"
Sam didn't give her a second glance before running out of the room. "And tell Hide' to come here while you're out there!" She called out to his retreating form.
Slumping in her pillows once he was gone she glanced at the clock again. A string of curses that would've made any sailor proud leaving her mouth. Who got up at ten a.m.? For her, that was way to early, especially since she didn't sleep very well last night. Pain and nightmares don't make a very good mix.
Although she did have nightmares, she felt a strange sense of peace about them now. She knew they wouldn't be able to rule her life if she didn't let them. After waking up in a cold sweat at three a.m. she took a few deep breaths and told herself repeatedly that it was just a dream. A few minutes into her mantra she actually felt a lot better. Sure, she didn't get back to sleep until seven, but being able to calm herself down counted for something didn't it?
Just thinking about what she accomplished put a small smile on her face. She let out a little girlish giggle before tentatively getting out of bed. She groaned at the pain coursing through her body at the movement. Struggling to stand she let out a small sound of surprise when she felt two large hands under her arms helping her up. Once she felt she was stable she turned to face Ironhide. She noted that he looked a lot better than yesterday, the exhausted aura that surrounded him now completely gone.
"Hi." She murmured, cautiously putting a hand on his cheek.
"Morning Lissie." He rumbled, leaning into her touch. He could tell she didn't get much sleep the night before, what with the small black rings under her eyes. It made his spark hum in guilt for leaving her. But when he looked into her eyes he saw something different from the shadows he usually saw. There was a small tinge of something else there, what it was he didn't know. "How did you sleep?" He inquired calmly.
She faltered a little in her happy demeanor before grinning at him again. "Oh, fine I guess." Not wanting to stay on the topic for too long she quickly changed the subject. "So, did Sam tell you I'm free to go?"
He nodded, aware that she didn't want to talk about her night. "Yes, do you wish to leave now?"
"Yeah, let's get out of here. The nurse said I had to take my medicine before I was released so could you go get her?"
"Of course." He took the hand on his cheek and lightly kissed her knuckles before striding out of the room.
Lissa closed the door behind him and set to work getting her clothes from the drawer to change out of her hospital gown. It took a little more time since her movements were clumsy and stiff, and any wrong tilt of her body could send her into another wave of pain, but she finally managed to do it.
While she was putting her hair in a messy ponytail she heard a knock on the door. "Come in." She called out from the bathroom.
Ironhide and her personal nurse Heidi entered the room. Once Lissa saw her hair was decent enough she emerged from the bathroom clothed and ready to go. Heidi smirked when she took in the younger woman's appearance. The anxiousness to leave that emitted from Lissa was nothing new to the weathered nurse. Most people wanted to leave a hospital as soon as possible, after all, no one liked to be poked with needles did they?
Extracting an orange bottle from her pant's pocket Heidi handed it to Lissa. "Take two right now, and another two every six hours for the next seven days. It'll help ease the pain, but it might cause you to have a loss of appetite. Eat regularly as you usually do and you should be fine."
Lissa took the bottle of pills gratefully and popped two into her mouth. Heidi handed her a cup of water to chase them down. "Are you still in a lot of pain?" She asked once Lissa handed the cup back to her.
She shrugged, "Some, but only when I move certain ways. It's not as bad as it was."
"Do you want me to get a wheelchair for you?"
"No." Ironhide cut in. "I'll carry her, there is no need."
Lissa made a sound of protest. "But I can walk! I-"
A stern glance in her direction shut her up pretty quick. "You are injured Lissa. I am carrying you whether you like it or not."
Lissa crossed her arms indignantly over her chest and muttered under her breath. Ironhide nodded at the nurse and swiftly took Lissa up in his arms, careful not to jostle her too much. Once she was securely against his chest he left the room to find Sam and his parents. The whole walk there Lissa didn't utter a single word, and the silence worried him some. "Are you in any pain?"
She shook her head. "No not really. I'm fine Hide'."
Upon hearing her answer he turned his attention to the waiting room where Sam sat in a lone chair. Neither Ron or Judy were in the room at the time. Sam got up and came towards them once they came into view. Casting a nervous glance at Lissa he turned to address the Autobot cradling his cousin to his chest. "So, she's ready to go?"
"Yes. I will be taking her with me. We will meet you back at you home shortly."
"Okay, my parents already went back to get some food. So I guess I'll see you guys later."
As Sam turned to leaved a female voice from behind stopped him. "Wait!" He swiveled around to face a guilty looking Lissa. "I'm really sorry about snapping at you earlier, I was tired, but I know I shouldn't have. Sorry Sammy."
He chuckled and rolled his eyes. Typical Lissa, apologizing even if he thought he was the one in the wrong. Reaching out he ruffled her hair affectionately. "Aw it's alright Liss, I don't blame you. You're just a hormonal teenage girl after all." He sighed and shook his head. "You just can't control these things."
Lissa shrieked and socked him lightly on the arm. "You jerk! Fine! I take back my apology! And I'll have you know it was pretty damn funny seeing you run out of my room with your tail between your legs after I scared the shit out of you!"
"Sam doesn't have a tail?" Ironhide put in, a little confused.
She laughed and patted him on the chest. "It's just a figure of speech we humans use Hide'."
Sam huffed and debated whether or not he should pull her ponytail out. What she said really hurt his ego. Besides, he hadn't left the room like that… had he?
Acting unfazed by her taunts he picked up his backpack from the ground and muttered something about seeing them later before exiting the hospital. He decided against pulling her hair out.
Hide' soon followed the man's lead, Lissa snickering in his arms. Smiling a little at the sound he looked down at her. "What's so funny?"
"Sam. I think I really did scare the shit out of him."
He chuckled and opened the driver's side door of the Topkick to set her inside. Glancing around to make sure there weren't any humans nearby he disappeared in a flurry of sparks. Soon, the engine was heard and the truck swerved out of the parking lot. Lissa got comfortable in the leather seat and rolled the windows down. Lost in thought she squealed when she felt the seat belt wrap around her.
"Safety first."
Lissa rolled her eyes. "Why do I need a seatbelt when I'm riding with you?"
The seatbelt squeezing her tighter was his only response. Taking that as her que to be quiet she leaned her head against the back of the seat and closed her eyes. Last night's lack of sleep was finally catching up with her.
Ironhide felt her tense form relax and heard her breathing soften. Looking at her through his rear-view mirror he saw her head was bent at an odd angle. Knowing she might have an uncomfortable ache in her neck if she slept like that, he gently retracted the seatbelt and let her sprawl out on the bench seat. She got comfortable and stared at the dashboard with half lidded eyes. The radio crackled to life. "I'm sorry Lissie, I didn't mean to wake you."
She yawned and stretched. "It's fine Hide'. Can you take me somewhere quiet? I need to talk to you about something."
Curious as to what could be on her mind he easily complied. "I know of a place."
Fifteen minutes later he cut the engine and allowed a half conscious Lissa to climb out. Taking in her surroundings she became wide eyed at the sight. "Woah." She murmured. It was a beautiful outlook. The sun made the ocean below glitter, and a soft breeze rustling the grass at her feet tickled her legs. Ironhide's holoform came to stand beside her, taking in the scene before him. It was all just as he remembered it. Except this time, he was sharing it with a little broken human who had inched her way into his war hardened heart. Yes, in the short time he had known her she had become a friend to him. But as soon as the word 'friend' came to mind he realized that didn't describe what Lissa was to him. Actually, the more he thought about it he didn't know what she was to him. Sure, he knew he was attracted to her in his own way, but he also knew they were nowhere close to being Sparkmates. 'She's in a category that is all her own.' He mused to himself, and as he glanced at her in the corner of his eye, he was sure of it.
Lissa, oblivious to the Autobot's thoughts was entranced by the beauty of it all. So much so that she almost forgot why she had him bring her here in the first place. Shaking her head to clear her mind she figured now was a good a time as any to tell him what she wanted to do, but she didn't know where to start. Clearing her throat to get his attention she tried to come up with the words to describe it all to him. "Um, there's-there's something I need your help with."
He arched an eyebrow. "What is it?"
She shuffled a little before a look of determination crossed her features. Staring at him dead on she answered. "I want to get better."
She watched as his eyes widened, shock shown brightly in his blue irises. He was not expecting her to say that. It made him wonder what exactly transpired to change her mind. Just a few days ago he was comforting a broken girl who had no hope. Now he was looking into the eyes of a woman with a fierce determination lining her features that he'd never seen from her before. Suddenly the morning's events came rushing back to him. The difference he saw in her eyes, he knew what it was now.
It was hope.
A ghost of a smile graced the mech's lips. Even he could barely believe just how happy her words made him. He knew deep in his spark that he wanted to help her, so whatever she needed from him, he would give.
He crossed the space between them to stand right in front of her. His vibrant eyes boring into hers as he took her hand. Words full of sincerity he murmured. "Whatever you need Lissa, I am here."
Tears welled up in Lissa's eyes. She knew he was speaking the truth, and just the thought of someone truly going to be there for her almost made her cry. Not knowing how else to show how grateful she really was, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. Soon she felt his own arms hesitantly snake around her waist, holding her flush against him. Lissa rested her head on his chest and sighed, he voice barely coming out as a whisper. "Thank you."
He laid his chin on top of her head and closed his eyes. "You're welcome."
They stayed like that for a long time, just holding each other. Many thoughts went through Ironhide's processor at the time, but one stood out from all the rest. This girl, was truly special.
A loud yawn interrupted his thoughts. Opening his eyes he looked down at Lissa and saw just how tired she was. Coming to a decision he carefully picked her up in his arms and carried her back to his alt form. Too exhausted to protest she let him lay her down on the seat and incoherently recalled the vehicle start to move underneath her. After that, she quickly succumbed to slumber.
Ironhide drove as smoothly as he could so he wouldn't jostle the sleeping girl. Although he highly doubted much could wake her, she was pretty much dead to the world at this point.
While he drove he watched her sleep. It almost felt as if his processor was split two ways like when he was in his holoform, part of his conscious staying aware of the road. She always seemed a bit more peaceful when she was asleep-unless she was having a nightmare-all of the lines and creases marring her pretty face all but disappeared except her scar. He found again how much he liked watching her sleep. The motion of her body moving up and down each time she took in a breath was almost soothing. So engrossed in his thoughts and watching her that it slightly disturbed him when he realized they were pulling up that familiar drive, where had the time gone?
Lissa groaned inwardly at the movement of someone picking her up. Why couldn't everyone just leave her alone for once?
Her irritation turned to relief when the arms of the person carrying her found a suitable position for her against their chest and ceased turning her over in their arms. Vaguely she wondered who's arms they were. Her first thought was Sam, and if it was that jerk had a lot of nerve.
Oddly, her half conscious state of mind dismissed the thought as soon as it came. Some part of her knew this wasn't Sam. They were too bulky and well muscled. Sam was, well scrawny. She also knew that this person was familiar, as if she'd been in their arms a million times before, but she couldn't remember who it was. Setting her face into a scowl she cursed herself mentally. Why was she wasting all this time wondering who it was when she could be sleeping? True, said person had woken her up, partially, but that didn't mean she had to sit here thinking about it. Another part of her mind asked herself why she wouldn't just open her eyes. 'Duh' She thought dumbly and eased her eyes open as the person laid her gently on her bed.
"Hide'." She breathed, feeling so much better now that she knew he was the one here with her.
Ironhide, startled upon hearing his name looked up to meet the eyes of the sleepy girl. He granted her a small smile before tucking her under her blankets. Up close, he could see how fragile she really was. He watched her body move and imagined her having porcelain bones and paper skin, which wasn't so far from the truth. Any wrong move and he could easily break her, and as the realization dawned on him he found himself being a little more cautious as to how he handled her.
Lissa, oblivious to his musings was already asleep again. She had calmed radically under his touch, and he found himself a little pleased that he was the one who invoked that reaction from her. She sighed in her sleep, turning onto her side and snuggled deeper into her pillow. Ironhide couldn't help but chuckle endearingly, slowly moving his hand to brush a few loose strands of hair out of her face. He wondered if she was dreaming, and if she was what about.
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts he suddenly straightened and headed for the door. His job was done, and he had no reason to stay. "Might as well go check in with Prime." He muttered to himself, a little weary as to what news his commander would bring. But, being the hardened warrior he was, he would tackle in head on as he did most things. Besides, things couldn't be too bad, right?
