The rush of the hospital was a welcome type of chaos. The way people had to rush to get things done to save lives. The constant movement of patients and doctors as things were dealt with. Ratchet fit in perfectly among them, if only because of his ability to safely multitask. He was able to think logically at a much faster pace than the other doctors that worked with him. This was what Ratchet had been made for, helping others that were injured or sick. And, unlike Optimus, his temper had cooled from the situation with the humans since he had an actual job to do that he enjoyed, as well as more freedom than even Optimus had. It felt good to be back at what he did best.

"Doctor Hatchet?" a young brunette nurse called, distracting Ratchet from the chart in his hands. She was muffling the receiver of a phone with a hand and her expression was worried. "Phone call for you." He walked around the other side of the desk, giving her a slight smile when she gave up her seat for him. He took the phone from her, setting it between his head and shoulder as he picked the chart up again, looking it over as he talked.

"Dr. William Hatchet, how can I help you?"

"William!" Erin's voice cried in relief. A frown tugged at his mouth and his brow furrowed.

"Erin? What is it? What's wrong?"

"It's Timothy…" She practically whispered. A chill raced down Ratchet's spine and his eyes widened behind his glasses. He blindly reached for a sheet of paper and a pen, setting aside the chart.

"What happened?"

"He was shot."

"No…" Ratchet responded automatically. He scrawled out the details as Erin told him. She sounded frightened and confused, though Ratchet couldn't blame her. It was clear she was still so painfully unaware of what was going on. She couldn't understand without being told. He would have to get Ironhide to tell her that day. It couldn't wait.

A moment later he assured her he was on his way and hung up, looking to the young nurse who had politely been waiting and tending to paperwork nearby. He stood, taking the sheet of paper.

"Is everything alright?" she asked quietly. She tucked her pen behind her ear as she noticed his deeply trouble expression.

"No… a friend of mine was in an accident," the lie was bitter in his mouth as her expression became one of sympathy and concern. "I have to go."

"I understand. I'll let the other staff know, Doctor."

"Just call me William," he said as he tucked the paper into his pocket and passed her.

As soon as Ratchet had hung up, Erin had snapped her phone shut and shoved the small electronic in her pocket. She watched Bumblebee as he moved to work on the engine of the large pickup, the machine leaking a fluorescent blue liquid that Bumblebee was just coated in.

She stood helpless on the steps of Bumblebee's front door and watched the holoform try to keep Optimus from going offline. She didn't know this, seeing as she didn't understand why Bumblebee had been so focused on the vehicle and that she had to call Ratchet and not a hospital, but when the woman had pulled the trigger she was aiming to hit Optimus' spark and kill him.

Obviously, they had grown tired of trying to make him behave and keeping track of him, and were going for a more direct approach of dealing with him. He had become a threat too large to ignore, since it was a fact that if the Autobots were able to get back together, they would likely fight for their freedom.

Ironhide pulled up before Ratchet did, taking Bumblebee's place after making sure Erin was alright. The poor woman was shaken, but Will and Epps made sure to attempt to fill her in on the details slowly and gently, earning themselves looks of disbelief.

A few hours afterwards left them watching over her after she fainted when Ironhide showed her what they really were. He hadn't planned on showing her in such a way, but he hadn't really been given a choice. Once Erin was awake, and aware, she was quickly informed of which of her new friends were giant alien robots, and which were not. Ironhide had promised then that he would have to talk to her later about their relationship and where they stood on it. After all, he didn't want to lose her. She'd captured his heart over the time they'd gotten to know each other.

Ironhide had then joined Ratchet, working on his leader's engine to make sure the unconscious Autobot stayed alive. He could see the exhaustion setting in for the medic; the slump of his shoulders, his weary eyes, his faintly trembling hands.

"Ratchet, stop," Ironhide finally said firmly. He put a hand on his friend's shoulder gently and pulled the holoform away from Optimus.

"No I-I need to keep working..." Ratchet protested weakly. He hadn't gotten much recharge for the past week or two since he'd been busy. Unfortunately, he could feel it in every part of his achy frame.

"I'll keep working, but his spark's not goin' out, and you're too tired to focus."

"Ironhide-"

"He's right," a soft voice interrupted from the doorway, making both turn. Erin stepped into the room, a blanket around her shoulders and bags developing beneath her eyes. She dragged a hand across her face briefly and smothered a yawn. "You might be a... robot... but you should still get some rest..."

"Erin, I thought you were in bed," Ironhide said as he moved over to her. He wiped his hands on his pants before cupping her cheek gently. Her sapphire eyes fluttered closed and the tiredness smoothed from her features. A gentle smile touched her lips when she felt the warmth of a pair of lips against the skin of her forehead.

"I couldn't sleep." Erin replied honestly. She glanced at Ratchet. The medic's holoform flickered out of existence, and he sunk on his tires. He was quickly lost to recharge. Her attention was brought back to Ironhide when his hand settled on the small of her back and he started leading her inside.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay..."

"I'm fine."

"But what about those people out to hurt you guys? You could be killed..." Erin looked up at him with pleading eyes. His expression softened and he wrapped her in a hug.

"I promise. I'm fine, and I will be fine," he whispered. He rested his chin on her head gently as she clung to him, content to stay there just holding each other.

"I don't want to lose you..."

It struck him how fragile she was. He had once been in a relationship with Chromia, and it had been a different relationship completely from his current one. Chromia was a rough femme driven by the same things as him. She thrived under pressure and enjoyed violence as much as him. In many ways, they seemed better suited for each other than him and Erin. Sure, Erin was as playful as Chromia, but she was a gentler person by nature. She was caring, and sweet, and shied away from violence as much as he embraced it. He wanted to protect her as much as she wanted him to be safe. They were different, especially with him being an Autobot and her a human, but they knew they were perfect together just the way they were.

He led her without protest to the room they were set up in. They slept in each other's arms, safe and happy. They would deal with the situation after a good night's sleep.