Hey! Sorry guys, I've been away from the computer for a while. Itchy fingers now. I'm so glad that so many of you are reading and enjoying this story! It's great!

Disclaimer: you should all know the score by now. I don't own. (Boo hoo) Only Lyn and her team belong to me. If you want to borrow them, feel free. Just let me know and I'll try to pull Lyn from Ratchet (or the other way round).

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Lyn couldn't stop fidgeting as Ratchet drove to their destination. She could tell them! No more lying to her teammates. But how was she going to tell them? And would they believe her?

"What's the matter, Lyn?" The paramedic jumped, startled from her reverie.

"Oh, sorry Ratch. Just...thinking." he chuckled, causing vibrations to ripple through his frame.

"What is it you humans say? Oh yes. Penny for your thoughts?" She sighed.

"I guess you could say I'm getting a case of cold feet." Ratchet was silent for a moment.

"The internal temperature is at the right level, Lyn. Your feet shouldn't be cold." Lyn laughed.

"No Ratch, I don't mean physically! It's just an expression. It means I'm worried."

"Then why didn't you just say that? You humans and your expressions. I don't think I'll ever get used to them." She smiled, patting the soft leather of the seat. She felt him shiver slightly.

"Don't worry, Ratch. You will." She sighed as they fell into silence once again.

"So, what are you worried about?"

"Hm? Oh, just...I'm not sure how to tell the guys. I mean, it's not something that I can just drop into conversation." She pretended to talk to them. "'Oh, hey Shannon, Jack. How was last night? Yeah mine was good. Oh by the way, my friends are giant robots from another planet.' It's not like talking about the weather."

"I see. You are worried that they won't believe you?"

"Well, put it this way. After the whole cover-up of the last 'events', I hardly think they will. And you can't exactly transform in the middle of the Hospital car park without attracting unwanted attention." The CMO hummed.

"You're right. We'll find a way round it, Lyn. Just so long as nothing major happens today." She snorted.

"Famous last words."

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The journey was too short for Lyn's liking. As they pulled up into the ambulance bay of MCH, she instantly recognised the tall figure of Jack stood next to the shorter frame of Shannon. Ratchet activated his holoform the moment he sensed them. Pulling to a stop, Lyn jumped down. Her heart was hammering against her chest as she began to make her way towards them. 'Why did I agree to this?' She smiled and walked over to them as Ratchet 'checked' his equipment.

"Hey guys!" she called.

"Hey Lyn!" Shannon beamed as the paramedic stopped in front of them.

"How's it hanging lil' lady?"

"I'm good, guys. Listen to me. There's something we need to discuss. But not yet." She held up her hand, stopping their response. "This is something that we need to talk about after shift. It's not exactly something I can tell you right now. It'll cause too much trouble."

"Trouble? What could cause trouble?" Jack turned to her, cocking an eyebrow. "What's the matter, Lynx?"

"I can't say at the moment."

"Lyn, we've worked with you for a year now, you know you can tell us anything, the same as we can with you. That's why we work so well. We're a team. So what is it that you can't tell us?" The mousy haired woman folded her arms.

"Later, guys. I promise." She checked her watch, deciding to change the subject. "We have five minutes before we're officially on shift, and I personally want a good strong cup of coffee." They smiled and followed her inside, but not before Ratchet joined their group.

"Ratch my man! How are you?" Jack slapped him jovially on the bicep.

"Not too bad, Jack. Yourself?"

"I'm good." He looked at the ambulance and whistled. "Wow, who ever repaired your Hummer must be an expert. It looks good as new. Next time you see him, give him my number." Ratchet smiled and nodded.

"C'mon, people! what are we hanging around for? You know what Dyl's like if we're not clocked in on time."

"Speak for yourself lil' lady. Shan and I are already on the books!" Jack laughed. There was something about his laugh that was deeply infectious and caused everyone to smile. Ratchet nodded, falling in next to Lyn as they stepped through the doors of the hospital. The CMO leaned in and spoke softly to her.

"Have you sorted something out?"

"I'm going to tell them after shift. At least then we won't have any problems to discuss over a casualty."

"Good idea." They both looked up at the smiling faces of Lyn's teammates.

"Oh hey, don't mind us," Shannon grinned.

"Yeah guys. Not like we're on shift in, oh I dunno, three minutes."

"Ah, go on, off with ya!" she shooed them away. "Oh Shannon, thanks for volunteering. No milk and one sugar, please." The Paramedic smiled sweetly as the younger woman shook her head, pulling the grinning tall technician along with her, but not before he called to the medic.

"Yo, Ratchet! want one?"

"Not for me thanks." They smiled as Shannon tugged him along behind her. Things seemed to be getting back to normal between her team, well, for now at least. It still begged the question of how she was going to tell them.

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Things were going slowly. A couple of accidents had warranted their attention, but other than that it was quiet. Perhaps a little too quiet. Something seemed to be bothering Ratchet. Every time Lyn, Jack or Shannon saw him, he seemed to be distant. Of course, Lyn knew better than they did. He was in contact with the base.

"Ratchet? What's going on?" she asked the moment she had chance.

"Something's not right, Lyn. Optimus has informed me that Bumblebee has spotted Starscream flying around nearby. But he hasn't done anything. I don't like it." Lyn hummed. What was he up to? "Prime's sent a small team to Mission City, just in case."

"Comprising of who?"

"The Twins, Hot Rod, Prowl and Ironhide."

"He's expecting something to happen then?"

"With the Decepticons, you can never be too sure." She nodded in the affirmative.

"C'mon, let's go and see where those two have gone." He grinned and caught her by her waist, causing her to yelp in surprise. "Ratchet! C'mon, let go." He hugged her to him.

"But we're all alone and there's no one around." His voice was annoyingly whiny. Lyn playfully elbowed him.

"I don't care. We're on shift. Not while we're on shift. Do you want to me to get fired?" He let her go, looking downcast. She giggled. It had only been a short time, but she felt she knew him completely. His eyes/optics were so very expressive.

"Not right now, handsome." She stroked his cheek affectionately. He smiled, leaning into the touch.

"Alright. Did you just call me handsome?" Lyn laughed and rolled her eyes.

"C'mon, before your ego gets as big as Sunny's."

"Oh, that could never happen." She laughed again.

"True, very true."

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Upon stepping into the waiting room, Lyn was almost barrelled over by a very nervous, borderline hysterical Shannon.

"Lyn! Ratchet! You've got to come! Quick!" Shannon grabbed Lyn by the wrist and pulled her into a run. Ratchet followed behind.

"Shannon! What's the matter?" The younger woman pulled her outside. Jack met them, his soft brown eyes now gleaming with unspoken terror. The same terror she had seen in his eyes on that fateful day. He pointed towards the end of the street. Ratchet and Lyn turned as one.

"Oh no!" People were running down the opposite way, many screaming, scrambling away from the giant silver monster that was tearing his way towards the hospital, destroying buildings and swiping at everyone. Starscream. Doctor's, nurses, porters and other members of MCH staff had ran outside, calling for stretchers and medical kits as they ran to help the injured. it looked like a war zone. A well-known shiver ran down her spine. Not here, so close to the hospital. Too many innocent lives resided in the hospital. pulling herself together, she turned to her team.

"Shannon, Jack, help them with the wounded. Get them into the hospital and get them treated. What are you waiting for!? Go!" They nodded and ran. Lyn turned to Ratchet.

"What are we going to do?"

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Uh-oh!

Sorry it's not the best chapter. This seemed like a good place to leave it for now. Hope you enjoyed it! You know the drill. Constructive criticism is welcome. Flames aren't liked here. (Apart from Optimus', they're good.)