Chapter 20
"Hot Rod!"
"I'm right next to you."
"I know…"
Hot Rod watched Rachel pace. He thought he was done with this once the others had returned from the carnival. She seemed more jumpy now. Her hands were ringing, turning red from the rubbing. Her hood was pulled up over her head low again. Her eyes were shadowed. Hot Rod sighed, knowing she was thinking deeply about what was going on. In her clamped hands was the third gem, the only one not in Decepticon possession. The pressure was stinging.
"Hot Rod, I don't know what to do," whispered Rachel.
"Don't worry so hard," offered Hot Rod.
"I can't help it!" shouted Rachel, spinning around to face him.
Her eyes were still shadowed over but Hot Rod could see the glittering tears forming. She was near break down. He smiled lightly, kneeling low. Turning on his radio, he played her favorite song. He knew methods of calming the ranging emotions of his human partner. She stopped pacing. Her feet must've burned holes in shoes by now.
"I'm just afraid," mumbled Rachel.
"We all are," answered Hot Rod.
"I'm worried more than the others," continued Rachel.
"As am I," nodded Hot Rod.
"You don't seem like it," sniffled Rachel.
"Its best to keep cool under pressure," smiled Hot Rod.
"I'm not!" sobbed Rachel, tears flowing. "I can't do this!"
How we became leader of a team is beyond my thought, considered Hot Rod but kept it to himself. He gave the frantic human a light tap on the back. She sniffled again, pulling her hood down only for it to slip back up. He looked up, hearing the faintest sound of footsteps. He stood up straight, motioning for Rachel to be silent. She covered her mouth, rubbing her eyes lightly.
"There you two are!" cheered Gus, entering with Liz, Arcee, and Optimus.
"We were just taking a breather," nodded Hot Rod.
"Yep," stifled Rachel, pulling her hood too low again.
"Everything alright?" asked Liz.
"I'm fine!" cheered Rachel, offering her best half smile. Hot Rod smiled at least.
"Alright then," shrugged Liz. "I've got better things to do.
"Driving?" Arcee asked.
"Yep," nodded Liz.
"Race?" snickered Gus.
"Fat chance," hissed Liz.
The three began to argue over what they were going to do now. Optimus looked down at them lightly but looked over at Hot Rod and Rachel. While Hot Rod made perfect eye contact, something still didn't feel right. Looking down at Rachel, she pulled her hood down again. Optimus looked back to the three. They argued frantically. With a sigh, Optimus returned to Rachel and Hot Rod.
"Where's Maria, Rachel?" Optimus asked.
The agreement stopped immediately. They perked, looking to Hot Rod and Rachel after a glance at Optimus. Rachel's half smile melted and her hood fell over her shadowed eyes. Hot Rod looked down at Rachel. He could see she was frightful. He groaned but sighed.
"She's not here, Prime," the Autobot nodded.
"Where is she?" Optimus repeated.
"Out and about," hummed Hot Rod.
"Where!" shouted Optimus.
"She's out making a deal with Ian!" shouted Rachel.
"She's what!" shouted Liz. "That idiot!"
"Sideswipe went with her?" nodded Optimus.
"Yes, sir," hummed Hot Rod.
"She is so going to get herself killed and worse give away the last gem!" hissed Liz. "Wonderful."
"She didn't take the gem," whispered Rachel, opening her hands.
The last gem glittered dully, almost seeming as unpleased as Rachel in this predicament. Liz snarled more, snatching the gem from Rachel's hand. Rachel immediately snatched it back, holding it close to her chest. Liz's face twisted into near hatred. Hot Rod stepped in before the mistress of disguise probably exploded. Arcee shook her head, agreeing in Hot Rod's interference. Optimus sighed, shaking her head.
"This is more problems than we needed," Optimus sighed.
"Now what?" growled Arcee, imitating Liz.
"We get her back right?" Gus whimpered.
"Yeah, add her to our rescue list," snapped Liz.
"Ironhide!" called Optimus.
Ironhide entered the room with Ratchet. Looking down, Ratchet gave Gus a curious look. Gus shrugged, looking back at the furious Liz and Arcee. Ironhide nodded to Optimus.
"What's up, Prime?" hummed Ironhide.
"Track Sideswipe's position," Optimus ordered.
"Wait, you can do?" gasped Liz, spinning around.
"Depends if Sideswipe keeps an open channel or not," Arcee answered.
"And if he doesn't go into a dampened zone," nodded Optimus, "So, Ironhide…"
"On it," chuckled Ironhide, leaving.
"Maybe we'll finally get our people back," groaned Liz, storming off.
"We should let her cool off right?" Gus hummed.
"Cool off?" Arcee laughed, walking off. "We'd be lucky if she turned into a simmer."
"Who knew she had a sense of humor," smiled Hot Rod.
"There's a first time for everyone," nodded Gus.