My chest was in so much pain that I couldn't even move. Everything was a blur for a long while, mostly white and intermediate burst of colour such as blue and green. In addition to the pain, I felt a crushing sensation of worry and impatience which flowed into me from an outside source and only after I had regained consciousness did I realise it was from Optimus, so the moment I could form a coherent sentence in my head I called out to him, wanting to let him know that I was alright. "Wow hey, hey, we got movement!" Somebody yelled as I turned my head and groaned. "Miss Clarkson? Miss Clarkson can you hear me?"
"Don't call me that." I answered groggily, lifting up my hands and blinking in confusion as I saw a tube feeding into me along with several wires which were attached to my skin. "Where am I?" Opening my eyes a little further as I adjusted to the light everything came rushing back to me. "Was I shot?!"
"Please calm down ma'am, help is on its way. You are in a place of safety so there is nothing to fear, just trust us to take care of you." This guy, who I presumed was from NEST because I could see the uniform, was doing his best to keep me from tugging at the wires and make me lie still as I twisted my head to look around me. We were in what looked like a hospital room, except one wall was entirely made of glass and although the blinds were drawn across I had this gut feeling which told me that on the other side of that glass were the Autobots. "Miss?"
"I'm fine, just a little…I don't know." Sighing I let myself relax against my pillows and closed my eyes for a few moments, playing through everything that had happened that night and tried to pick out any details that might help me find the guy who shot me because quite frankly, I'm pissed.
"I understand, you just lay there quietly until the doc gets here." The soldier, who had most likely been assigned to guard me, gave the news of my awakening to Lennox before waiting for the doctor to arrive. I was expecting a field paramedic however when a proper looking Asian doctor with greying hair tied neatly swept back walked inside, I frowned.
"Yes, it's all a little confusing but don't worry, it'll all make sense. My name is Doctor Jong and I have been in charge of your surgery and recovery since you were brought here." Jong explained to me slowly so that my fuzzy brain could keep pace. "Here being the Washington base of the human-Autobot alliance, also known as NEST. Your friend brought you here three nights ago and he was in quite a state. Fortunately the bullet missed all your vitals and all that was needed to remove it from your shoulder and staunch the bleeding." The doctor continued to go on explaining everything to me as was standard, however once he was done my mind was so frayed that I could barely think.
"I want to see Optimus, and Bumblebee, can I see them?" Doctor Jong spoke to my guard for a moment who then stepped out to make the request. Whilst that was going on I had to go through several tests though mostly it was just blood pressure and things like that. Apparently Director Mearing wanted to talk to me before I could see the Autobots, however I felt a strong wave of anger from Optimus as well as something crashing in the distance, making Jong jump slightly. "It's okay." I told him softly as I lay back, a small smile painting my lips. "That's just my daddy."
When the door opened and Mearing strode inside, she curtly nodded her head to the doctor but focused her gaze intently on me. "You look like crap." She told me bluntly and I struggled to contain a laugh because doing so hurt quite a bit and I for one was done with feeling any more pain. It sucked that morphine burned out of my body too quickly because of the energon, like, really sucked.
"You ever been shot before? See how you look after." I retorted. My quick witted jab earned a small smirk before she stepped closer, coming to the end of my bed and stood upright like a stiff board, holding her hands in front of her as a professional mask slipped across her face.
"Miss Clarkson I cannot apologise enough for what you have been through. You are lucky you were not more seriously injured or even killed. It seems that there are pockets of civilians who are protesting against the presence of transformers on our planet and…well. Some are more radical and extreme than others. I know it might be difficult and traumatic, however if you could tell us anything about the person who shot you then we would be grateful for your help."
"There wasn't anything distinctive about him, I remember thinking he was nothing more than your average Joe. White male, late thirties early forties maybe? It was dark and the light outside my apartment isn't great but I'd say he had dark hair, was about six foot two and wore a wool lined jerkin and a baseball cap, no distinguishing markings. I'm sorry Director Mearing, I really can't say much more about him. Even if he was in a line up I wouldn't be able to point him out." I said to her as someone wrote down my statement. I could tell she was disappointed but I added that he had actually talked to me before shooting me so if I ever heard his voice again, I'd definitely be able to place it so that was a small consolation.
I was made to walk through the entire scenario, recall every detail until they were satisfied and left me alone, and by that I mean Mearing chased them out. "You take it easy until you're better. I'm placing both you and Witwicky back under witness protection, however your friend made the request for non-invasive shadowing." Seeing my frown, Mearing explained. "He didn't want any obvious protection or bodyguards so he has agents with both him and that girlfriend of his incognito. Now there's only you to take care of, so for the time being you'll be staying here."
"What about work?" Mearing stopped when she reached the door, pulling it open but deigned to look back at me.
"You got fired yesterday morning. Sorry to break it to you, but your boss is a dick who didn't understand the fact you'd been shot. I almost punched the guy." Yeah, I know that feeling. "Don't worry, I won't leave you floundering. When you're up and on your feet, you can come work for me. I need a new assistant as my old one quit, I think you'll do just fine. You've got guts and a spine that doesn't break under pressure. I could use someone like you." Unable to answer I simply nodded my head, wincing in pain. Still remaining at the door, Mearing paused before she spoke again. "If you want to be cheered up, go look out the window." Leaving me frowning she left, posting two guards outside the door.
Curious by what she said I slowly sat myself up, carefully moving as not to accidentally open up anything. The doctor had already removed the drip and the wires to make me more comfortable, so after I managed to get up on my feet I walked over to the huge glass windows which swallowed the entire wall and reached for the blind controller, pushing the up button and waited as they rose upwards. Almost immediately I recognised the blue with red flames, noble gaze looking into the window and I felt relief flood through me.
Optimus stood at the window looking in and I wanted to break through the glass to reach him but I restrained myself. Instead I walked forwards and leaned my forehead against the glass, my hand reaching out towards him but being halted by this transparent barrier. "My little spark." His voice hummed with regret and remorse, days of gnawing worry and fear eating away at him from the inside slowly being quelled.
"I'm alright." I promised him, lifting my head to look at him and smile. "I'm going to be okay, Optimus."
"It is a good thing you cannot identify the human who did this to you." Optimus told me severely, his voice growing cold and filled with rage as his hand clenched into a fist against the glass where I listened to his slightly muffled voice. "Because if you did, then I would have hunted him down and made him pay for what he has done, human or not."
"There's no need for that. We can be more careful from now on, I'll be more careful."
"All the same. If anyone is to tamper with my sparkling, they shall feel my infinite wrath."
