It took another couple of days before Lily started to show signs of obvious improvement. Ratchet had congratulated her, but mentioned her not being out of any significant danger just yet.
"Your kidneys are still showing signs of abnormalities," he explained. "We'll need to continue monitoring it."
Lily was steadily being weaned off the medication stabilizing the swelling in her brain. Ratchet said that, for the most part, any sign of swelling had gone down significantly, but he was going to be taking precautions on how to take her off the meds. As for the heart medication, Ratchet wanted to keep her on it for a little while longer. Lily's heart wasn't as swollen compared to when she came in, but there were areas that had him concerned.
Thankfully, Lily had the company of Optimus, Bumblebee, and occasionally Lennox or Epps. While the two human soldiers rarely came by, when they did, which wasn't any longer than five minutes, they made sure she was comfortable and sometimes they spoke about their personal lives. Lennox talked about his wife, Sarah, and, rather proudly, of his daughter, Annabelle. Lily noticed how Lennox didn't go too deeply into his family, something Lily completely understood. They weren't quite comfortable with each other yet. As for Epps, in a way, he did the same tactic Lennox did—he spoke of his wife, Monique, and his children, though not in deep detail. But despite the two men keeping it brief, Lily noticed the glimmer of pride and happiness in their eyes when it came to their families. Lennox especially—Annabelle was his only child, his little girl. Lily could only assume just how ecstatic he was to be a father.
"Your parents must be pretty proud of you." Lennox had said that on his occasional visit, his arms crossed over his chest. Lily could see the exhaustion hidden in his eyes while he struggled to maintain his composure for the other soldiers.
"I don't live with my parents," Lily had responded. "Sam's my cousin, I live with him."
Lennox's brows had risen a little, looking at Lily curiously. "Don't you keep in contact with them?" he asked.
"I visit them when I can." Lily kept it vague, not really wanting to tell him or Epps or anyone else for that matter about her parents being dead. In the two years since their passing, whenever Lily had the misfortune of telling others of what happened to Francis and Rosalia Witwicky, she'd be bombarded with the same things she'd heard a thousand times before. Apologies, the same little pep-talks about strength—things that lost their value in Lily's opinion.
So, in the end, Lily just decided that she wouldn't mention it unless she was truly comfortable with the person.
As for her parents, she tried visiting their graves as often as she could; but since they had been buried in the next town over, Lily's hometown, sometimes it would take a lot of preparation for it—mentally, emotionally, and physically. Lily didn't always visit their graves, there were times where schedules wouldn't allow it or she just couldn't do it, even with Sam or his parents offering to go with her. There was something in Lily that always seemed to stop her from doing it. But Lily promised herself that the moment she was allowed to go off base, she'd visit their graves and pay them the proper respects.
-0-0-0-0-
"I don't really have a favorite color." Lily was spending her afternoon in the company of Optimus, who had generously kept the Holoform running for a good hour and a half. Lily always felt guilty whenever Optimus—or any of the Autobots for that matter—kept the Holoforms up for her benefit or anyone else's. Optimus said it didn't bother him, that he was only doing what he deemed necessary, but Lily still felt guilty. She could tell it took a lot of energy out of him, and she could tell that having to do it every day until a decision was made was making him and the other Autobots even more exhausted. But in that moment, with Lily still on the berth and Optimus' Holoform sitting beside her, Lily tried distracting herself.
In that moment, Lily and Optimus were having pointless little conversations, the current one being their favorite colors.
"Honestly, I'd have to say it depends on my mood." Lily looked at Optimus, shrugging her shoulders slightly. Lily could tell Optimus was taking in everything she was saying, that he was, in a way, trying to understand everything she was. It always made Lily feel a little warm inside, knowing he intently he was trying. "You look really tired, Optimus."
Optimus' shoulders sagged. Lily could tell the obvious exhaustion he tried hiding behind his authoritative posture. Before he could even get a word out, Lily interrupted him.
"Don't you dare say you're not tired, Optimus," she exclaimed, her eyes narrowing just a fraction. "Your health is just as important as anyone else's. What if another Decepticon attacks and you're too tired to fight it?"
With a sigh, Optimus nodded. "You're right," he said, sighing. "I...I just want to see for myself that your recovery is running smoothly."
Lily gave a small smile. "I know," she said softly. "Everyone here has been taking care of me and I don't know how I can repay any of you..."
"There's no need." Optimus shook his head, a firmness in his voice and his eyes. "Don't ever assume you need to repay us for anything."
The smile on Lily's face dimmed a little before it came back. "I don't want you guys thinking I'm taking you for granted."
Optimus' Holoform leaned forward in his seat, his elbows resting on his thighs. Lily could see an intensity in his eyes, and it made her stomach knot up—not like she was scared or concerned, but it was something else. "You've never once given an indication you have been taking us for granted," he rumbled. Lily swore Optimus' voice had dropped an octave; and it didn't help that his voice was distracting enough on its own. "What's going on now, at this moment, is not you taking us for granted. It's you getting the help and protection you need."
Lily looked at Optimus' face for a long moment. His expression was neutral, but she could see the burning intensity in his eyes. He'd demonstrated multiple times during her stay on base just how protective he could be, and it was something that made Lily's stomach jump a little (she wasn't feeling nauseas, as a heads up). Lily found Optimus' calm protectiveness, his composed thinking and planning, to be his most admirable traits. Sure, Lily had grown fond—if she were to be completely honest with herself, "fond" wasn't even the right word to describe how she felt about it—of Optimus' Holoform. Whoever designed it made the human version of the Prime look attractive. But she was trying not to focus on the outward appearance, Lily was trying to focus on everything she thought made Optimus such a good... person?
Giving her head a quick shake, Lily lowered her gaze.
Reaching over, Optimus grabbed one of Lily's hands, giving it a gentle squeeze. "I'll see you soon," he murmured. Giving her hand one last squeeze, Optimus dismissed the Holoform.
(A/N):
Sorry for taking so long to post this chapter (or a chapter in general). I just started school last week, and I've been trying to juggle that and homework and work, so... Anywho, I noticed a few of you already left a review on this chapter (even though it was the previous one reposted), but I was hoping that, once you were given the chance to read this one, you'd (hopefully) share your thoughts. Am I doing a good job with Lily's and Optimus' relationship so far? It's nothing much, but it's also the beginning of something.
Welp, I own absolutely nothing in the movie franchise. All I own are my characters and a need for another vacation.
I am so happy that this story has reached 100+ reviews, follows, and favorites! I didn't think the story would be any good. The idea had popped into my head and I just wanted to get it down before I forgot it. I'd like to thank everyone who's enjoyed this story so far—hopefully you guys will continue to read the story further down the road.
Let me know if there's anything I can improve on.
Many blessings,
Indigo Callahan
