Chapter 57 – Awaiting Acceptance…
OC P.O.V
I felt myself rouse from recharge, feeling slightly groggy. I consulted my internal chronometer, one of the very cool things I was discovering about being a Transformer. It was mid-morning. /WOW – longest sleep in since I had touched the Allspark shard and undergone my ''change''/. I slowly stood up off my berth in the Med Bay and made my way out to the main room where I had thought to find Rachet, which I did - along with Prime. I started slightly as I did not expect to see him so soon, thinking he would still be deep in recharge after our late-night chat and his operation.
I nodded my helm towards them both as I walked into the room, ''Morning Rachet, morning Prime. I didn't expect to see you up so early Prime. Disobeying doctor's orders, are we? Let me know how that works out for you,'' I threw him a cheeky smile as I made to get some energon.
Rachet nodded at me and then cast Prime a ''I told you so'' glance. Prime ignored both my comment and Rachet's glare, simply giving a small cough before he and greeted me, 'Morning OC. I trust you recharged well?'' There was a shadow of concern in his tone.
I downed the energon cube, ''Eww.. that stuff is just so damn nasty, definitely one of the worst things about being a Transformer! Give me a cold Pepsi Max any day.'' I turned to face Prime. ''Ah yes, I did actually Prime, I crashed out. You?''
Prime shifted from pede to pede, ''Same, I too feel into a deep recharge''.
I smiled at him, ''Good, I'm glad to hear it, you certainly needed it.'' /Liar! I thought to myself/. Shifting from pede to pede like that was a tell I had come to know with Prime meant he was uncomfortable and about to say something difficult or not entirely true, something which did not happen often as Prime was very honest. It only made it easier to detect. I decided not to press him on the matter. He likely could not switch his processor off after all that had transpired, I didn't blame him.
''So,'' I clasped my servos together in anticipation. ''What's on the agenda for today? When do I get to see the others and when do I get to see what my new form can and can't do?'' I looked eagerly from Prime to Rachet.
Rachet spoke up then, ''Well the others are already waiting for you in the training hanger. As for your ''experimentation'' with your form, as I am sure Prime has told you, slow and steady OC. I am still learning how your gifts and this new form will meld together and the effect the one will have on the other.''
Prime spoke up, ''OC Rachet is right. As I said to you last night, take it easy, do not run before you walk.''
I cast Prime and Rachet a withering glare, ''Well just don't expect me to ''walk'' for too long you pair, I am itching to run.'' I sighed my exasperation. ''Anyway, I am going to head over and see the others, I have missed them and no doubt they are – curious - to see what has become of me.'' I paused a moment, ''exactly how much do they know about me and what has happened?''
Rachet stood up and walked over to me, ''They are aware you are not the same as you used to be and that you have gone through dramatic changes.''
I made a groaning noise and threw my servos in the air, ''Bloody Hell Rachet! They might think I have turned purple and grown a second head or something! You could have been a little more forthright on the details mate.'' I folded my arms across my chest.
Prime gave a low chuckle, ''interesting image OC.'' He began to walk towards the exit of the Med Bay, ''I shall accompany you and, Rachet, perhaps you had best come along too to explain any scientific aspects of the discussion.''
Rachet merely grunted and adopted a surly expression, ''Sure, it's not like I had anything to do here.''
''Aww Rachet, feeling the love.'' I walked over and quickly threw my arms about his shoulders giving him a hug. As expected, he bristled at the contact before resignation set in. ''I know you like me and that you really are just a big cuddly koala''. I couldn't help giving a little laugh at his expense. Prime watched us both with a little fascination and – was that jealousy? I couldn't be sure as his expression soon changed to one of impassivity.
Rachet sputtered, ''I am NOT a furry Australian Marsupial thank you and as to the notion of ''liking'' you, that is highly debatable. I'd like you a whole lot more if you saw fit to keeping your arms to yourself!'' Though he sounded irritated, I could hear the playful exasperation in his tone. This was how we operated, pardon the pun.
I quickly released my arms and stood back in mock surrender, ''Ok Rachet, I concede. No koalas here and arms,'' I lowered them by my sides, ''firmly by my sides.'' I smiled, ''Now, can we all go and see the others please?''
Rachet grumbled but walked towards the exit and Prime stood back and gestured for me to follow Rachet first. /A gentlebot/, I thought amusedly to myself as I walked past him and out of the Med Bay doors.
Flanked by Prime and Rachet, I felt the nerves and anticipation build as we covered the short distance to the training hanger quickly. /PLEASE, let them be okay with this, with me!/. I placed a servo on the Autobot sized pad by the door and quickly keyed in the code then stepped back to allow the other two to enter before me. It slid open and we all walked inside.
There, standing around the huge mat in the centre of the room stood the rest of my family; all the other Autobots, Lennox and Epps. My spark beat fast in excitement at seeing them again and in nervous anticipation. All optics and eyes turned to face the door as Prime and Rachet walked in first, effectively hiding me.
Jazz spoke up, ''Hey Optimus! Rachet! Where's OC at? I'm hanging out to see 'tha lil' lady!''
Ironhide noticed my figure hidden behind Prime and Rachet, '''Who is that with you?'' He craned his helm to get a better glimpse of the stranger. /Is he going to bust out his cannons?/, I thought to myself. At that, they all turned and began to try and peer around and behind Prime and Rachet. I closed my optics and swallowed in an old human habit. /Here it goes!/ I opened my optics and stepped out from between Prime and Rachet.
''Hey Jazz, everyone. It's me, OC,'' I waved a servo at them and then stood there nervously for a moment before squaring my shoulders and standing tall. This was my family. They would love me no matter what – I hoped!
