All I want is to fly with you
All I want is to fall with you
So just give me all of you
It feels impossible
It's not impossible
Is it impossible?
Say that it's possible

Chapter 109 – Take two of these and call me in the morning

Rachet P.O.V

Peace. Darkness and peace. So, this is what it is like to be dead? /Could be worse/.

''Rachet?'' a voice so familiar and so dear greeted my audials.

/No. It can't be! What is she doing here too? Oh no, she didn't…/ I felt myself, or rather what must have passed as my conscience, tense in worry.

''Rachet! Wake up! You're pretty enough as it is, no more beauty sleep'', the same voice teased me with gentle laughter.

/What the? Am I dreaming?/. I began to try and move towards that voice. My optics, I tried to open them. /But I am dead, how can I?/. Slowly I tried to lift the veil of darkness.

So bright. The light assaulting my optics was almost painful. Once again that voice lured me, like a siren's call but instead of leading me to my doom it was towards life and light. ''That's it Rachet! Come on, you can do it!'' She sounded happy, excited. I shuttered my optics to try and adjust to the brightness and sensation after what seemed forever in darkness. After a moment, my optics were wide open. I blinked.

There she was staring down at me, the biggest smile on her dermas I had seen in years. /Phoenix!/.

''Ph… Phoenix! Where.. where am I? Am I dead? Did you… did you die too?'' My voice, normally confident and sure, sounded confused and uncertain.

She laughed out loud, and instead of feeling irritation for any sense of insolence I would have normally felt, I only felt happiness and gratitude that she was with me in some capacity. ''No Rachet, I did not die. You, on the other hand – you almost did. You gave us quite the scare mate. Don't EVER do it again okay?'' A shadow of sadness and fear briefly flickered across her features before her gentle smile returned.

I blinked at her, ''So… I am not dead then?'' I started to try and sit up, but felt a large, firm servo on my chest impeding my efforts. I tried to turn my helm to locate the owner of the offending appendage.

The face of my dear old friend Hound loomed into sight and his deep, gravelly voice addressed me, ''Rachet! Glad to see you're awake, but I wouldn't try to sit up just yet if I were you. You've been through quite the ordeal. If it hadn't been for Phoenix here,'' he nodded in her direction, ''you wouldn't be alive.''

Phoenix pipped up, ''And your expert medical skills Hound, don't forget that!'' She smiled again at us both.

Hound made a small ''humph'' noise and spoke around the cigar in his mouth, ''Yeah, I guess there is that too.'' He removed his servo off my chest and stood back a bit.

I laid there for a moment processing all they said. A brief flash of explosions and Lockdown's optics burning into me, of being held in Phoenix's arms, flying high above the ground, a stab of phantom pain tore through me and I felt myself flinch in memory. ''I remember what happened.'' My voice was low and flat. Phoenix reached out to gently place a reassuring servo on my shoulder.

''It's okay Rachet, you're okay. You're safe,'' she squeezed my shoulder. ''I won't let those bastards near you again,'' her voice had a cold, hard edge to it.

I felt some of my fear dissipate and I gave her a small smile. ''I'll hold you to that Phoenix. If I never see that Savoy character and Lockdown again it will be too soon,'' I knew I could trust Phoenix with my life.

Phoenix all but growled, ''If I ever see that Savoy character again, my face will be the last thing he sees,'' she took on a look of steely determination, ''and as for Lockdown, if he so much as touches Optimus Prime..'' I could sense Phoenix's spark pulse rising, her air vents cycling air rapidly as her systems kicked in to try and cool her down. It was clear she was agitated.

''You DO know who Lockdown is don't you?'' Phoenix turned her helm quickly towards Hound and the sound of his condescending voice, her optics shuttering rapidly. ''he is one the most feared bounty hunters known. If he has you in his sites..''

Phoenix folded her arms across her chest and slightly tilted her helm back, eyeing Hound challengingly, ''You aren't afraid of him are you Hound? Cause it sounds like you are.''

Hound stood up to his full height and slightly squinted his optics, one of his servos alighting on a grenade attached to a belt on his medical kit. ''I'm not afraid of anything Phoenix. I'm just not arrogant enough to underestimate an enemy,'' he bit down on his cigar.

I tried to sit up again, sensing the mounting tension, ''Phoenix, Hound! Enough,'' both sets of optics were reluctantly torn away from a silent battle of wills to look at me. ''Phoenix, I would advise you to show respect to Hound as he has millennia of experience and is about as brave as they come,'' Hound seemed to throw Phoenix a superior glance. ''And Hound,'' I turned to face my old friend, ''you would do well to understand that Phoenix has already taken on Lockdown when she saved me and was able to subdue him twice - without any injury to herself.'' Hound's haughty grin faded instantly.

Phoenix did not grin triumphantly at Hound but rather she ex-vented loudly and shuttered her optics before holding out her servo. ''Look Hound, I apologise for my words just now. They were uncalled for and despite appearances, I do respect you and I shall take on board your warning regarding Lockdown.'' I felt a smile spread on my dermas. /Prime would be proud of her/.

Hound stared at the proffered servo for a moment as if considering his options. After a moment longer he grabbed her servo and pumped it vigorously twice, ''No harm done Phoenix. Likewise. If what ol' Hatchet says is true, seems you have a right to be arrogant.'' He released her servo and gave her a grin.

''Never been accused of that before Hound,'' she winked at him.

I felt myself relax a little at the change in mood. During Phoenix and Hound's exchange I had managed to sit myself upright without their noticing. ''So,'' I looked at Hound, ''I guess I'll be discharging myself now. I feel much better thank you both for your help.'' I made to stand up.

Two sets of servos shot out towards me in an effort to impede my progress. ''Woah Rachet! Take it easy. You need to rest up for a little bit longer,'' Phoenix's voice held concern. I felt myself furrow my brow at her in irritation.

''She's right Doc. While I know you ain't the one used to lyin' down and recuperatin', you need to take it easy for a day or two to fully recover,'' Hound crossed his arms over his chest and a mischievous look appeared in his optics as he chewed on his cigar. ''Or do I have to start throwin' wrenches at you?''

Phoenix let out a laugh before a servo flew to cover her dermas at the baleful stare I sent her. ''I'd like to see you try Hound,'' I ground out.

I began to slowly get to my pedes, casting a withering glance at both of them. I stood for a moment, allowing myself to gain my balance and adjust to being upright once again. I did feel a bit tender and perhaps should have taken their advice, but there was too much to do. Optimus was missing, possibly mortally wounded, my friends were scattered to the corners of the country or the wo rld without any real leadership and Lockdown and Cemetery Wind were ruthlessly hunting us. After a beat I replied to them both with as much confidence as I could muster, ''See perfectly fine! I feel great.'' I turned to to face Hound. ''Anything else Doc?'' I raised an optic ridge at him teasingly.

Hound made a grunting noise before replying in a deadpan voice, ''Yeah. Take two of these and see me in the morning.'' At this he raised both his servos and extended the middle digits towards me.

Phoenix erupted into fresh peals of laughter at Hound's comment and rude gesture though this time she did nothing to abate it. Hound had turned on his pedes and stalked off towards the exit of the hanger. I stood there somewhat shocked by Hound's out right rudeness, fighting the rising anger at his insolence. I cast Phoenix a withering stare though she brushed it off.

''Oh Rachet! You gotta admit, that was pretty funny and, you did kind a earn it after all Hound went through to save you.'' Phoenix's shoulders were still shaking slightly from her efforts. She ignored my look of indignation and placed a servo on my shoulder, sighing softly. ''It's good to have you back Rachet, so very good.''

I made a ''humph'' noise and shook her servo off. ''Could have fooled me,'' I muttered, folding my arms across my chest. /Then again, perhaps she is right?/, the thought teased, dampening my ire somewhat. I sighed out loud, releasing the simmering anger and all thoughts of wrenches from my processor.

I looked at Phoenix who was smiling fondly at me. I allowed a small, reluctant smile to spread across my faceplates before I unfolded my arms and placed a servo on her shoulder. ''It's good to be back Phoenix. More importantly, it's good to see you again. I've missed you.'' It was true. I had missed my friend desperately. When I was attacked, I had thought I would never see her again. Never see any of my friends again. I shook my helm slowly. I had been given a second chance. I wasn't going to spend it acting like a petulant sparkling.

Phoenix placed her servo over mine and squeezed gently, ''Likewise Rachet, likewise.'' Her optics shone brightly with emotion.

I nodded once and patted her shoulder before removing my servo. ''So, does this mean you will be staying with us now?'' though I tried to keep my tone even, I could not help allowing some hope to creep in.

Phoenix sighed out loud as she started to walk off in the direction Hound had left, indicating I should follow. I slowly and gingerly did so. ''Well, I am certainly not leaving until Savoy and Lockdown are dealt with,'' her voice once again took on a hard edge to it, ''with Prime injured, unaccounted for and those two bastards hunting for him, not to mention our family scattered to the corners of the country and beyond, I cannot in good conscience just walk away.''

Phoenix made a sound like a groan and her shoulder struts slumped slightly, as if the choice to remain here weighed her down. ''Even if part of me wants to, it is not the right thing to do. If I am indeed some sort of a Prime, then I need to face my problems head on and stop running from them. Stop putting my needs before the needs of everyone else.'' She did not look at me, just stared straight ahead. Her voice had lost its hard edge and a quiet determination rang in them.

I felt myself smile at her words for two reasons. I was glad my friend would not be leaving anytime soon, and I was proud of her selflessness. /Prime would be proud. I was proud of her/. Though she had a very long way to go and so very much to learn, Phoenix had just proven she was worthy of the title. I chose that moment to reply to her. ''Well, I for one am glad you have come to that realisation Phoenix.''

She gave a small laugh, ''Yeah, until I do something to annoy you. Then you'll be wishing I was back on my frozen rock!'' She turned towards me slightly to flash a teasing smile in my direction.

I gave a small grunt, partly from the exertion of walking again after my ordeal and partly as a warning, ''Then don't do anything to annoy me.''

Phoenix did laugh out loud then, ''Well where's the fun in that Rachet?'' her tone had changed, and I could hear the mirth in her voice.

''Whiplash. You could give someone whiplash with the speed in which your mood changes direction!'' While there was exasperation in my tone, inwardly I was laughing. I had missed this banter between us. It was in moments like this it became apparent to me just how much life had changed for us all.

We had reached the entrance to the cavernous assembly area. Phoenix just laughed at my comment, placed her servos on her hips and shook her helm, ''I'm a femme Rachet. It's my prerogative to change my mind without warning.'' I came to a stop beside her.

For a moment we stood there in companionable silence, gazing out towards the setting sun. A tentative, whispered voice broke the silence. ''Do you think he is alive Rachet?'' I felt my spark lurch at the pain and uncertainty in her voice.

For a moment I said nothing, contemplating my words. I honestly did not know. From Elita's account of that fateful trip to Mexico City and the fact we had heard nothing from Prime for over two years did not bode well for his survival at all. Having said that, if anyone could survive an ambush from Cemetery Wind and Lockdown, it was Prime.

I turned to face my friend. Her optics latched onto mine, desperately seeking reassurance. I returned her stare and gave her a small smile, ''While I do not know for sure Phoenix, I believe that Optimus is indeed alive somewhere.'' At my words she seemed to release a ''breath'' she was not aware she was holding. ''He is as tough as they come.'' My smile turned wistful as I continued to hold her gaze, ''especially when he has someone to fight for.''

Phoenix dipped her helm, wrapped her arms about her waist and shuttered her optics. ''Don't you mean something Rachet?''

I felt myself shake my helm slowly from side to side, ''No. I did not misspeak Phoenix.''

She raised her helm and looked at me again, her optics filled with sadness, ''Elita is definitely….'' She began to speak.

''Not YOU!'' I surprised myself with the severity of my tone. Phoenix's dermas closed shut and she looked at me dumbly. ''I was not referring to her Phoenix.'' I looked away from her for a moment.

Upon Elita's return it became apparent that a great many things had now changed – including the relationship between Prime and her. She had confided in Ironhide shortly before we split up into smaller teams, that Optimus had told her about Phoenix and how he had come to love her and that what Elita and he had could no longer be. Prime had told her that his spark belonged to Phoenix.

When Ironhide informed me of their conversation, despite an initial sorrow and pain for Elita and what once was, all I could feel was happiness that Prime had finally chosen a path and was committed to following it. I wanted to tell Phoenix this revelation, but it was not my conversation to have.

I chose my words carefully. ''Phoenix, you have a habit of - assuming - far too much when it comes to matters concerning Prime and yourself.'' I turned back to look at her, fixing her optics with a hard and determined stare. ''While a great many things have changed over the past four years, you will come to see some things have remained the same – will always remain the same - IF you take the time and the patience to find out and stop assuming.''

Phoenix closed her optics for a moment and nodded her helm. I could tell she was suitably chastened and was considering my words, though I also knew she did not fully understand what I had meant. ''Fair enough Rachet. The assumptions are borne of self-preservation I guess, in some small way they help soften the blow. But, I shall try to avoid assuming when it comes to matters pertaining to Prime and I.'' A soft sigh of resignation indicated Phoenix was about to change topics. ''So, what's the plan then?''

I returned my gaze towards the last remnants of sunlight as the sun slunk below the horizon. ''To be honest Phoenix, I don't know. I hadn't expected to survive that attack.''

Phoenix gave a snort of amusement, 'NOW who's assuming!''

I shot her a withering glance in reply. ''So, Wrangel Island. I hear it is lovely this time of year..''

Phoenix gave a laugh and held her servos up in mock surrender. ''Okay, okay Hatchet, I'll behave.'' She sighed out loud again before folding her arms across her chest, as Prime often did when he was contemplating something, or trying to maintain an air of authority. ''Well, we cannot stay here. I am surprised the humans have not retaliated in some way to our usurping their factory here. It is only a matter of time before we are noticed, if that hasn't happened already.'' She paused a moment. ''We need to move away from the area as soon as possible and regroup with some of the others to determine a course of action to both locate and aid Optimus and go about bringing down Cemetery Wind and Lockdown.'' She turned her helm towards me once again. ''Do you know of a place that might offer some protection and be remote enough to help avoid detection?''

I smiled at her, ''I may do. How about we make our way back to Monument Valley? It served well enough before and when Prime is able to establish contact, I have a feeling he may try to head there himself.''

Phoenix smiled at me and placed a servo on my shoulder, ''Sounds like a plan to me Rachet. Now, how soon do you think you will be able to travel?''

In the distance I heard the heavy pede falls of a certain rotund field medic heading our way as Hound's form loomed ahead. A teasing smile spread across my dermas as I prepared to inform Hound of our change in plans, ''How about right now?''