Chapter 157 – Come back to Us

Rachet P.O.V

''Well, you are all set!'' I gave Phoenix a small pat on her shoulder. ''You are in perfect health and fully functional.''

''Thanks, Rachet,'' Phoenix smiled at me as she rotated her right shoulder. ''You know, after all of the tests you've given me this past week, not to mention all the tests you did back when I was OC, I am beginning to see why Prime has such an aversion to the Med Bay.''

I sent her a dark look.

Phoenix back peddled. ''It's nothing to do with the company Rachet, it's just…''

I held up a large syringe filled with nanites and raised an optical ridge. ''All the sharp, pointy things?''

She nodded her helm enthusiastically, "Yeah, that!''

I lowered the syringe and continued to carry various items away from the gurney, placing them where they belonged. I hated disorganisation and mess. ''Well, they are the tools of my trade Phoenix, but I guess I can see where both you and Prime are coming from.'' I hesitated a moment. ''Speaking of Prime, how is he going?'' I sent Phoenix a questioning glance from across the room.

She sighed out loud as she tapped her pede against the gurney frame. /A nervous tic?/ I wondered. ''He…. he's taking what is about to happen about as well as you can expect him to. Better than I think I would if the situation was reversed.''

I turned about and sent her a sympathetic look. ''It is understandable that either of you should be on edge and uptight.'' My gaze hardened. ''Given what you are about to do. There is a very good chance things may not go to plan Phoenix, that things could get decidedly horrible. Are you prepared for that?''

It was Phoenix's turn to snort. ''Hunh, what do you think Rachet?'' She sighed out loud, her pede tapped slightly faster against the frame and I almost wanted to reach out and slap her leg, but I restrained myself. ''Jazz, Ironhide and even Prime have filled me in on some of the details about the 'Cons and how they – operate. They've given me brief's about the main players and their M.O's, but as everyone keeps saying, nothing will really prepare me so I guess I'll just have to wing it.'' Her pede stopped tapping and her face took on a determined look. ''Given what is at stake Rachet, I can't afford to fail. I must find a way to get whatever information I can, as quickly as I can and somehow get it back to you guys – preferably without getting dead.'' She gave a small, nervous laugh.

''Well, yes, that would be the preferred outcome Phoenix,'' I walked back over towards her. ''And not just for Prime.''

The smile Phoenix sent quickly faded and she fixed me with a serious stare. ''Rachet?''

''Yes Phoenix?'' at the tone in her voice, I stopped what I was doing and gave her my full attention.

''I know that for some time now, I have kind of taken over your role as Prime's sounding board..''

I snorted yet again, ''I've mentioned this before Phoenix, you make a far better confidant than a crotchety old medic and a trigger-happy weapon's specialist. I am not offended in the least that you took on this role. As long as Prime has someone he can turn to…''

''That's just it Rachet! With Elita gone and me – where I will be - he is going to need you, now more than ever. Promise me you will be there for him, keep him safe, stop him from doing something stupid. I won't be able to talk to him, or even see him for weeks, maybe months, and the only thing that will keep me sane is knowing that he will have someone like you looking out for him. Promise me?'' her face was grave indeed, and her optics never left mine.

The depth of love and concern she had for our Prime, for my dear friend, over and above her own thoughts of survival and safety, touched me deeply. Not for the first time, I sent a silent prayer of thanks to Primus that Phoenix had found her way into our lives. I nodded my helm. ''On one condition..''

Phoenix arched her optical ridge in confusion, ''and that would be?''

''That you come back to us Phoenix! Promise me you will do everything you need to survive and come back to us.'' Phoenix reached out a servo and grasped my arm tightly. I gave a ''cough'' as I felt a swell of affection and emotion bubble up inside of me. ''You know the last time you left us all, Jazz damn near cried, Bumblebee moped around for weeks. Even Sideswipe was unusually quiet.'' I paused a moment, ''then again now Sunstreaker is back, and they are both fighting for Arcee's affections they may not even realise you are gone!''

Phoenix laughed, ''You'll somehow have to keep me up to date on that soap opera triangle Rachet. It'll be like the ''Young and the Senseless.'' Phoenix's frame shook with laughter again.

I gave a weak smile and, placing a servo over hers, gave it a quick squeeze. ''You know I can't do that Phoenix, not this time. No contact of any kind lest we blow your cover.'' The realisation of what was about to happen truly sunk in and I released her servo and stepped away under the guise of putting my examination equipment away.

There was a weighted silence between us as Phoenix also grappled with what she was about to get herself into. The moment stretched out until it was almost uncomfortable. I gave a ''cough'' and cast her a quick glance over my shoulder. ''And don't even get me started on Ironhide! For a tough, crotchety ol' weapon's specialist he didn't deal with your absence very well.'' I tried to busy myself with various items on the bench.

There was another moment's silence before Phoenix spoke softly from her position on the gurney. ''And what about crotchety old medics? How do you think they'll cope?''

I paused in my actions. My shoulders slumped slightly, and I gave a small grunt of self-deprecation. For some reason I could not bring myself to look at her. ''Truth be told Phoenix; the crotchety old medic will miss you the most.'' I looked back at her and gave her a small, sad smile before I continued, ''apart from a certain Prime that is.''

Phoenix slid down off the gurney and walked over to me. I turned about to face her, folding my arms across my chest. She came to a stop just before me, one arm wrapped tightly about her waist, her optics shining brightly. ''I really wanna hug you Rachet, to show you how much I care about you and will miss you too, but I know you aren't a fan of such displays of affection, so I'm going to respect your boundaries and restrain myself.'' A brief shadow of sadness flashed across her optics. ''Just know that I'll be missing you just about as much as you'll be missing me – perhaps even more.''

Before I could even register what was happening, I felt my arms reach out of their own volition and wrap Phoenix in a hug. It took only a nanosecond for her to over come her shock and reciprocate the hug, and she held me tightly. My spark ached as I suppressed the painful thought, /this could be the last time I see her. Another dear friend about to lose their spark in this Primus forsaken War/.

I held her even tighter for a moment and my words were almost a sob as they came out. ''Just come back to us.''