A/N: This was not an easy one to write

Knowing that Smokescreen's tactics were not as outlandish as First Aid feared, he was at least marginally better with the other mech helping Skyfire now. Sure, he'd still seen the shuttle occasionally tense or get suspicious when other mechs wanted to talk to him, but it…wasn't as bad. First Aid hoped eventually Skyfire would be comfortable enough to try reaching out again.

It had been two sols, and Cosmos was finally ready to leave the medbay. "How are you feeling?" First Aid asked as the saucer shifted to get off the berth. He was ready to catch the mech in case he fell.

Cosmos did wobble on his legs, but gained his bearings well enough. "Good, you and Ratchet really fixed me up."

On Cosmos' other side, Ratchet was giving him one final scan. "Don't try and play it off either if you feel something get knocked loose, you got that?"

Cosmos nodded. "Yes. And thank you, both of you."

Ratchet snorted. "That's my job." He said brusquely, but his tone softened. "Now get, you probably got a lot of catching up to do." It was only after Cosmos left that Ratchet's features tightened again. "First Aid, we're needed at a meeting in about a breem."

First Aid's visor brightened. "You're the Chief Medical Officer, why would I need to be there?"

"It's about Sunstreaker."

First Aid tensed. He was torn between unease and confusion. "And because it's my case, that's why I have to be there, right?" he asked softly.

Ratchet nodded. "Prowl could only extend Sunstreaker's confinement so long after Cosmos left the medbay, and unfortunately we can't keep him in the brig forever. Remember to keep a cool head in there."

The unease won out. First Aid's spark twisted. "You mean, he's going to be allowed to stay on the Ark?" his voice shook. "What he's done-"

"Is utterly reprehensible." Ratchet said sharply. His expression shifted into something tired and worn. "None of us are ever going to forget what Sunstreaker's done, but the longer he stays in the brig, the more the other Autobots will begin to question it; it's a miracle they haven't started to already."

"Couldn't Sunstreaker just be," First Aid hesitated, "moved somewhere else?"

"And make him someone else's problem just for this to happen again?" Ratchet retorted. First Aid flinched. The other medic vented deeply. "Sometimes I forget how young you really are. As things are now, there's no guarantee that if Sunstreaker were to be transferred that he wouldn't just hurt another bot. I've seen too much to believe anything else."

"And because Skyfire hasn't made a formal complaint, Sunstreaker could claim unjust treatment." First Aid whispered, his spark pulsing wildly in his chest.

Ratchet nodded grimly. "Or worse; Skyfire might not want to accept the situation, but there's every chance Sunstreaker could turn it around and claim he's been abused and Skyfire's injuries were made in self-defence."

As if this situation wasn't terrible enough. First Aid vented. Skyfire had shown himself to be a gentle, studious mech with an even temperament; he wasn't a pacifist like First Aid or Groove, but he did prefer not to get into the fighting unless needed. That's not what anyone would see though. "What other options are there then?" He didn't want to lose hope, but there didn't seem to be any option without a messy outcome.

Ratchet shook his helm. "That's what the meeting's for, but I don't think it's going to be anything other than just spinning our wheels in place."

It was all First Aid could think about though as they left the medbay, and marched towards the command room. The first thing he noticed was who was in attendance. Optimus sat at the head of the table, with Jazz and Smokescreen on one side. 'Mirage must still be with Skyfire.' First Aid thought. He took a seat next to Ratchet.

"Where's Prowl?" The older medic asked, but no sooner did the door slide open and the white and black mech step inside.

Jazz smiled a little. "Never took ya for one to be late."

Prowl's doorwings hitched, his features tight. In his servo he held a datapad. "I was held up in a meeting with Hoist." First Aid stiffened as Prowl took his seat on Optimus' other side. "He informed me that Sunstreaker threatened him with bodily harm if he didn't repair injuries Skyfire had acquired."

Jazz's lips tightened into a thin line. "Right. Acquired."

First Aid vented slowly. It was strange seeing this side of Jazz, but he couldn't have gotten his position if he didn't know when to be serious. "Does this mean Sunstreaker's brig time will be extended?"

Prowl nodded solemnly. "Yes, but this isn't a solution." The junior medic winced. "It's merely delaying the inevitable."

"It is true." Optimus said, his tone grave. "We must assess the options available to us. Smokescreen, Jazz, what can you tell me about the situation? How are Skyfire and Sunstreaker?"

Smokescreen straightened up, his expression lacking its usual cavalier edge. "I'm going to tentatively say that Skyfire's been progressing slowly, but it's there. I've gotten him to open up more about Sunstreaker, but he isn't ready to take that final leap yet. The real problem I've found has been his attitude about us," he hesitated, just a for a moment, "I don't think he understands that we're trying to help him."

First Aid's firsts clenched under the table. Ratchet had yet to speak again, but he placed a hand on the junior medic's shoulder. It gave him the strength to find his voice. "He's scared." First Aid vented to steady himself when everyone's optics turned to him. "Skyfire has been viewed with suspicion since he joined the Autobots; he's probably seen how everyone said nothing of when Grapple and Hoist teamed up with the Constructicons. That…that had to be isolating, thinking it's just him, not even that he was with the Decepticons to cause this."

He would not, in good conscience, bring up the Dinobots being tricked by Megatron or Red Alert working with Starscream during his vulnerable state.

"To Skyfire, the only one who cared about him was Sunstreaker." First Aid said quietly.

"And none of us saw what was happening." Jazz said just as quietly, his visor dimmed.

There was a stretch of forlorn silence, before Optimus' voice broke through the stillness, "Do you have anything further to report, Smokescreen?"

The mech in question shook his helm. "No, but I'll keep talking with Skyfire."

Optimus nodded grimly. "Jazz?"

"Sunstreaker hasn't exactly been chatty since he got thrown in the brig." Jazz said. "He knows someone's watching him on the feed, 'cause he'll complain about his paint and wanting a cloth to clean up the dust. Doesn't talk when I bring him his energon, and usually just stalks around his cell. I'd be more surprised if Sunstreaker ain't at least talkin' to Sideswipe through their bond."

"If Sunstreaker told Sideswipe anything, I'd wager my medical license that Sideswipe wouldn't stop at making a big fuss over it." Ratchet grumbled.

It seemed like so long ago, but First Aid remembered when the red mech came to see him. "I don't think Sunstreaker said anything." He tried not to fidget when everyone once more looked at him. "Sideswipe wanted to talk to me, not too long ago. He was worried I'd…well, that I was trying to steal Skyfire from his brother."

Smokescreen snorted. "You?"

First Aid stiffened as Ratchet shot the blue mech a glower. "Yes, actually. Sideswipe said Sunstreaker wasn't letting him in, and he only caught glimpses of Sunstreaker being paranoid over it." The junior medic explained. "And…Sideswipe doesn't know what Sunstreaker's done. When Cosmos was first in the medbay, Sideswipe was horrified by what happened."

Jazz let out a low whistle. "So, Ratch, does this mean First Aid will be our new CMO?" Now Ratchet shot him a glower. First Aid ducked in his seat.

"It still doesn't mean Sideswipe won't stand by Sunstreaker out of loyalty." Prowl said grimly. First Aid ducked further in his seat.

"Have we any solutions to implement?" Optimus questioned.

"Unless Skyfire files a complaint, we cannot enforce any punishment for the long-term." Prowl replied. "And I calculate a sixty-forty chance this will not end well should they both remain on the Ark."

Jazz straightened up. "We ain't sending Skyfire anywhere." His voice was downright cold. "Mechs been through enough, he doesn't need us thinking that we're protectin' Sunstreaker instead of him."

Prowl's icy expression matched Jazz's tone. "I've seen too many cases where abusers were allowed free; do not think for a moment I'd ever protect one of them. I'd be disgusted with myself."

Had Optimus not stood from his seat, First Aid worried if Jazz and Prowl were about to get into an actual fight. "It is clear that tensions are high right now," he gave both his lieutenants a glance, and they both settled back into their seats, "but with all the information we have, let us reconvene next sol with a verdict. It will give us time to clear our processors and evaluate the situation."

Isn't…that what they were supposed to be doing right now? First Aid was too uncertain to question Optimus, but Ratchet had no problem with steamrolling on ahead.

"It's very simple, Prime- deal with Sunstreaker now, or never."

Another hush followed, and Optimus stared Ratchet down, but medic wasn't budging. "This is a complicated matter with many layers and Sunstreaker is-"

"An abusive piece of slag!" First Aid jumped when Ratchet slammed his fist onto the table. The older medic stood and glared at their leader, but everyone else stayed silent. None of them wanted that anger turned on them. "Cut the scrap. Yes, Sunstreaker is a better soldier than Skyfire, and yes, this a war we're fighting. But that does not mean the well-being of your troops can or should be measured by how 'useful' they are to you. Don't try saying there are layers to the situation when there aren't. Sunstreaker is abusing Skyfire, he deserves to be punished!" Ratchet emphasized his point by banging his fist on the table again.

Optimus held himself stiffly, optics hard as he held Ratchet's gaze. He did not speak for a long time. First Aid chanced a glance at the others; Smokescreen was gapping at Ratchet, while Jazz's visor seemed to be blinking in surprise, but Prowl's expression was neutral.

"No matter how deserved, I cannot punish Sunstreaker without the necessary steps." Optimus said finally. His gaze grew even harder. "I would be no better than Megatron." First Aid stiffened, but Ratchet's glare intensified. "You do not have to like my decision, Ratchet, but I must look after all of my troops. I cannot afford to have my opinion be viewed as biased."

Ratchet scowled. "Then what do you want us to do about it?"

"Get Skyfire's report." Optimus replied. "As it stands now, Sunstreaker will be released from the brig in a month. That is the most which can be given with this new information. You are dismissed."

First Aid slumped further in his seat as Optimus made for the door. A month? The deadline was only going to be a month? Would Skyfire even be ready to talk in that time? As the door closed, all of First Aid's hope went with it.