Chapter 4
First Aid didn't want to seem paranoid, but he was worried when he couldn't find Skyfire the next day. He'd resolved to help him, to be there for support, to just be his friend, but the mech was nowhere to be found.
When he asked bots about Skyfire's possible whereabouts, it was Cliffjumper's answer which surprised him the most. "He's been held up his room, I heard he won't leave unless Sunstreaker's with him. Even lets him go into the lab with him." his optics had a suspicious gleam in them. "Probably plotting something."
First Aid was suspicious too, but about it had more to do with Sunstreaker than Skyfire. It did give him another person to question. He wouldn't be surprised though if Perceptor was still a bit miffed about the accusation of faulty safety measures. First Aid certainly wouldn't have been happy if someone questioned his medical skills, and Ratchet would be even harsher about it.
His mentor threatened unruly mechs with a toaster reformat, but as of yet actually went through with it. First Aid was willing to wager that there was a secret bet going around on just who would be the unlucky recipient. He would also guess it'd be one of the Twins, specifically Sunstreaker.
The medic winced at his thoughts, but didn't stop from walking to the lab. 'I have to calm down. This isn't like me.' It disturbed him to wish ill on anyone, but the repulsive things he was learning disturbed him more. 'Relationships are about trust, and what Sunstreaker's doing is reprehensible.'
Now he just needed Skyfire to admit it.
When First Aid reached the lab and signed in, he blinked behind his visor as Perceptor was almost sprinting around the room, his brisk pace never stopping as he checked over three beakers, the lock on the cabinet, and row of cupboards.
"I see you standing there. Please come in or leave." First Aid winced at the frosty tone. Not mad, but still miffed.
The medic let the door close behind him. "I wanted to apologize about my behavior before. I wasn't trying to imply anything, and if I gave you that impression…" he was unsure of how to end that, but Perceptor surprised him by how startled he looked.
"You think your questions have unnerved me?" he gave a jerky shake of the head, but his digits were strumming along the table with nervous energy.
"Then, may I ask what the problem is?" First Aid questioned tentatively.
Perceptor stared at him, his digits pausing briefly, but then he frowned. "It's Skyfire," he began and First Aid stiffened as he tried not to lean forward-that would give him away for sure, "he took the night shift a few days ago, so I did not notice right away. It was startling to learn that Skyfire has been letting Sunstreaker help him," his lips twisted into a deeper frown, "in here."
The running around, the nervous glances at anything which could be so easily moved- "You think Sunstreaker might be stealing things?"
"Everything has been accounted for, but it does set me on edge that Sunstreaker's good behavior is merely a ruse and he is planning something with Sideswipe." Perceptor glanced towards another cupboard. "It wouldn't surprise me at all."
For the first time, the medic thought he'd found an alternative explanation. Was the relationship only a means to an end? It sounded cruel to use Skyfire's feelings against him, but it didn't account for the injuries. 'Neither of the Twins are patient though, and waiting this long to play a prank isn't their style.' It also didn't make sense for Sideswipe to continue his practical jokes on everyone while Sunstreaker didn't.
"I see." First Aid said quietly. He couldn't keep putting it off it seemed. There was only one place he could get the truth once and for all. "I'd like to talk to Skyfire, but I don't where his quarters are. Would you happen to have his room number?"
Perceptor furrowed his ridges for a moment. "118, Unit E."
First Aid started in surprise. "Isn't that where the storage units are?"
The scientist nodded. "To my understandings, Skyfire's size made it a bit difficult to have him placed in more appropriate quarters."
'Not only was Skyfire emotional separated, he was physically removed too. No wonder he's so awkward. It can't be easy to make connections when you're so far away from anyone.' And it put a depressing spin on Skyfire's fondness for Sunstreaker. 'Maybe it could have been stopped if someone tried before to befriend him.'
First Aid needed to talk to him now. "Thank you for your time." He added. Perceptor nodded slightly and the medic took his leave.
Determinations burned inside him as he hurried to find Skyfire's room. He passed by other mechs, dodging them on his way to the storage areas. He counted down the numbers until he found the numbers 118 on a plaque by the door. First Aid knocked, but all fierce passion didn't stand a chance against an angry Sunstreaker.
"What are you doing here?" he snapped, his optics blazing.
First Aid clenched his fists. It took all he had not to quail under the glare, fear churning in his tank as he berated himself. How could he have forgotten? There was no way he could get an honest answer out of Skyfire with Sunstreaker around. 'You have to try, for his sake you have to try.' He told himself. "I…" he straightened up, squinting into the dark room as he saw a large, still frame on the berth. "I was worried about Skyfire-you said he was accident prone and I wanted to make sure he didn't aggravate his wrist."
"He's fine." Sunstreaker retorted. "He's just recharging now."
First Aid held firm. "I'd like to hear him tell me. A patient can measure their own pain better than an observer."
Sunstreaker's optics darkened. "I said he's fine. Don't you have other mechs to look at than spending all this time chasing after mine?"
First Aid's optics widened. "W-what?"
The yellow mech sneered at him, his arms crossed. "You think you were being subtle? Sideswipe and Bluestreak told me that you were asking about me and Skyfire, that you've been asking anyone you could talk to about us." First Aid felt his spark pulse rapidly, his pedes moving back as Sunstreaker leaned in aggressively. His optics burned almost white, his lips pulling back into a fierce scowl. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing."
The medic clenched his fists tighter to keep from shaking, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not doing anything. I'm just worried about a patient."
Sunstreaker snorted, his expression unimpressed and disdainful. "Not anymore he's not. And you'd better stay away from him." he stepped forward, and First Aid felt his back hit the wall as those optics blazed brighter. "Or you won't like what'll happen."
First Aid jutted his chin up, wanting to appear braver than he felt. "Did you just threaten a superior officer?" his spark sank when Sunstreaker only smirked.
"You think I'm scared of being in the brig?" The smirk turned into another scowl. "Go ahead and try. It won't change anything."
A soft groan came from inside the room, and soon a voice followed, low and tired. "Sunstreaker? What's going on? Did the alarm sound?"
"No, you big lugnut." Sunstreaker said crossly. He glared at First Aid, his optics severe and challenging. "There's nothing going on."
First Aid's vents released when the door shut, and he slowly slid down the wall. Fear and relief coursed through his spark. He'd been so terrified when he saw Sunstreaker on the other side of that door, and he couldn't believe he had been able to keep from running.
Confusion mixed in with his myriad of emotions. What was Sunstreaker going on about? First Aid couldn't be sure if the yellow mech knew the medic was onto him, or if he thought First Aid had a crush on Skyfire.
Everything was getting so complicated, but despite the threat, he wasn't giving up. It only meant he was getting closer. He just hoped he'd be able to finally have proof soon.
