A Barricade of Stone

by Freya2Xana

Dagny was a human, working for N.E.S.T. and the Autobots. Barricade was a Cybertronian and a Decepticon scout. They were supposed to be enemies. They were supposed to hate each other; so why couldn't they bring themselves to do so? They say opposites attract, but that's just a silly, old wives tale..or is it? Perhaps they were simply destined to find one another.

4. Chapter 4

(Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers; just Dagny, Anwen, and any other OC's I've blended into the mixture.)

(Authors Note: Hello dearest readers, fellow writers, fangirls, fanboys, and TF fans of every corner of the galaxy! I hope you've enjoyed this story so far because I'm literally just getting started and have so much more to write/add. Now, I'm trying to focus on writing more content for my other FF's, but this story and Bleu Lambos have been taking up nearly all of my attention. Honestly, I don't mind it, but I don't want to neglect my other works because that's unfair. However, I will still be working on this fic whenever I have a moment to do so, and that applies to Bleu Lambos as well. Also, to the guest who posted that first review: Thank you so, so much! While I'm nowhere near ending this fic just yet, your feedback is greatly appreciated :) Thank you all for taking the time to read this story of mine and if you're enjoying this story and haven't checked out Bleu Lambos yet, feel free to do so if you're up for a bit of reading ;) Anyways, I hope you all take care and remember to stay awesome!)

"English/French"

'Mental thoughts'

"Flashbacks"

'Sarcasm' (or emphasis)

{Cybertronian}

::Sparkbonds::

:Speaker talk:

::Comm. Link::

*:Phone calls:*

Chapter 4

-1000-

As the consistent beeping from the heart monitor became audible, Dagny awoke with a sense of nothingness on her right side and emitted a sigh as she looked over to see that her upper arm and shoulder were bandaged up. Upon further inspection, she realized that 75% of her right forearm had been amputated, leaving her with a bandaged stump that stopped just below her elbow. Yes, the doctors had told her that they were going to have to remove it because there had been too much nerve damage inflicted for her to ever be able to properly use it again. And yes, she had signed the consent form which gave said doctors permission to go ahead with the procedure. But regardless, it was still a shock to go from having both arms yesterday, to now only having one and a half. She just hoped the medics kept their word and didn't dispose of her mutilated/amputated appendage. As macabre and grotesque as it was, she wanted to keep it. Why? Because it was hers and she would feel somewhat incomplete without it.

The sound of the door opening alerted the young brunette of a foreign presence, to which she quickly composed herself and looked up to see the head surgeon, Dr. Amanda Kinsley, enter the room. "Good morning, Miss Stone. How are you feeling?"

"A little lighter than I was yesterday," she joked, trying to make light of her current situation. "But I'll be okay once the shock dissipates."

*sigh* "I truly am sorry that we couldn't save the entirety of your appendage, but the damage was much worse than what we initially thought when you were brought in last night."

She shook her head and waved it off, "It's not your fault. I'm just glad that I'm left handed as opposed to right, otherwise I'd be up shit creek without a paddle."

"Indeed. By the way, we honored your request by saving your severed appendage and currently have it in cold storage."

"Thank you. Now, this is going to sound like an odd request, but...would it be possible to have it sent to my family's funeral home/crematorium in Salem?"

The doctor gave her a kind smile and nodded, "I believe that can be arranged."

"Thank you. Also, thanks for honoring my wish and keeping a hold of my severed limb, instead of tossing it out with all the other medical waste."

"Of course." She then took a moment to glance at her chart before asking, "Are you currently in any sort of pain or have you experienced any recent discomfort?"

At that, Dagny shook her head, "Nope. The drugs you guys administered to me appear to be doing their job at numbing the pain because I can't even feel my right hand anymore." Yes, that joke was terrible, but she was still trying to make light of the situation.

"I'm glad your sense of humor is still intact. Regardless, we'll be keeping you here for the rest of the week for observation."

*sigh* "I guess this means that I won't be traveling home to Salem to visit my family for Christmas."

"I'm so sorry, Miss Stone."

She casually waved her hand and gave a small smile, "No, you needn't apologize. I was actually on the fence about going home for the holidays because my older sister always causes drama and tension. At least with this I have a legitimate excuse not to go. I'll just have to Skype them for Christmas."

"Well, at least you have that option."

"...Yea," she emitted a sigh and frowned as she glanced down at the I.V. in her one (fully) remaining arm. "I don't suppose I could bother you to hand me my bag? My cellphone is in there and I'd like to call my folks and let them know I'm okay."

"Of course," she grabbed the bag off a nearby chair and placed it upon her lap. "I need to check on my other patients, but the nurse should be here soon to change your I.V. and remove your catheter."

"Oooh, so that explains why I haven't had the urge to pee yet."

"Indeed," she smiled before adding, "Just push the call button if you need anything, alright?"

Dagny gave her a thumbs up before adjusting her bed to where her legs were now slightly elevated. Afterwards, while using her one remaining hand, she unzipped her bag, pulled out her cellphone and made a call:

"...Hi, Mom."

*:Dagny?! Oh my god, my sweet baby! Are you alright?! Johnathen! Johnathen, Dagny is on the phone,:* she hollered on her end, bringing a small smirk to Dagny's face before her Father's voice appeared:

*:Dagny! Bless my bones, I'm so glad you're alright! When we got the call stating that you were injured and needed surgery, we were beside ourselves with worry.:*

*sigh* "I bet. I honestly can't imagine the stress you both have been enduring these last several hours. But to set your minds at ease, I'm alright; however, I should warn you that the next time you see me, I won't exactly look the same as I did before I left Salem."

*:What do you mean,:* her Mother asked.

"...Well…I mean, my face is still the same, but I'm now missing my right hand and most of my arm."

*:WHAT?!:* They both shouted in unison, to which Dagny emitted another sigh while leaning back against her pillows.

"Mom, Dad, it's okay. I'm alright. I'm going to be fitted for a prosthetic in a couple of days and I'll learn to adapt. Besides, I'm lucky to still be alive."

*:You're right. We're sorry, this is just all a shock to us.:*

"Trust me, I get the feeling," she casually smirked and glanced over at her bandaged stump. "Regardless, I thought I should break the news to you both now rather than surprise you with it later."

*:We understand. So, what did the doctors do with your hand and arm after they removed it?:*

"Actually, I requested that they save it; which they did. I asked if they could send it to the both of you because I didn't feel comfortable with the thought of my body parts being treated like medical waste. If it's going to be disposed of, it's going to be on my terms."

*:Well then, I suppose we'll have to keep a lookout for a bio-hazard package,:* her Dad noted.

With a smirk lining her face, Dagny casually stated, "Maybe you'll get it before Christmas. If so, then I'll 'technically' be home for the holidays."

*:Oh honey, that's just morbid,:* her Mother replied with an obvious frown in her tone.

"Sorry. I'm just trying to make light of my current situation. Obviously, I won't be coming home to spend the holidays with you all, but we can still Skype one another."

*:In that case, we'll be sure to mail off your presents as well as a couple of care packages,:* her Father added, which brought a smile to her face.

"I'd appreciate that, but I doubt I'll get them in time for Christmas. Regardless, I'm sorry that I won't be there to celebrate with all of you."

*:And we're sorry we can't be there with you while you're recovering. Just know that we love you and we'll be thinking of you.:*

"Thanks." She glanced down at her I.V. and emitted a sigh, "Hey, Mom? Dad?"

*:Yes,:* they both replied in unison.

"Can I make a request?"

*:Of course, sweetie. What is it?:*

"Well, if and when my severed limb does come in, could you see to it that it gets cremated and the ashes are set aside for me to scatter the next time I come out and visit? Please?"

*:As much as we don't like the idea of burying or cremating any of our children, we'll honor your request. Now, is there a special urn you'd like the ashes to be placed in,:* her Father asked, to which she shook her head:

"No; just stick them in a little pine box for the time being."

*:Alright. In the meantime, we'll be sure to keep an eye out for your package.:*

*:Johnathen!:*

*:What? She's arriving by mail, isn't she?:*

"Technically, yes," Dagny added with a smirk, to which she heard her Mother scoff in disapproval.

XXXXX

Meanwhile, Barricade slowly came out of stasis and emitted a pained groan as he opened his optics and sat upright on the berth. Glancing around his new surroundings, he immediately recognized the layout was that of a brig. More specifically, a holding cell. On the floor beside the berth, the scout noticed a cube of med-grade energon, to which he raised a brow before a gruff voice spoke up:

{It ain't poisoned if that's what you're worried about,} Ironhide neutrally stated as he stepped out from the shadows and stood before the prisoner. {You're lucky to be alive. If it were me, I'd have placed a couple of rounds in your helm, but Prime and Lennox insisted on keepin' you online.}

{How noble,} he sarcastically growled and picked up the energon before taking an inquisitive sip, just to make sure the Autobot wasn't lying about it being tainted. Fortunately, it wasn't. As he slowly drank the life-sustaining liquid, Barricade felt the older mech's gaze upon him, to which he glared over at him, {Don't you have some filthy humans to serve and fawn over?}

Knowing he was getting under his plating, Ironhide smirked and casually leaned against the wall, {Nope. I've been assigned to watch you and that's what I'm gonna do. Got a problem with that, Con?}

The scout just sneered and turned his back to the weapons specialist while continuing to silently drink his cube of med-grade. While he was less than thrilled about being a POW, he knew whatever the Autobots had in store for him would be significantly better than what his fellow Decepticons would do if the roles were reversed. Having served under Megatron's leadership and Starscream's would-be attempt at leadership, he had witnessed several 'interrogations' that ultimately ended in permanent damage or termination of the prisoners.

A small shudder raked the scouts frame as his processor was flooded with energon-curdling screams and images of mangled bots strewn about like shrapnel. He mentally shook his helm and focused his attention on his energon cube while continuing to ignore the Autobot standing across from his cell.