Drift's P.O.V.
We're all going back to the base via a groundbridge after breakfast.
Vivian tries to get us to stay at the house, believing it is better for Jamie. Optimus kindly explains that he wants Jamie to stay at the base to work on what we need to work on. Vivian is supportive and tells us we can bring Jamie back here or to one of the other houses any time. We know everyone is welcome to the three homes. Vivian is told she can come to the base. The ground bridge is a quick way to travel since Cade and Vivian don't have a room at the base or a house in D.C.
"Also, I uh got you a house in Japan," Vivian tells me, "it's ok if you don't go there for a while. I know Jamie will love being able to go to Japan often."
"Uh, Vivian, do you not know we will be required to have visas?"
"It's taken care of, Drift," Optimus assures me, "I know it's hard to believe, but we are welcome, but there are still rules we must follow. We are welcome as the fact that we don't have birth certificates is excused, but it's still possible for applications to be denied."
I know we can't plan last-minute trips to Japan, but it's out of the question for now to plan a trip.
Vivian sent me pictures of the house she bought. I'll look at them later with Crosshairs and Jamie.
Vivian's P.O.V.
"Are you ok?" Optimus asks me once Drift returns to the room and closes the door.
"It's hard seeing Jamie like this. I know I met everyone five years ago, but even I see the difference from then to now—even December. I worry about how much change the others have seen. And you?"
I'm more troubled hearing what Optimus has seen Jamie deal with than just finding out all this. Still, I should have asked years ago, even if there's nothing I can do to help. Hopefully, only for now, and soon I can help. I know how Cade feels and the Autobots.
"... this is a complicated challenge," Optimus finishes, "I hope we can help her."
I will not ask if there are issues I don't know about. If there are, it's likely because everyone doesn't need to know.
"I hope Crosshairs and Drift are doing ok. I know they're not liking that Jamie doesn't want to be with the others, but that will affect them."
Optimus nods and walks away.
What about your mental health? I worry.
Crosshairs' P.O.V.
Drift isn't sure what to think about the house Cade and Vivian bought us. I know it's more for Drift and Jamie, but they know I'd likely be going with them. It's a nice house, but we must stay here to work on what we need. However, the required visas make last-minute vacations impossible. We both still hope to go to the house, but we agree to wait until next year.
"I don't know if hoping things will be better by Christmas is a good goal," I admit, while holding Jamie.
"I'm not sure. That's five months away, but knowing what we're dealing with..."
I hug him, hoping something good will happen soon. I hate there's not much I can do to help my friends.
We don't wait long for Jamie to wake up. To our surprise, she is hungry. Drift, and I take her downstairs.
We walk into the kitchen as Cogman is finishing cooking. He was expecting to bring food upstairs. It's odd seeing the fragger who broke my digit cares about Jamie. He had a hard time adjusting to now serving Vivian. He watches Drift put Jamie on a bar stool. His optics show concern.
He gives the three of us our plates, looking like he'd rather not leave, but leaves the kitchen.
Jamie is hungry this morning, but I know this isn't the end of the problem.
We're all ready to go back to the base an hour later. Optimus wants me to talk to the Autobots who didn't come with us to the house.
"I'll be right back," I tell Jamie, even though she heard Optimus request my presence.
Why can't Optimus tell everyone what's going on and the plan?
Drift's P.O.V.
I take Jamie back to our room, where Lightning is waiting. The three of us go into the room. Lightning sits with Jamie on the couch, watching T.V. while you unpack everything. I didn't know that Crosshairs would be asked to talk to the others, but I put his bag in my subspace. However, all I'm doing is putting clean clothes away. Until I get a text from Crosshairs asking about a beach day in a few weeks, I can't think of doing something a few weeks from now with Jamie's current mental state, but I know the question is being asked for scheduling purposes. At least Prowl won't have to worry about figuring out schedules.
Crosshairs returns just as I'm finished with the clothes. He tells me Prowl, and Optimus want to talk to me.
"I don't know," I tell the two, "you both know how she's doing. I can't plan several weeks ahead. Even if you schedule a beach day for next week, I don't know if she'll be ok."
"We can still plan a beach day, and you four can come if Jamie is doing ok," Optimus suggests.
"I don't think she'll be doing better in a week. I know three weeks still doesn't seem likely, but I don't want to exclude her," Prowl argues.
Neither does Optimus, but this is when it gets tricky. Jamie wouldn't want things like this not to happen because of her. We know we need to make Jamie do things. The challenge is getting a good balance between encouraging her and causing her to feel like she has no choice. How is forcing her helping?