Chapter 61 - A Year of Hours: Surprise

We choose our fates, and when fate has chosen, the countdown begins.

365:00

Location: Diego Garcia

(RPOV)

Ratchet onlined hurriedly, something felt wrong.

Kae was in her workspace, staring at a Jeep that even she wouldn't be able to fix. She was shaking, her spine rigidly straight but her shoulders bent. A broken femme trying so hard to keep herself in one piece. Ratchet scanned her for a long moment, weighing his options.

::. Let her be for a moment.:: Bumblebee sent quietly, startling Ratchet. The scout's spark had sounded precisely like he was sleeping. Sneaky. Ratchet utilized it immediately and noted that several of the other bots were watching Kae as well.

::. What do we do? I can't leave her broken!.:: Ratchet stated firmly.

::. Wait, watch.:: Bee murmured ::. if she doesn't turn her music on, she's going to start singing, and the second she does we'll know what she needs the most, it's sometimes the only way to tell how she's doing, by listening to what she's listening to, or singing.::

::. How do you know that?.:: Optimus demanded worriedly.

::. She's my sister.:: Bee shrugged, and his tone left absolutely no doubt that he was just as worried, watching her intently.

It was another forty seconds before her voice, barely more than a whisper reached them.

"I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me, to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes. I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me, to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes." she sang softly.

Kae reached forward and laid her hands on the jeep, seeming to fight just to stay upright. "You used to rock me in the cradle of your arms, you said you'd hold me til the pains of life were gone, you said you'd comfort me in times like these and now I need you, now I need you, and you are gone..." her voice, even as quiet as it was, broke.

She sounded so alone.

::. Ratchet, go hold her.:: Bumblebee commanded. ::. as you, as your holoform, whatever...::

Ratchet didn't need telling twice, he onlined his holoform behind Kae, catching her as she collapsed, shaking violently and desperately trying not to sob aloud.

"Let it out, daughter let it out," he rumbled desperately, cradling his assistant, his spark-daughter close to the holoform's chest. Her pain was so much his own. Hers, the loss of a father, his... his daughter.

Kae opened her mouth, seeming to try to compose herself before a harsh cry tore from her throat. Ratchet transformed immediately, walking over and collecting his spark-daughter into his hands, curling around her and surrounding her with the sound of his spark.

As he had for his Alia, when she was a hatchling.

(OPOV)

Kae rose silently, leaving his cab and walking toward the makeshift med-bay. Optimus began to bring a processor online to solidify his holoform.

::. NO!.:: Bumblebee commanded.

Optimus froze in shock as his scout brought him up short.

::. Please Sir! Let her be for a minute!.:: Bee sent over the private channels desperately.

::. Kae is grieving! She should not have to be alone!.:: Optimus stated firmly. He did, however, utilize the trick Bee was sending over the channel to the other bots, quieting his spark to sound as though he were recharging still.

::. She's not alone.:: Bee stated firmly ::. we all are watching her, but she doesn't express the depths of her emotions unless she thinks she's alone. You have to understand, Prime, Kae was never equipped to share emotions, she's trained to suppress and conceal them to keep others away, to hide those capsules. Now they're gone, as well as her entire family. She does't know how to handle it yet.::

::. A wounded creature does not announce that it is hurt, it hides away to lick it's wounds...:: Arcee murmured softly. ::. Poor Kae.::

Optimus sat, stewing irritably, he wanted to hold his Kae, to make it better.

::. I know it's hard.:: Bee murmured suddenly. ::. You wouldn't believe the number of times I've almost given myself up for want to go hold her. It's how I learned, anytime she thinks I'm asleep, that she's alone, that's when she shows the pain, she needs to get it out before you can make it better, sir.::

He listened, interested now as Bumblebee next dissuaded Ratchet from immediately going to Kae. He thought back to her dreams and realized that his scout was absolutely correct. Damn it. Finally, finally, Kae began singing. It was another wrench entirely to listen to the lyrics, she was speaking to her father.

::. Ratchet, go hold her.:: Bumblebee commanded. ::. as you, as your holoform, whatever...::

Ratchet's holoform was online the next second, catching Kae as she collapsed beneath her own mental burden. She was shaking, trying so hard to remain quiet. The Medi-bot's next words explained Bee's actions instantly.

"Let it out, daughter let it out," Ratchet rumbled desperately, and every bot knew precisely why as he transformed, striding over to cradle the tiny femme.

::. Just as he had Alia.:: Ironhide rumbled in a grieving tone. ::. Good call, Bee.::

::. Now when can we all go?.:: Arcee demanded, Optimus noted the way she needed to comfort not simply Kae, but Ratchet as well.

Bumblebee remained silent for a long moment.

::. Now.:: he murmured gently, transforming and rising with slow precision, Optimus followed him immediately, along with every last bot in the hangar.

"I am sitting here, wanting memories to teach me," Arcee sang softly, wheeling forward carefully and laying a hand on Ratchet's shoulder. "To see the beauty in the world through my own eyes."

Flareup and Chromia joined her in a successively more complex harmony. Oddly, their voices keeping harmony with the soft hum of everyone's sparks.

"I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me, to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes."

Kae's voice joined the harmony as she clung to Ratchet, leaving no doubt she could feel his pain as well.

"You used to rock me in the cradle of your arms, You said you'd hold me till the pains of life were gone, you said you'd comfort me in times like these and now I need you, now I need you, and you are gone... I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes. Since you've gone and left me, there's been so little beauty, but I know I saw it clearly through your eyes."

Optimus softly joined his own voice into the harmony, winding a gentle arm around Ratchet's shoulders. This was the easy part, the strength that grew as it was shared.

"Now the world outside is such a cold and bitter place, here inside I have few things that will console. And when I try to hear your voice above the storms of life then I remember, all the things that I was told..."

Kae continued to sing despite the tears streaming down her face, out of the corner of his optic, Optimus observed Will standing at the hangar doors, several of the soldiers just behind him. There were tears in both Jacobs' and Chance's eyes, Will silently gestured the men back, they faded respectfully into the dark.

Optimus turned his head slightly and caught Will's eyes, nodding his thanks.

Will shot him a gentle smile and nodded back before he retreated into the dark.

Kae's voice was getting a bit stronger, even as the tears remained. She clung to Ratchet even as the older Medic cradled her, rocking as he had Alia as a sparking. Each gathering strength from the other.

Gently, Optimus guided his earthbound unit to the centre of the hangar. Laying down in a pile of limbs and servos, sparks hummed together. The strength that was shared.

Kae never roused as sunlight touched the gathered mechs, Optimus watched her worriedly, looking at Ratchet.

::. Let her sleep.:: Ratchet sent gently. Optimus obediently transformed around her, laying her in his sleeper.

She stirred slightly and sighed, cuddling closer to him and slipping back into her recharge.

282:00

Location: Diego Garcia

I opened my eyes to see Optimus' holoform watching me carefully.

"I'm okay now," I whispered hoarsely. "I'm sorry."

"Love gives us strength," Optimus rumbled gently, "never apologize for being the kind, loving femme we cherish and respect." his holo wrapped me in his arms again. I closed my eyes and relaxed against him for a few minutes, gathering the strength to face the day.

Finally, I took a deep breath and looked up at him.

"I've been sleeping for four days," I stated calmly.

"You are allowed," Optimus rumbled calmly, "Though I will admit it has been nice to have the excuse to sit around myself."

"You shouldn't have to babysit me through a minor meltdown," I frowned.

"I do not have to," he cupped my cheek, "I wanted to."

"I love you too," I whispered, kissing the palm of his holoform.

"Good," he murmured, bending down to touch his lips to mine. I kissed him back lightly before carefully exiting the hammock. I dragged on a clean pair of jeans and tank top that had been set out at some point, stretching under-used muscles back into working condition.

"I hope Ratchet left some things for me to do," I stated with a small smile. "Gods but it would suck to be an assistant with nothing to assist on." I looked back at the smirking holo. I narrowed my eyes at him. "You lot made bets on how long it would take for me to be back to work, didn't you?"

"And also proved something," Optimus rumbled with a small laugh.

"What?" I frowned.

He sat up and snagged my belt in a flash, dragging me between his knees.

"That Primes do in fact, know everything," he grinned, snaring me in his arms and planting a kiss on my collar bone.

"Oh so you're keeping me here so that I reach my workstation at a precise time-stamp now?" I looked down at him, torn between irritation and amusement.

"Fifteen minutes," he nodded.

"Which is just enough time for me to go have a shower," I smirked at him.

"I took the time you'd take to go have a shower into account," he smirked back at me. His expression sobered slightly. "But there is also something I would like to ask you."

I raised my eyebrows at him as his holo morphed into a scale size of his bipedal form.

"Mikaela," he looked up at me with earnest blue optics, he hesitated for a moment. "Will you go for a drive with me later? To watch the sunset?"

"Our usual place?" I asked gently, caressing his face.

He nodded.

"Absolutely," I smiled, ducking down to first kiss his lips, then the plates covering his spark. "You know you don't even need to ask."

He pulled me close, holding me tightly for a long moment.

"So can I go shower now?" I teased him lightly. "Or is Ratchet going to win if I do?"

"Go on," he rumbled, his avatar winking out with a laugh.

I climbed stiffly out of the sleeper hatch, almost falling until Sideswipe's holo caught me, carefully setting me on my feet. He gave me a gentle hug before his holo winked out again. Bemused, I shook my head to clear the cobwebs and made a beeline for the showers.

Stripping down in the cubicle I glared at the shower before turning it on and letting the icy cold spray blast me into proper awareness.

At high speed I washed and conditioned my hair, running a bar of soap quickly over my pulse points and rinsing the soaps thoroughly away before shutting the water off again. My muscles screamed protest as I roughly dried myself off, flying into my clothes again.

Ten minutes precisely I was walking toward Ratchet, tying my hair up as I went.

"Morning Ratch," I called out when he'd lifted his hand away, "What's on the menu for today?"

"Three oil changes and a problem child," Ratchet rumbled, turning to look at me. "After you have eaten."

"Oh don't be a bully," I shot back at him, "I'll eat at noon when I'm certain I won't throw it back up again."

"At noon you will be 'halfway' through the problem child and claim you'll eat when you're finished, which will be at midnight." Ratchet stated grumpily, "Eat. Food. Now."

I glared up at the medi-bot, he glared back.

I caved first and rolled my eyes.

"Fine," I sighed. Ratchet smiled.

"It's good to have you back Kae."

I smiled up at him and jogged toward the mess hall.

"Ratchet won again?" Chance asked, handing me a tray.

"It's friggen impossible to win a staring contest with a being that has absolutely no need to blink." I grumbled, rolling my eyes.

"Then why bother?" Epps asked curiously.

"It's how they tell each other they care," Chance chuckled, I lightly jabbed my elbow into his ribs, he grinned and turned to Epps, holding a finger to his lips. "Shh, don't tell anyone."

I snorted, fighting back a laugh.

"We're sure she's not just a really pretty guy?" Chance asked over my head.

"Dunno man, when you're out here too long even your ugly face starts looking good," Epps replied, grinning.

"I'll leave you two ladies to your courtship then," I shot at them, drawing a cup of coffee from the percolator furthest to the right. The one that was always the strongest.

"Oh yeah, she's back," Lennox grinned, giving my shoulder a squeeze, "You coming for the run tomorrow?"

"After four days of laying down?" I grinned, "Gods, I'm going to have to carry you just to keep up with you guys."

Chance burst out laughing and looked at Lennox as we settled at the table.

"Just don't headbutt her boob, or she'll never let you live it down," he stated with an absolutely straight face before he burst out laughing again.

"Yeah yeah," Lennox chuckled, he turned to me. "So, being as it is now November 25th, my wife has ordered me to bring you for Christmas."

I stared at him with raised eyebrows, mouthing wordlessly.

"Thought you said you knew how many days you've been sleeping?" Epps nudged me, "C'mon, she does a brilliant spread."

"I can't put your family in that kind of danger!" I finally exclaimed.

"What danger? We've got the matrix, and the Decepticons are being quiet lately," Will shrugged, shooting me a half grin.

"No, not from the Decepticons," I murmured, biting my lip.

"You still keeping secrets?" Epps looked at me with a frown. I sighed.

"Not really, but the implementation of the information I was carrying will likely be taking effect in another orn... sorry two weeks. You know that picture of the unit I have hanging in my workspace?"

"The one where you lot are smiling, or the one where everybody looks so serious?"

"The serious one," I said quietly, habitually looking around with wary eyes. "Tinny wasn't in it because despite the fact she was dominant, she was a gentle, carefree, and loving girl. That photo was a plant. In two weeks time I was supposed to go underground. Brick never carried that photo, it was left in his hand."

"Wait, wait wait wait, who's going to come after you?" Chance asked firmly. I glanced at the news and did a double take. The news reel beneath was disturbing to say the least.

"Turn that up!" I shouted. One of the soldiers scrambled to obey.

"...with the new information which came to light after being presented by it's covert guardian, Miss Mikaela Banes," the President stated in a quiet, sober tone.

"Fuck," I whispered as everyone stared at me in shock. "Fuckfuckfuckfuckfuck!"

"Miss Banes risked her life repeatedly in the line of duty, despite having never been formally inducted into the military. Not only to protect the information which had been handed to her, but also to act as first contact, then ambassador to the Auto-bots." Obama paused and looked up from the lectern. "I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Banes on a personal level when she presented this information to us," he held up a sheaf of papers, "she gave the impression of being a brave, intelligent young woman. They say you can tell an individual's personality by their handshake. Her hands are strong, covered in grease, and anyone who shakes it can immediately tell she is one of the best exa-"

"Present Arms!" a voice commanded behind us. I stood frozen, staring at the television.

"At ease everyone, Mikaela?" I barely heard Moreshower's voice, staring at the screen in horror. A hand gripped my shoulder. I reacted instantly, grabbing the wrist and spinning to see my attacker.

"General!?" I half shouted in shock, releasing him. I turned back to the screen and whipped my head around. "I have to go! If the President is already acting on that information I need to go to ground now! FUCK! My run kit is in pieces! Idiot! Never get comfortable in any one place! Anywhere I am the people around me are in danger now!" I raged, beginning to stride at high speed toward the door.

"MIKAELA!" General Moreshower shouted, moving to quickly stand in front of me and catching my attention finally. "Calm down and listen to the rest of the broadcast!" he commanded sharply.

I took a deep, shuddering breath and turned back to the screen.

"With this information," the President stated with a proud lift of his head, "World peace will finally be a viable possibility. We will no longer have to live in fear of the destruction of the world at our own hands." there was a massive amount of cheering in the background of the broadcast. Someone hurriedly passed the president a note, Obama read it, tuned away from the microphones and began arguing softly, waving the note. He seemed to be asking for confirmation. The person looked up at him sadly and nodded. The president visibly sagged before he raised a hand for quiet.

"If I may have your attention, I have received some new information, unfortunately," he began, his voice taking on a truly sad tone. "Miss Mikaela Banes, the young woman who devoted her life to protecting these secrets was found murdered last night..." he reached up and rubbed his mouth before taking a shaky breath and looking up.

"I had hoped to personally award her the Medal of Honour and shake her hand once more," he said in a quiet, saddened tone. There was absolute silence in the background now. "I swear to these United States, and to the world. The United States of America will work tirelessly to make the sacrifice of her young life have meaning. She will be posthumously awarded the Medal of honour. If we could have a minute of silence, in remembrance of her bravery and kindness."

There was deathly silence as I collapsed onto the floor.

"I thought I did a fairly good job on that speech," Obama stated calmly behind me. "I had hoped to warn you before it came on though..."

"Who took care of my death?" I asked weakly.

"I did," Moreshower stated flatly. "The only people who know that the body being buried in the grave beside your father is nothing more than wood ash and crushed chimpanzee bones are standing in this room. I personally took care of it."

I took a deep breath and fought to still the violent tremors wracking my body.

"I'm dead," I whispered, I began laughing.